A heated discussion during Thursday’s Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission meeting could be described as bickering. Commissioners have submitted all district maps for court approval, but they still need to make a final report. Some thought that could be done by September, but others wanted more time. After they rejected proposals for a deadline on either Dec. 31 or Dec. 15, commissioners finally agreed to have their report complete by Dec. 1.
Two prominent agencies are looking to fill their top leadership positions. The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners continues searching for a board secretary, interviewing all-new candidates at its last meeting. Mental health provider Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network needs to find a new CEO, though not before it awarded outgoing CEO Eric Doeh a $45,000 bonus.
At the health agency’s board meeting on Thursday, Board of Police Commissioners chair Darryl Woods chimed in during public comment. In response to recent violence in Detroit and Wayne County, he asked how the two agencies can work together to “deliver services to our young people to be able to give them some hope.”
The Wayne County Commission approved a contract for a free employee shuttle service at the new, long-delayed Wayne County Criminal Justice Center. But Documenters were struck by the approximately 60 measures totaling tens of millions of dollars that commissioners approved with minimal discussion. Most of that discussion typically occurs in committee meetings , but maybe it would be good for commissioners to at least review what was talked about for those who are just tuning in.
Policing
Commissioners proceeded last week with a new round of applicants for board secretary , interviewing three of their top five candidates for the executive position. Acting Board Secretary Robert Brown told Outlier Media that all board members were asked to submit candidates from the 17 applications received by the city’s Human Resources Department . Commissioners selected eight applicants to be interviewed. Six of those eight confirmed, and one later withdrew from consideration.
All were asked the exact same questions, including, “What can you tell us about police oversight?” The first candidate said it meant making sure “each employee, each police officer” makes it home safe after a day at work. The second replied that police oversight meant making sure police officers show up when a civilian calls for help. The third candidate said it meant fulfilling the board’s duties as established in the city charter: setting policies and reviewing citizen complaints.
Questions were not supplied in advance, but commissioners commented that the third candidate had read many of her answers from written notes, which was allowed. The two remaining candidates are expected to appear and be interviewed at this week’s board meeting on Thursday . The board interviewed two other people for the position in May but did not move forward with either candidate.
7/18/2024 Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, documented by Meghan Rutigliano and Paige Rollins
For more on the Board of Police Commissioners, check out the latest BOPC Watch .
Politics
Wayne County commissioners moved swiftly through their agenda last week, approving items without much discussion or dissent. By approving a more than $3 million service contract with Warren-based Lavdas Enterprises, commissioners secured free parking and shuttle services for employees at the county’s new Criminal Justice Center . The contract expires Sept. 30, 2027, with options to renew. Gregory Hurst, director of Wayne County’s Facilities Management and Planning division anticipates the 24-hour service will begin as employees move into the Criminal Justice Center, starting with the Prosecutor’s Office on Aug. 9. Commissioner Tim Killeen said he was “delighted” there would be no parking or shuttle costs for employees.
7/18/2024 Wayne County Full Commission, documented by Benjamin Haddix and Noah Levinson
7/15/2024 Highland Park City Council: The council approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Highland Park Command Officers Association, affiliated with Teamsters Local 214. Residents expressed safety and cleanliness concerns, citing break-ins, drug-dealing and improper waste disposal.
Documented by Brianna Dorrough and Colleen Cirocco
7/16/2024 Detroit City Council Formal Session: Councilmembers debated a proposed ordinance that would prosecute hosts and organizers of parties and unlawful gatherings. A public hearing and possible vote was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, before the council’s summer recess.
Documented by Heather Alder
For more on City Council, check out Malachi Barrett’s City Council Notebook at BridgeDetroit.
7/18/2024 Detroit Human Rights Commission: Commissioners postponed officer elections and approval of newly drafted bylaws because they lacked access to their current bylaws and were unsure of proper procedures.
Documented by Lauren Ridenour and Nathaniel Eichenhorn
Health
7/17/2024 Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Board of Directors: The board voted to award outgoing CEO Eric Doeh a $45,000 bonus. The search committee for the next CEO plans to make a formal recommendation on Aug. 31. In the meantime, Manny Singla is interim CEO .
Documented by Meg Krausch and Perry Sylvester
Education
7/17/2024 Wayne County Community College District Board of Trustees: The board heard presentations on the Summer Water Research Project — testing water in the Detroit River for heavy metals and E. coli — and the successes of the college’s paralegal program.
Documented by Nathaniel Eichenhorn, Shaheda Jenkins and Shiva Shahmir
Elections
7/18/2024 Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Full Commission: Commissioners have finished drawing all district maps , and state Senate maps are awaiting court approval. After a heated discussion, commissioners set a due date of Dec. 1 for dissenting opinions to be included in a report.
Documented by A J Johnson and Amber Umscheid
This story was written by Outlier Media’s Lynelle Herndon and Noah Kincade, with Detroit Documenters Amber Umscheid, Meghan Rutigliano, Nathaniel Eichenhorn and Perry Sylvester.
Free parking, shuttle service for staff at new jail to cost Wayne County more than $3 million · Outlier Media
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