Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wayne County approves expanded Freeman property-management contract for Criminal Justice Complex, requires semiannual subcontractor reports
Summary
The commission approved Amendment 1 to Freeman Real Estate Management’s contract to expand services at the Criminal Justice Complex, extend contract terms through 2028, and require semiannual reports on subcontractors; the vote passed with one abstention.
The Wayne County Public Safety, Judiciary and Homeland Security Committee approved Amendment 1 to a three-year professional services contract with Freeman Real Estate Management to expand property-management services at the Criminal Justice Complex (CJC) and related parking and warehouse functions.
James Heath, Wayne County corporation counsel, and Greg Hurston of Facilities Management and Planning presented the amendment. Heath said the original three-year contract, approved in late 2023, totaled about $24.5 million and covered roughly 10 subcontractors providing services such as shuttle management, janitorial services, pest control and event coordination. The amendment expands the scope of services, exercises two one-year renewal options so the contract would run through 2028 if exercised, and increases service commitments to cover enhanced maintenance, training and on-site technical support.
Heath described several operational reasons for the change: the county achieved turnover of the CJC on March 18, 2024; juveniles moved in in late August 2024 and about 1,400 adult inmates were moved over two days shortly thereafter; the facility opened to the public after Labor Day. In the transition period, the county experienced unanticipated issues — broken sprinkler heads, toilet overflows related to construction remnants and other failures — that required emergency cleanup and rapid procurement of replacement parts. Heath and Hurston credited Freeman for coordinating emergency remediation work (BELFOR was named as an example) and for helping the county to obtain replacement sprinkler heads and other supplies quickly.
The amendment adds preventative and enhanced services the presenters said are needed to protect the county’s investment. Examples discussed include expanded janitorial and biohazard cleanup services, a yearly deep-refresh of cells (steam cleaning, power washing, painting), an on-site HVAC maintenance and training program so county tradespeople can be certified on the complex system, scheduled servicing of detention locks and hardware by the manufacturer (CML), maintenance of security electronics by Accurate Controls, and upkeep of the IPTV television system by Conti. Presenters said a contractor-provided HVAC technician (referred to in the meeting as "Josie") will remain on-site if the amendment is approved to continue on-the-job training for county trades staff.
Commissioners pressed for fiscal and oversight clarity. Commissioner Wilson raised concerns about cost growth and questioned larger budget figures in packet materials; she abstained from the final vote. Commissioner Dobbs asked whether a budget adjustment would be required to accommodate the cost increase; staff said yes and that, preliminarily, the adjustment can be covered from currently available funding through fiscal year 2025. Commissioner Garza pressed on subcontractor accountability; James Heath and Greg Hurston said Freeman is contractually required to include key performance indicators (KPIs) with its subcontractors and to present monthly performance reports to Facilities Management and Planning.
Felicia, the county’s general counsel, noted that the property-manager structure means many subcontractor agreements do not come before the commission individually. The committee asked for and accepted a recommendation to include reporting back to the commission on subcontractor status; the resolution language was revised to require Facilities Management and Planning to submit periodic reports on subcontractors and work progress. Committee members agreed the reporting frequency should be every six months.
Commissioner Dobbs moved approval; Commissioner Patricia Garza seconded. The committee recorded one abstention from Commissioner Wilson; the motion carried.
The presenters said the amendment supports a proactive approach to maintenance and safety in a complex the county described as approximately 1,200,000 square feet, and that the expanded services aim to prevent failures, protect staff and inmates, and preserve the county's investment over decades. The packet and discussion included references to ongoing federal oversight and ADA-related review; presenters said the Department of Justice has been involved and that federal review was coordinated to begin six months after turnover of the facility.
