A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
2
June 21, 2018
Wayne to host series of games at Derby’s Alley
W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
Members of the Westland City
Council have unanimously
adopted a balanced 2018-19 fiscal
year budget of $66.9 million. The
budget includes no increases in
millage rates and adds to the
rainy day fund which is now in
excess of $7.3million.
“While the budget is conserva-
tive, it does include funding for
infrastructure improvements to
roads and water and sewer
mains as well as capital invest-
ments for parking lot improve-
ments and building renovations
at the Jefferson Barns
Community Vitality Center, a new
roof for Fire Station 4, lobby
improvements to the Mike
Modano Ice Arena and various
improvements at the Friendship
Senior Center,” remarked Mayor
WilliamR.Wild.
Key elements of the budget
include salaries for three fire-
fighters who have been paid
through federal grants which are
expiring. There is also a provi-
sion for an increase in overtime
allowance to help maintain criti-
cal coverage and a new EMS
unit.
In the police department, the
budget allows for the salaries of
four officers who have been
funded by federal grants which
have expired. There is funding,
too, for four additional dispatch-
ers for the city 911 center. That
cost will be divided by the four
communities who share the joint
dispatch services. The budget
also includes funding for body
cameras for all patrolmen, three
new police vehicles, radios and
bulletproof vests.
A replacement for the city
1999 Versa Lift tree trimming
truck is also included in the
budget as an expense in the city
Department of Public Service.
“My administration has
worked very closely with city
council in developing this year's
budget and I am proud to bring
forth my 12th consecutive bal-
anced budget as mayor. We are
continuing to make fiscally
responsible decisions that
improve quality of life for resi-
dents and provide high quality
municipal services, while
remaining mindful of legacy
costs and other financial chal-
lenges facing the city in the not
too distant future,” commented
Wild.
To address the unfunded pen-
sion liability, city council mem-
bers approved an additional
$300,000 contribution into the
MERS pension plan for general
employees.
The entire approved 2018-19
Fiscal Year Budget is now avail-
able at
.
Members of the Wayne City
Council have agreed to fund an
independent investigation of a
hostile work environment claim
filedby an employee in city hall.
Following discussion at a
closed session of the council
about a month ago, which report-
edly became somewhat con-
tentious, the question of funding
the investigation appeared on
the agenda of the regular council
meeting earlier this month.
While insiders noted that during
closed sessions, some members
of the council were opposed to
pursuing an investigation or
making such an action public,
others overrode that opposition
resulting in the agenda item at
the June 6 councilmeeting.
The expense was approved by
a 5-2 vote of the council members
with councilmen John Rhaesa
and Jeremiah Webster casting
the dissenting votes.
The employee complaint,
according to sources close to the
investigation, was filed against
two female city administrators by
amale department manager. The
complaint, according to an
informed source, claims that the
two women have created a "hos-
tile work environment" and cites
"harassment" of the man by the
two city officials.
Neither of the sources would
go on the record citing the confi-
dential nature of the investiga-
tion and the legal ramifications
inherent in the situation.
During the public meeting,
city attorney Breeda K. O'Leary-
Holder of Fausone-Bohn said
that at the direction of the city
council she had interviewed
three law firms qualified to per-
form an independent investiga-
tion of the allegations. She
declined to name the firm that
the city would ultimately use or
estimate a cost for the service.
She noted that one of the firms
had agreed to lower their normal
hourly rate from $385 to $250, but
that therewas no estimate of how
many hours the investigation
might involve. O'Leary-Holder
stressed that the investigation
would be confidential and that
the name of the firm or attorneys
hiredwouldnot bemade public.
No timeline for the investiga-
tionwas discussed.
Wayne residents are urged to
'play around' inDerby's Alley.
Wayne
Main
Street
Executive Director Maxwell
Cameron explained that the
organization will be hosting
weekly Outdoor Game Nights
from 6-9 p.m. in Derby's Alley
located at 34924 W. Michigan
Ave.
"The events are part of the
organization efforts to make
Derby's Alley a destination for
our community to gather, play,
and enjoy our unique down-
town. This event is offered to
the community for free,"
Cameron said.
Refreshments will be avail-
able for purchase and atten-
dees are invited to join in play-
ing yard games as well as tradi-
tional board and card games.
Games will include chess,
Connect Four, Apples to Apples,
Cornhole, Yard-zee, Giant
Jenga, and more," Cameron
said. Along with the games pro-
vided by Wayne Main Street,
attendees are encouraged to
bring their own favorite games
fromhome.
"This event serves as a great
opportunity to meet new
friends from our community,
learn new games, and share
strategies with other enthusi-
asts. We hope to see you
Wednesdays, through July 11 at
Derby's Alley," Cameron said.
I am proud to bring forth
my 12th consecutive
balanced budget as mayor.
”
Westland OKs balanced 2018-19 budget
Neither of the sources would go
on the record citing the confidential
nature of the investigation and
the legal ramifications
inherent in the situation.
”
Wayne funds investigation of employee complaint
