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PAGE 2 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN April 6, 2023

ROMULUS - SUMPTER
ROMULUS - SUMPTER

Attorney clarifies

new privacy policy

In response to a question during the ing information, those sorts of things. It
public comment portion of the March 28 doesn't deal with policies or actions of
meeting of the Sumpter Township Board the township board, it just deals with MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
of Trustees, township attorney Rob sensitive information,” he said. “It March 6, 2023
Young clarified the specifics of the confi- relates to medical reasons an employee Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd, Romulus, MI 48174
dentiality agreement recently approved might be off work for a period of time. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem John Barden.
by the board members. We as a township have to be given this Pledge of Allegiance
The questioner expressed concern information. You just don't want that Roll Call
Present: John Barden, Celeste Roscoe, Tina Talley, William Wadsworth, Virginia Williams,
that the new policy could conflict with information shared,” Young explained. Absent / Excused: Kathy Abdo
the current federal Open Meetings Act. He said this was an effort to protect Eva Webb attended the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Young explained that there apparently the privacy of residents who utilize town- Administrative Officials in Attendance:
Robert McCraight, Mayor
was misinformation being circulated ship services for licenses, permits and Stacy Paige, Treasurer
about the new policy and that it in no other applications on which sensitive D'Sjonaun Hockenhull, Deputy Clerk
way conflicted with current law or material might be required for identifi- Administrative Staff in Attendance:
Stephen Hitchcock - City Attorney; Kevin Krause - Director of Community Safety & Development;
changed any information available to the cation. He compared the policy to the Carol Maise - City Planner; Jeffrey Kemp - Director of Building & Planning; Jerome Frayer - DDA
public. current medical HIPPA laws which pro- Director; Derran Shelby - Deputy Police Chief; Kenneth Chapman - Deputy Fire Chief; Maria Lambert
- Director of Resident Services
“We are subject to the disclosure of tect the privacy of medical information. 1. Agenda
documents that we call FOIA (Freedom Young added that the scope of confi- A. Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by Celeste Roscoe, to accept the Agenda as presented.
of Information Act) requests. This doesn't dential information should have been Motion Carried Unanimously
Councilwoman Webb attended the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
change that. Things that the public are defined a “little better.” 2. Minutes
not entitled to under FOIA for whatever “We're going through that,” he said. A. Res. #23-050 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Tina Talley, to approve the Minutes
reason, those are our concern,” he “This policy doesn't create any further from the Regular Meeting held on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
explained. layer of protection and it doesn't pertain B. Motion Carried Unanimously
Res. #23-051 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Tina Talley, to approve the Minutes
“This is a backstop to employees who to every employee. It just pertains to from the Special Meeting - Study Session held on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 6:45 p.m. to
have access to confidential information employees that are dealing that kind of discuss the amendments to The Fairways at Gateway PDA site plan. Motion Carried Unanimously
such as Social Security numbers, bank- sensitive information.” 3. Petitioner
Petitioner: Rino Soave, Infinity Homes & Co.
A.
Petition: Approval of Preliminary PDA Site Plan & Preliminary Condominium Plans
Budget includes raises Council members asked follow-up questions to the Petitioner stemming from the February 27th
Special Meeting presentation.
A resident requested that the Council delay action on Infinity Homes' petition until the developer
completes work on other subdivisions.
for elected officials Res. #23-052 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Eva Webb to concur with the
recommendation of the Planning Commission and approve PDA-2020-001; Fairways at Gateway
amended Preliminary PDA Site Plan and First Amendment to the pDA Agreement subject to
conditions identified in the consultant and department reports. Motion Carried Unanimously
Res. #23-053 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Eva Webb to concur with the recommendation
of the Planning Commission and approve SPR-2022-013; the Bluffs at Gateway Preliminary
Members of the Sumpter Township percent raises for officials. During the Condominium Plan. Motion Carried Unanimously
Board of Trustees approved the 2023- public comment section of the agenda, a Res. #23-054 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Virginia Williams, to concur with the
2024 budget at the March 28 meeting- resident inquired as to the exact recommendation of the Planning Commission and approve SPR-2022-014; Oakmont at Gateway
Preliminary Condominium Plan. Motion Carried Unanimously
with dissenting votes from Trustee amount of the proposed new salaries 4. Chairperson's Report, John Barden, Mayor Pro-Tem
Peggy Morgan and Trustee Don for elected officials. A. Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley, to accept the Chairperson's Report.
LaPorte. “What is the compensation going to Motion Carried Unanimously
While final budget numbers were not be after this? Maybe some of us are 5. Mayor's Report - Robert A. McCraight, Mayor
Res. #23-055 Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by Virginia Williams, to concur with the
A.
available at press time, the new finan- interested in running for office and we Administration and approve the sub-recipient agreement with Wayne County for HUD Community
cial plan was praised by Township would like to know what the salary is,” Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the FYs 2022 to 2023 in the amount of $20,000.00.
Manager Anthony Burdick. Burdick told she said. B. Motion Carried Unanimously
Res. #23-056 Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by Eva Webb, to concur with the Administration
the board members that the budget this In response, officials explained that and approve the following appointment and reappointment to the Downtown Development
year “protects and maintains the trustees are currently paid $22,000 a Authority: Derrick Steve Harmon, with a term to expire on July 31, 2026, Randy Moffat with a term
integrity of the general fund and allows year and the 5-percent increase would to expire February 5, 2027, Brian Bush with a term to expire March 11, 2027, and the appointment
of Craig Greca with a term to expire August 26, 2023. Motion Carried Unanimously
for strategic initiatives and planning for take that to $23,100 annually. C. Res. #23-057 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Tina Talley to concur with the
the first time as well as setting up a cap- The treasurer and clerk currently Administration authorize no-fee permits for all Rumble in Romulus activities beginning Friday, July
ital project fund.” make $30,000 annually and the 5-per- 28th at 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. followed by
a brunch at a local Romulus restaurant on Sunday, July 30th as well as a road closure of Goddard
He added that the budget will allow cent increase would raise that to Road between Shook Road and sterling Street beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29th and
the township officials to respond to $31,500. The township supervisor's ending at 10:00 p.m. that evening for the Second Annual Rumble in Romulus "Bike Night" event.
inevitable situations such as the recent salary is $38,000 and the increase will D. Motion Carried Unanimously
Res. #23-058 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley to concur with the
repairs at township hall. take that amount to $39,000 annually. Administration and extend RFP 19/20-04 with CivicPlus LLC with the addition of CivicPlus FOIA
While specifics of the budget were The motion for the salary increases Management Software (administered by Next Request LLC) for a two (2) year commitment the
not publicly discussed at the meeting, was approved by a roll call vote of the amount of $16,776.00 to be paid annually at $8,388.00 beginning in FY 2023/2024.
Motion Carried Unanimously
an agenda item included approval of 5 trustees. E. Res. #23-059 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Celeste Roscoe, to concur with the
Administration and introduce Budget Amendment 22/23-12 to recognize federal funding and allocate
additional funds for costs associated with the acceptance of the 2023 SAFER grant and the hiring of
Firefighters to be honored six (6) additional firefighter positions in accordance with the "Period Performance" for the grant
beginning March 20, 223.

Hometown heroes in the city of recognizing their contributions at the
Romulus will be honored during a spe- Appreciation Ceremony,” said Deputy
cial ceremony April 21. Chief Ken Chapman.
A Firefighter Appreciation Ceremony Chapman, who was a paid-on-call
is planned at the Romulus Athletic firefighter in the city in 1987 under for-
Center to recognize new additions to the mer Fire Chief William Greenslait, was
fire department as well as the recently named to his new rank in the
Firefighter of the Year and the department.
Paramedic of the Year. The Life Saving The appreciation ceremony is
Award and Chief's Medal will also be planned for 5 until 7 p.m. April 21 in the
presented during the event, hosted by Cirrus Banquet Room at Romulus
the Romulus Public Safety Foundation. Athletic Center, located at 35765
“This year's appreciation ceremony is Northline Road in Romulus. For more
unique in so many ways. This is the first information about the ceremony, contact
year that the Romulus Public Safety the Romulus Fire Department at (734) Motion Carried Unanimously
Foundation will be hosting the event. 941-8585. F. Res. #23-060 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Virginia Williams, to concur with the
Our newly appointed Deputy Chief Ken Firefighters with the City of Romulus Administration and introduce Budget Amendment 22/23-13 to recognize additional fees for
Chapman will carry on the tradition of Fire Department are trained and certi- engineering reimbursements.
the ceremony,” said Kevin Krause, direc- fied by the State of Michigan and are on
tor of Community Safety & Development. always on duty, prepared for emergen-
“The Romulus Fire Department cies involving fire, extrication, severe
Firefighter Appreciation Ceremony weather, rescues, hazardous material
presents a great opportunity to acknowl- and other dangerous situations, a
edge the men and women who serve this spokesman noted.
community as your first responders. For more information about the
Each of these dedicated individuals con- Romulus Public Safety Foundation, visit
tribute to the core values and mission of RomPSF on Facebook or www.romu- Motion Carried Unanimously
Res. #23-061 Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by William Wadsworth to concur with the
G.
the department. I am looking forward to luspsf.square.site. Administration and authorize the sole source purchase and installation of 26 Falcon Camera Systems
from Flock Group Inc. for the City of Romulus Police Department at a total cost of $146,100.00
under the terms of Sole Source Purchases Exception in Section 39-11(d)(1)c.1 of the City of
Romulus Purchasing Ordinance. Motion Carried Unanimously
Charges prosecuted.” 6. Clerk's Report - Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk - See Clerk's Office for a complete copy of the Minutes
7. Treasurer's Report - Stacy Paige, Treasurer - See Clerk's Office for a complete copy of the Minutes
“We have been charging and holding
defendants accountable for their 8. Public Comment
A resident addressed the Council to announce the Family Fun event on March 12th, sponsored by St.
FROM PAGE 1 unscrupulous criminal behavior for John's Lodge and hosted by the Romulus Lanes.
almost two decades. It amazes me that DDA Director Jerry Frayer informed the residents that the city's chipper service had been extended
to March 14th and to contact the DPW to be placed on the chipper list.
felonies with a maximum penalty of five despite this, corruption continues 9. Unfinished Business - None
years in prison. because corrupters think they will 10. New Business - None
All three have been suspended from never be held to account,” said Worthy. 11. Communication - See Clerk's Office for a complete copy of the Minutes
their employment with the county, with “In this case, these three defendants Res. #23-062 Moved by Virginia Williams, seconded by William Wadsworth to adopt a resolution
disapproving of the injection well from Republic Waste Services and urging support from county and
pay. allegedly knowingly accepted money state officials to terminate its operations. Motion Carried Unanimously
“We continue our commitment to from the county in the form of wages Res. #23-063 Moved by Virginia Williams, seconded by William Wadsworth to adopt a resolution
hold employees accountable who mis- that they did not deserve. There is noth- petitioning EGLE to re-open the public comment period on the renewal of Republic Waste Service
permits. Motion Carried Unanimously
use Wayne County taxpayer dollars. The ing right about this.” 12. Adjournment
employees charged today showed a bla- Defendants VanPeeren and Whorton Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Virginia Williams, to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
tant lack of integrity and respect for the were arraigned on March 28 in 34th Motion Carried Unanimously
residents that we serve,” said Wayne District Court before Judge Brian I, Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk for the City of Romulus, Michigan, certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the
County Executive Warren C. Evans. “My Oakley and given a $1,000 personal minutes of the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council held on March 6, 2023.
office will continue to collaborate with bond. Everhart was arraigned before
Prosecutor Worthy and local and state 34th District Court Magistrate Al
officials to ensure that everyone Hindman and received a $10,000 per- Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, City Clerk
involved in this egregious operation is sonal bond. City of Romulus, Michigan RM0727 - 040623 2.5 x 18.605