[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6544364,"mediaKeyId","3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99","parentId",3750612,"title","Board upholds FOIA fee for bridge engineering request; finance director briefs trustees on bridge revenues and major costs","audioSeconds",3660,"startMs",3720000,"endMs",7380000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99&start=3720&end=7380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544364/Michigan/Board-upholds-FOIA-fee-for-bridge-engineering-request-finance-director-briefs-trustees-on-bridge-revenues-and-major-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544364-44e6e5122749d75fe1d4908c4a31d084/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=A8HklmHBW6Kt8H0oQbCskR0dWVcVns2~iQ2CeJKKLdUY2CjOz2xzBPlncJDvMRXFcez3eht7l7a0v9JGNw9CsKFlOMfcLrLFzfKKJxL4lBgSWPQh9VhW5aVKYmCktfVtx3SXMG7YG72f9~~ujfBypINU9RYyc7y1tfgM0KXZy~uJKPxajVOGhYNcyKVyAhqfbpmM2Ho8R90CmJl7V~wuocclVSRtujUXJTA9JaHvY9RgxblYYnzWp3n7y3RQl82md7PXMVA5hFkJG5ZiNbJJzghOakeMHvyHoYx9OPU3yS5uODnAVumrkYEuT4BnhdSoVTFuYs7v3f9aXZM6iznNfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T01:11:34.55Z","article","The Grosse Ile Township Board on June 9 voted to uphold the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) coordinator's fee estimate of $119.08 for redacting and producing parts of a bridge-related engineering report, and also received a detailed briefing from the finance director on initial revenues, liabilities and expenditures for the newly acquired toll-bridge fund.

FOIA fee appeal: The board considered an appeal of a $119.08 fee charged to a requester for staff labor to redact an engineering report tied to the toll bridge. The FOIA coordinator said the estimate followed state guidance that labor for redaction be charged at the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work; staff identified Derek (an employee with access under the NDA) as the relevant person and estimated two hours at $59.54 per hour. Trustees voted to uphold the fee by voice vote; the meeting record shows two trustees—Mark and Margaret—voted \"nay\" and the remaining trustees voted in favor, so the motion to uphold passed.

Toll-bridge finances and context: Finance Director Theresa McLaughlin provided a revenue-and-expenditure update through May 31, 2025, covering the two months since the township acquired the bridge. Key points she presented:
- Total recorded revenue in the period: approximately $1,375,000 (this figure includes cash that still requires allocation between tag deposits, prepaid pass balances and recognized crossing revenue once reconciliations are complete).
- Liabilities: tag-deposit accounts and prepaid pass balances transferred at closing remain liabilities until crossings occur or tags/passes are returned.
- Insurance: the township paid roughly $439,701 initially for liability and property coverages; about $300,000 of that was a six‑month property premium and the township expects an additional premium payments later in the fiscal year. Theresa said total annual insurance expense for the bridge is expected to be about $739,000 for the year.
- Operations: the finance director noted that operations include a mix of legacy prepaid pass money transferred at closing and new receipts; reconciling those sources requires additional reporting from the vendor (BridgePass/bridal pass company) before staff can finalize recognized revenue.

Nut graf: The two decisions together—upholding a modest FOIA fee and briefing the board on bridge finances—reflect the transition work involved in assimilating a purchased toll bridge into township operations: reconciling transferred funds and addressing public-record requests while the township builds its operational and disclosure processes.

Public-record, redaction and transparency issues: Board discussion balanced a requester's public-interest arguments and the cost/complexity of redaction: several trustees favored waiving the fee on public-interest grounds, but the majority supported the coordinator’s estimate, citing the statutory standard and the fact that sensitive material may need careful redaction. Board members said much bridge-related information will be posted online through an upcoming bridge commission and portal work; staff said engineering materials that are non-sensitive will be published when feasible, and sensitive portions will be redacted per law.

Quote: \"If we vote no, then the gentleman would get the FOIA without the fee,\" the clerk explained during the discussion of consequences; a trustee who supported waiving the fee said, \"I think we should waive the fee...the taxpayer deserves to know as much as possible.\"

Next steps and operational notes: Finance staff said they are continuing work to reconcile pass deposits and tag deposits and to streamline reporting; they also plan to consolidate some payment processing and to move to the township's financial dashboard system once audited numbers are available. Board members asked staff to publish clear explanations of how revenue, deposits and premiums are handled to improve public understanding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Township Board of Trustees - 09 Jun 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted to uphold a $119 fee for a Freedom of Information Act appeal seeking parts of the bridge-engineering records, and the finance director presented initial revenue/expenditure figures for the toll-bridge fund, highlighting large near-term insurance costs and accounting for tag and pass liabilities.","taxTitle","Grosse Ile, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",55649,"location","Michigan","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6544369,"Board authorizes development of entrance-audit RFP; scope to return for approval",878,2466000,3344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99&start=2466&end=3344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99/thumbnail_2466000.jpg","/articles/6544369/Michigan/Board-authorizes-development-of-entrance-audit-RFP-scope-to-return-for-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544369-6d8127b83046948017fc8670b0741eb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=aKzrt00wBFHBRuFTWcgno~9crd3vEkMbyca9tpKbLoj4iFQgev4ZeS89jmBKrEzN53fI1AJYWwPiJ9CAxoTl6~gbr16wJPj3lG0nuVza5NO9DIQhqYthZxO5YF8YTB~7y-MTB-OOOij2BLG7S6tGB3yIiNZeKarAOjtc4Y8mdnsUmVlY903I8i1KFa5sW87JuTziDhccw5JBMSx7TnmAZHHNTdjeBrKdgB-sSnrfrscMO6Wl29zzXYe2O2Q0eW7xYQNvxgBC0IDY~oY00MOAAuXD7r6EVo-Kd3eJTIXBhAWwPZlybmGqBve02Scji4udvJiQIfVGkFC5seujexWxBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Township Board on June 9 authorized development and distribution of a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit firms to perform an entrance (forensic-style) audit of township financial transactions, but requested that staff return with a draft scope and timing so the board can avoid duplication with the municipality’s regular annual audit.

Nut graf: The motion authorizes staff to draft and circulate an RFP for a more in-depth review of financial records and internal controls (sometimes called an “entrance audit” or forensic review). Trustees and the finance director emphasized the RFP should be carefully scoped to avoid overlap with the state-required annual financial audit and to coordinate with the auditors scheduled to begin fieldwork next week.

Why an entrance audit: Trustees said the review is intended to provide additional independent review of internal controls and transaction bookkeeping beyond the standard financial audit. Supervisor Kevin Porcirilli said he contacted multiple firms and wants an outside set of eyes to review areas that present the greatest risk to township assets; Finance Director Theresa McLaughlin and the township’s external auditors described differences in approach between an annual audit (sampling and internal-control testing) and a targeted forensic review (a deeper, often issuer-driven inquiry).

Board direction: Trustees asked staff to draft the RFP and return it to the board for review before final distribution. Board members requested that the RFP specify the look-back period, proposed sample methods and the expected interaction with the external auditors to reduce duplication. The board also asked staff to check candidates’ professional credentials and security protocols before allowing off-premises review of sensitive records.

Outcome: Motion carried. Staff will develop the RFP, consult with Finance Director Theresa McLaughlin to refine scope and timing, and return to the board with a final draft prior to issuing the RFP.","Trustees authorized staff to develop and distribute a request for proposals for an entrance (forensic) audit of township financial transactions. The board directed staff to return with a draft scope to avoid duplication with the annual audit and to coordinate timing with the auditors.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6544374,"Trustees approve two cameras at Centennial Farm to restore surveillance coverage",286,1910000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99&start=1910&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99/thumbnail_1910000.jpg","/articles/6544374/Michigan/Trustees-approve-two-cameras-at-Centennial-Farm-to-restore-surveillance-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544374-fdd37ff7f2ec836529111da413b16609/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=bU~f~NQp4pNTIPQtwAK5uOQYZaT5FZaaYQlgT5Kx9bPOR0lgHIGKVDeOnTz11kQND0bN7Am5RUzHI8X-3tLNUlMnnwSl-owynPT3pP0AY8pFDuMHpsplXANSVtafOnoG88CR~iH-xKNc~GlZ~6WnrmXwiMrgOcNBi3X0YItNDu3xlRO6fUSg8llD4Jz2g69rGhZ5zP7k8bW1NCuFtYCkLm9e-UMJH-CeUcjs3cWDClN1TFI3-BwomvwhcFjT82PpskyVMt47OF5GYUHqQ7NxggZmPGj5Yjpy8uH5ib2BjlpKDAjfmoEr-twTU6XWbVtWRwnhSEBYGxxBCjEkvn4yKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Township Board on June 9 approved purchase and installation of two surveillance cameras at Centennial Farm after police officials described vandalism, vehicle damage and other incidents at the park.

Grosse Ile Police Department staff asked trustees to fund two cameras in the playground, recreation building parking lot and main road area at a total cost of $3,323. The cameras will be supplied and integrated by the department's current vendor, EOS, and will feed into the police department’s camera network so dispatchers can view live feeds and respond proactively.

Nut graf: Police and trustees said Centennial Farm lacked functioning cameras and that the new equipment would allow both incident review and active monitoring to dispatch officers when suspicious activity is seen. The board approved the purchase in a recorded voice vote.

Background and justification: Presenters recounted several incidents at Centennial Farm in recent years—vehicle damage, a bathroom fire and other vandalism—and said the park is the last major township-owned public area without camera coverage. Staff said the cameras will be networked with other municipal cameras to allow centralized viewing in dispatch.

Quote: \"Where there's children, where there's animals, where there's vehicles... we have to be more proactive of the public areas,\" a trustee said during discussion.

Outcome: Motion carried; staff will proceed with purchase and coordinate installation with the vendor and police dispatch.","The board approved $3,323 to purchase and install two cameras at Centennial Farm to cover playground, parking and the main access road. The police department will use the existing vendor and integrate footage with dispatch monitoring.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6544378,"Board approves vehicle purchase for GIPD DEA task force post; funding from forfeiture and prior sale",427,1476000,1903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99&start=1476&end=1903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6544378/Michigan/Board-approves-vehicle-purchase-for-GIPD-DEA-task-force-post-funding-from-forfeiture-and-prior-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544378-9dba40a96d1f5a617dac69ed07a22581/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=mSm4Xref8FT1h9p3QuTUk6SrBRyE6N84aqgvmin~bCPZgySOoniKNRohxN~COJC5GWrLDzvRnRSUrRQn44QL2ysWdOgzczlCUOpQPSjWRLtk4KChBfCbZal~u7AIr7k~suTFr3CV2R39ukubHysIZRLcPZzNDZkKt6nP9eZDd~PsQ0p1D0Hj7ObeOyCTkWA467p1UBbdCCC4H60cgR2xs2lrnIItdvdfyE5qVqwlaPSOYJKQ4qy1FucFRONirQq~E5uQGbabcSJ1iYFhcyYPQqmWaaICR3iAbuLTMF9uG3jBm7TtkJrBLRefUdFn35wd7p1GifiaKOAztoSJskrH0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Township Board on June 9 approved the police department's request to purchase a new unmarked vehicle for an officer expected to be assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration task force later this summer.

The board approved buying a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee for $42,751 through the state's MiDEAL vehicle program. Police officials told trustees the department will apply the $25,000 received from sale of a 2019 Ford Explorer (previously assigned to K-9 duties) and cover the remaining cost with DOJ federal forfeiture funds; no township general-fund transfer was reported for the purchase.

Nut graf: The board approved the vehicle purchase while noting personnel constraints that delay the officer’s assignment to the DEA task force and a separate decision about restoring a department canine unit. Trustees were told the vehicle can be upfitted later if the department reinstates a K-9 team.

Staffing, canine and funding context: Police presenter Margaret (identified in the meeting packet as the PD presenter) said the department projects assigning an officer to the DEA task force in July but that several officers are on leave (FMLA/medical), so the transfer has been deferred until staffing stabilizes. The department noted the DEA-funded task force position, when filled, has historically been supported by DEA funding and may generate future forfeiture proceeds.

On the canine question, officials told the board the department has not yet replaced its drug-detection canine after the death of a prior canine. Department staff said they can outfit the purchased vehicle for a canine if the department later restores that capability.

Procurement: Staff praised the township’s administrative work to secure a competitive price through Michigan’s MiDEAL cooperative program. Chief and staff comments noted the finance and administrative staff searched multiple sources and recommended the vendor as offering a better net price.

Quote: \"The DEA officer has always been funded through funds brought in by the DEA,\" a trustee observed during discussion; Margaret added that purchasing the vehicle through forfeiture funds and the prior sale preserves general-fund resources while allowing the department to be ready if and when an officer is assigned.

Outcome: The board voted to approve the vehicle purchase; trustees recorded no appropriation from the police operating budget for the purchase, which will be funded by the sale proceeds and federal forfeiture funds.","Grosse Ile trustees approved purchase of a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee for an officer assigned to the DEA task force. The $42,751 purchase will use $25,000 from the sale of a prior vehicle and the balance from Department of Justice federal forfeiture funds; staffing and canine needs remain under review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6544383,"Grosse Ile board advances Elba Island special-assessment process, sets next hearing",1205,217000,1422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99&start=217&end=1422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750612-a1e694cdd0c6d577acb66c21b71a6a99/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6544383/Michigan/Grosse-Ile-board-advances-Elba-Island-special-assessment-process-sets-next-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544383-09c75e4993b990ec31c83736310afd14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=l-2K0AnZ83aV4pRENPuKCS5AwCwMfyB2xgiRK~DLixe~LnSU65r6ZWJHctyBnfR2ozZLgtGvE7e8wA-joK7od3rzdilZf5ItUZ4qX1rGBijt9101lGdD9v9ey6Xl4J86VzUWnbTqrfQu4LJjzt~6POr7z3K9sZt34QMb~vvcVwjkYUmUjvdn-rtmwGv0WJaFK8Amm0u6nWLZWXW1DA8EB3tAhlf0EY0rtrLK7vcFBY3fmdPZVZ6O8Ha1AJRvDgWtvw3FwKIuE28cjEyH4tiMxFVin8w4a7nK3Dm5wHkn5M5i35jHthmOM8ShHxRsul1KpJ0Ttlt5psDB9Z41uinypQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees on June 9 voted to advance the Elba Island special-assessment process, amending the assessment roll language and specifying a five-year repayment term for the proposed resurfacing of the private portion of Elba/Elba Drive.

The action authorizes staff to prepare an assessment roll and sets a follow-up public hearing for June 23; the board did not finalize a special-assessment levy tonight, but voted to continue the statutory process that could lead to assessments against parcels in the district.

Nut graf: The board approved a resolution to proceed with the special-assessment district after reviewing project costs and hearing from residents. The motion—carried by majority vote—authorizes staff to prepare the assessment roll with amended language to apply the total special-assessment cost equally across parcels and to publish notice for the next hearing. The vote is a procedural step, not a final levy.

Officials and details: Township staff described the project total and how assessments would be calculated. Staff reported a base construction estimate of $67,160.75 using the township's vendor; a statutorily allowable 5% administrative fee of $3,358 brings the project subtotal to $70,518.79. Interest at 5% on the assessment was estimated at $9,327.80, producing a total special-assessment amount of roughly $79,846.59. The proposed district would cover 16 parcels; dividing the total evenly resulted in a per-parcel assessment of $4,990.41, or an annual payment of about $998.08 under a five-year amortization. Staff and residents noted property owners may prepay to reduce interest expense.

Resident concern and amendment: Owen Friese of 28402 Elba Drive asked why the draft resolution used language about assessing “relative benefit” proportional to frontage or parcel characteristics; he said the neighborhood expects an equal split. Board members agreed and the resolution's paragraph 4 was amended on the record to state the roll shall apply the total special-assessment cost against each addressed parcel of land (the board’s revised wording was read into the record).

Process and next steps: The board's vote authorizes staff to prepare the assessment roll and publish notice for an additional public hearing to consider the finalized roll on June 23. Board members emphasized this vote does not finalize the assessment or levy; a later hearing and a published roll are required by state statute before any assessment is confirmed. Staff also told residents that funds for the work would initially come from a township revolving loan fund and be repaid to that fund once assessments are collected.

Quotes: \"If you're paying upfront without that five-year duration, your interest expense would then go down,\" Finance Director Theresa McLaughlin said, explaining how prepayment would affect interest costs. Resident Owen Friese asked the board to remove the proportional-benefit language so parcels are assessed equally: \"I think we're all agreeing that we're getting split 16 ways... that isn't exactly the way this is written,\" he said.

Ending: The board carried the motion to continue the special-assessment process and directed staff to return with the prepared roll and required notices. If the roll and the next public hearing clear the statutory steps, the board would consider finalizing the assessment at a subsequent meeting.","The Grosse Ile Township Board voted to advance the Elba Island (Elba Drive) special-assessment resolution with amended language and a five-year assessment term. The vote moves the petition and project plans to a second public hearing June 23; final assessment will be set later.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board upholds FOIA fee for bridge engineering request; finance director briefs trustees on bridge revenues and major costs

Board authorizes development of entrance-audit RFP; scope to return for approval

Trustees approve two cameras at Centennial Farm to restore surveillance coverage

Board approves vehicle purchase for GIPD DEA task force post; funding from forfeiture and prior sale

Grosse Ile board advances Elba Island special-assessment process, sets next hearing