HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.04.30 - 42831
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 12 East, Pontiac, MI 48341
Board of Commissioners
David T. Woodward, Chair
April 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM
MINUTES
1. Call Meeting to Order
Chair David T. Woodward called the meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at
6:01 PM in the Commissioners' Auditorium 1200 N. Telegraph Road, 12E, Pontiac, MI
48341.
2. Roll Call
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert
Hoffman, Brendan Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham,
William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz, Linnie
Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward (17)
MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Michael Gingell, Yolanda Smith Charles (2)
3. Invocation - Linnie Taylor
4. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
5. Approval of Minutes
a. Board of Commissioners - dated April 8, 2026
Board Action #2026-6510 _
Penny Luebs moved approval of the Minutes dated April 8, 2026, as
presented. Seconded by Robert Smiley.
Motion Passed.
A voice vote was conducted and a sufficient majority having voted in favor, the
Minutes dated April 8, 2026, were approved, as presented.
6. Approval of Agenda
Christine Long moved approval of the Agenda, as presented. Seconded by Linnie
Taylor.
Christine Long moved to amend the Agenda to place Consent Agenda item - Public
Health and Safety Committee - Public Services - Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption
Center - Request to Adopt the Revised Fee Structure to Establish a Uniform Late
Fee and Updated Expiration Dates for Delinquent Dog Licenses on the Regular
Agenda. Seconded by Penny Luebs.
Discussion followed.
Charles Cavell moved to amend the Agenda to place Consent Agenda items -
Finance Committee - Clerk/Register of Deeds - Exception to Purchasing Policy –
Contract Extension with IdentiSys Inc. for Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Card
Printers, Maintenance, and Consumables and Public Health and Safety Committee
- Sheriff’s Office - Acceptance of Donation from the Fugle Foundation for the
Sheriff's Office Motor Unit on the Regular Agenda. Seconded by Christine Long.
.
Christine Long moved approval of the Agenda, as amended. Seconded by Linnie
Taylor.
A voice vote was conducted and with unanimous support, the Agenda was approved as
amended.
7. Presentations
c. Board of Commissioners - Presentation - State of the Circuit Court and
State of the Probate Court
Board Action #2026-6336 _
The Honorable Jeffery Matis, Chief Circuit Judge and the Honorable Jennifer
Callaghan, Chief Probate Judge addressed the Board to give a presentation
entitled: State of the Circuit Court and State of the Probate Court, followed by a
short Q & A session.
a. Board of Commissioners - Proclamation — Javien Johnson
Board Action #2026-6519 _
Commissioner Penny Luebs addressed the Board to present a proclamation
honoring Javien Johnson, whose documentary “All Men Are Created Equal? An
Ongoing Conversation” earned honorable mention in the national C-SPAN
StudentCam national video documentary competition out of 4,000 submissions,
signaling the depth and importance of his documentary film-making achievement.
Javien Johnson addressed the Board.
b. Board of Commissioners - Proclamation - Erynna Holbrook
Board Action #2026-6520 _
Commissioners Ann Erickson Gault and Penny Luebs presented a proclamation
honoring Erynna Holbrook for earning the national grand prize in the 2026
C-SPAN StudentCam documentary competition. Her award-winning film, The
Pursuit of Fair Pay, explores the connection between the Declaration of
Independence and modern NIL rights, marking the first time a Michigan student
has received the competition’s top honor.
Erynna Holbrook addressed the Board.
8. Communications
a. Board of Commissioners - Grant Exception Letter dated April 30, 2026
Board Action #2026-6532 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from Chair David Woodward notifying the Board that he
has authorized the submission of the following grant applications:
Grant Name: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant
Department: Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland County Prosecuting
Office, and the Pretrial and Justice Services Department
Amount: $75,818
Grant Application Deadline: April 28, 2026
Grant Name: Public Safety and Mental Health Court Bureau of Justice
Assistance (BJA) Grant
Department: 52-1 District Court
Amount: $1,766,836
Grant Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
b. Board of Commissioners - CE Appointment - Land Bank Authority
Board Action #2026-6517 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from David Coulter, Oakland County Executive,
authorizing the appointment of T. Scott Galloway to serve as a designee to the
Land Bank Authority.
c. Executive's Office - CE Appointment - Oakland County Zoological Authority
Board Action #2026-6515 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from David Coulter, Oakland County Executive,
authorizing the reappointment of Ms. Jennifer M. Grieco and Ms. Elizabeth Howe
as representatives and Ms. Gretchen Parks as alternate to Ms. Grieco and Mr.
Richard Strenger as alternate to Ms. Howe, to the Oakland County Zoological
Authority Board. These appointments are effective immediately and shall
continue until May 1, 2028, or until a successor is appointed and qualified.
d. Board of Commissioners - Resignation from Oakland Community Health
Network
Board Action #2026-6516 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from Douglas Jones, announcing his resignation from the
Board of Oakland Community Health Network, effective April 21, 2026.
e. Board of Commissioners - Appointments to the Oakland County Zoological
Authority
Board Action #2026-6559 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from Chair David Woodward appointing the following
individuals to serve on the Oakland County Zoological Authority for a one-year
term ending May 1, 2027:
APPOINTEES ALTERNATES
Alex Cooper Tameka Ramsey
Millie Hall Helaine Zack
Brandon Kolo Robert Kalman
f. Board of Commissioners - Appointments to the Oakland County Art
Institute Authority
Board Action #2026-6560 _
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, addressed the Board to
read a communication from Chair David Woodward appointing the following
individuals to serve on the Oakland County Art Institute Authority for a four-year
term ending May 31, 2030:
APPOINTEES
Dr. Swarn Rajpal
Jennifer Miller
Jenny Brown
Linnie Taylor moved to receive and file the attached Communications and
Presentations and confirm the appointments. Seconded by Christine Long.
A voice vote was conducted and a sufficient majority having voted in favor, the
Communications and Presentations were received and filed, and the
appointments confirmed.
9. Public Comment
The following people addressed the Board during Public Comment #1: Angana Shah,
Margarette Gupta, Phillip Decker, Nancy Poprafsky and Laura Vogel.
Reports of Standing Committees
Consent Agenda
All items on the Consent Agenda Passed.
Penny Luebs moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolutions
on the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Philip Weipert.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (17-0-0)
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan
Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III,
Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip
Weipert, David Woodward
No: None
Abstain: None
10. Finance Committee - Gwen Markham
a. Fiscal Services - Fiscal Year 2025 Deficit Elimination Plan
Board Action #2026-6459 _
Approve submission of the attached Deficit Elimination Plan to the
Michigan Department of Treasury.
b. Equalization - 2026 Equalization Report
Board Action #2026-6485 _
Approve the 2026 Equalization Report and accompanying tabular statement
as prepared by the Equalization Director; authorize the Chairperson of the
Board to certify and transmit the tabular statement to the Secretary of the
State Tax Commission on or before the first Monday in May; and direct that
the 2026 Equalization Report be entered into the County records and
delivered to the appropriate official of each township or city.
c. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of Lyon Township DDA “Music on
the Grand” Summer Concert Series
Board Action #2026-6396 _
Approve a one-time allotment of $5,000 from the FY 2026 Board of
Commissioners’ General Fund Sponsorship line-item budget to sponsor
the Lyon Township Downtown Development Authority’s Music on the
Grand Summer Concert Series. Further, authorize the Board Chair to
execute any required agreements on behalf of Oakland County.
Additionally, require that the recipient publicly promote the County’s
support as a Series Sponsor and submit an impact report to the Board of
Commissioners by the end of the calendar year, detailing the outcomes of
the concert series, including attendance, participation, and the number of
Oakland County residents served.
d. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of 2026 Tri-County Summit
Board Action #2026-6477 _
Approve a one-time allotment of $5,000 from the FY 2026 Board of
Commissioners’ General Fund Sponsorship line-item budget to support the
Tri-County Summit, hosted in collaboration with the Wayne, Oakland, and
Macomb County Boards of Commissioners. Further, authorize the Board
Chair to execute any required agreements on behalf of Oakland County.
Additionally, require that the recipient ensure appropriate recognition of
the County’s support and submit an outcomes report to the Board of
Commissioners by the end of the calendar year, detailing the results of the
Summit, including participation, regional engagement, and the impact on
Oakland County residents.
11. Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee - Brendan Johnson
a. Clerk/Register of Deeds - Grant Acceptance with the State of Michigan
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for the 2026 Oakland
County Survey and Remonumentation Grant
Board Action #2026-6463 _
Authorize acceptance of the 2026 Survey and Remonumentation Grant for
the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in the amount of
$158,513; further, appoint the County Clerk/Register of Deeds as the Grant
Administrator, as required by the State; further, authorize the Chair of the
Board of Commissioners to execute the grant agreement and approve
amendments and extensions within fifteen percent (15%) of the original
award, consistent with the original agreement as approved; further, amend
the budget as reflected in the attached Schedule A - Budget Amendment.
b. Parks & Recreation - Pine Lake Park Affiliation Agreement between the
County of Oakland and the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
Commission
Board Action #2026-6207 _
Approve the Pine Lake Affiliation Agreement between the County of
Oakland and the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission for a
term beginning with the date of execution until June 30, 2043; further,
authorize the Chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to
execute the agreement; further amend the budget pursuant to the attached
Schedule A - Budget Amendment.
12. Public Health and Safety Committee - Penny Luebs
a. Probate Court - Request to Create One (1) GF/GP FTE Court Clerk
Coordinator Position
Board Action #2026-6415 _
Approve the request to create one (1) GF/GP FTE Court Clerk Coordinator
Position in the Probate Admin Division (#3040101); further, amend the FY
2026 - 2028 budget as detailed in the attached Schedule A.
b. Sheriff’s Office - Request for a New Position Pilot Program and Existing
Position Modifications
Board Action #2026-6474 _
Approve the creation of thirty (30) GF/GP FTE Deputy II positions for a pilot
program with a sunset date of September 30, 2027; further, implement the
changes for the currently existing PTNE positions as proposed in the
attached Schedule B; further, amend the FY 2026 - 2027 budget as detailed
in the attached Schedule A.
Regular Agenda
13. Finance Committee - Gwen Markham
a. Clerk/Register of Deeds - Exception to Purchasing Policy – Contract
Extension with IdentiSys Inc. for Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Card
Printers, Maintenance, and Consumables
Board Action #2026-6504 _
Gwen Markham moved to approve the contract exception submitted
pursuant to Section 2400.6 of the Oakland County Purchasing Policy and
authorize the extension of the existing contract, including a contract with
IdentiSys Inc. for the Clerk/Register of Deeds – County Clerk Division
through March 16, 2027 for Concealed Pistol License (CPL) card printers,
maintenance, and consumables. Seconded by Christine Long.
Discussion followed.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (15-2-0)
Yes: Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan
Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William
Miller III, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip
Weipert, David Woodward
No: Charles Cavell, Kristen Nelson
Abstain: None
14. Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee - Brendan Johnson
a. Board of Commissioners - Funding Appropriation for Milestone #1 of the
Oakland County Student Debt Relief Initiative with SAVI Solutions PBC
Board Action #2026-6479 _
Brendan Johnson moved to authorize a one-time appropriation in the amount
not-to-exceed $150,000 from the General Fund/General Purpose (GFGP)
Unassigned Fund Balance to the Board of Commissioner Department –
Professional Services account to support the milestone-based funding
structure outlined in contract No. 011039, milestone #1 with SAVI Solutions
PBC; further, amend the FY 2026 – 28 budget as detailed in the attached
Schedule A. Seconded by Penny Luebs.
i) Board of Commissioners - Markham Amendment #1
Board Action #2026-6521 _
Gwen Markham moved to authorize a one-time appropriation in the amount
not-to-exceed $150,000 from the General Fund Strategic Investment Plan
Assigned Fund Balance (GL #383554) General Fund/General Purpose
(GFGP) Unassigned Fund Balance to the Board of Commissioner
Department – Professional Services account to support the milestone-
based funding structure outlined in contract No. 011039, milestone #1 with
SAVI Solutions PBC; further, amend the FY 2026 – 28 budget as detailed in
the attached schedule A. Seconded by Angela Powell.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (14-3-0)
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Brendan Johnson,
Karen Joliat, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson,
Angela Powell, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward
No: Robert Hoffman, Christine Long, Robert Smiley
Abstain: None
Discussion followed.
Returning to vote on Main Motion: Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (11-6-0)
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Brendan Johnson,
Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell,
Linnie Taylor, David Woodward
No: Robert Hoffman, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz,
Philip Weipert
Abstain: None
b. Board of Commissioners - Appointment to the Jury Board
Board Action #2026-6487 _
Brendan Johnson moved to appoint Aaron Martinez to the Jury Board,
pursuant to the Circuit Court recommendation, for a six-year term
beginning May 1, 2026, until April 30, 2032. Seconded by Ann Erickson Gault.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (17-0-0)
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman,
Brendan Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham,
William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz,
Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward
No: None
Abstain: None
15. Public Health and Safety Committee - Penny Luebs
a. Public Services - Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center - Request to Adopt
the Revised Fee Structure to Establish a Uniform Late Fee and Updated
Expiration Dates for Delinquent Dog Licenses
Board Action #2026-6442 _
Penny Luebs moved to approve the request to adopt the revised fee
structure to establish a uniform late fee and updated expiration dates for
delinquent dog licenses effective June 2, 2026; further, any County
department authorized to sell dog licenses is directed to implement and
administer this policy. Seconded by Linnie Taylor.
Discussion followed.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (11-6-0)
Yes: Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Brendan Johnson, Penny Luebs,
Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Michael Spisz,
Linnie Taylor, David Woodward
No: Charles Cavell, Robert Hoffman, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Robert Smiley,
Philip Weipert
Abstain: None
b. Sheriff’s Office - Acceptance of Donation from the Fugle Foundation for the
Sheriff's Office Motor Unit
Board Action #2026-6473 _
Penny Luebs moved to accept the donation from the Fugle Foundation for
the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit in the amount of $90,000;
further, amend the FY 2026 budget as detailed in the attached Schedule A.
Seconded by Robert Hoffman.
Discussion followed.
Motion Passed.
Vote Summary (14-3-0)
Yes: Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Karen Joliat,
Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Angela Powell,
Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward
No: Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Kristen Nelson
Abstain: None
16. New & Miscellaneous Business
g. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of 34th Annual Milford Memories
Summer Festival
Board Action #2026-6522 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
h. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of American Legion Post 14 Blues,
Brews and Cruise Car Show
Board Action #2026-6523 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
j. Board of Commissioners - Resolution Renaming Portions of Dixie Highway
in Oakland County and Select Roadways in the City of Pontiac
Board Action #2026-6470 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Economic Development &
Infrastructure Committee. There were no objections.
i. Board of Commissioners - Support for the HIRE! Pontiac Pre-Engineering
Summer Internship Program
Board Action #2026-6475 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
a. Board of Commissioners - Resolution to Establish a One-Year Moratorium
on the Acquisition and Expansion of Surveillance Technology in Oakland
County
Board Action #2026-6551 _
Charles Cavell moved to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of
Item 16a.
Discussion followed.
The motion failed for lack of a second.
b. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of Lyon Events Organization (LEO)
International Kitefest
Board Action #2026-6553 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
c. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of Schools Offer Support (SOS) 7th
Annual Strides for SOS 5k Race & Walk
Board Action #2026-6554 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
d. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of the Orion Art Center 2026
Dragon on the Lake Festival
Board Action #2026-6555 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
e. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of Oxford Township Parks &
Recreation First Responder Appreciation Event
Board Action #2026-6556 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
f. Board of Commissioners - Sponsorship of Friends of Downtown Highland
2026 Red, White & Blues Festival
Board Action #2026-6557 _
The Chair referred the Board Action to the Finance Committee. There were no
objections.
17. Announcements
Gwen Markham addressed the Board to clarify that the seven year-end negative fund
balances were due to grant-funded programs where expenses are paid upfront and
reimbursed later. She noted this is a deficit-elimination process, with reimbursement
expected within a few months.
Charles Cavell addressed the Board to state that his friend’s mother helped coordinate the
Schools Offer Support (SOS) 7th Annual Strides for SOS 5K Race & Walk and clarified
that he has no personal benefit related to the event.
18. Public Comment
The following people addressed the Board during Public Comment #2: Danielle Mallon,
Jessica Mehalick, Miriam Blanks-Smart, Kermit Williams, Jenna Lindsay, Jackie Myers.
Chair David Woodward called a recess at 7:50 PM.
Chair David Woodward called the Board to reconvene at 8:28 PM.
Roll Call
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert
Hoffman, Brendan Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham,
William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Michael Spisz, Linnie
Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward (17)
MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Michael Gingell, Yolanda Smith Charles (2)
The following people addressed the Board during Public Comment #2: David Buzynski,
Martha Szilagyi, Sharon Trumpy, Sam Garin, Paul Bateman, Rey Brault, Jake Heykoop,
Murryum Farooqi, Mike Wise, Samantha Hunt, Laurie Evans, Kevin Grimm, Alexis
Chromy, Ann Lehman, Justine Galbraith, Mike Flores, Cullen Black, Heather Hadley, Ellie
Mosher, Taya Lyons, Nancy Poprafsky, Laura Vogel, Veronica Taylor, Margarette Gupta,
Phillip Decker, Robin McGregor, Anna Morris, Cynthia Shard, Addison Grady, Michele
Poppe, Jill Dunphy, Danielle Blanchard, Steven Allen Camber, Sara Stumph, Tracy
Gabbert, Ann Radke, and Chris Garr.
19. Adjournment to May 21, 2026, or the Call of the Chair
The meeting adjourned at 10:14 PM.
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.