Committee advances labor agreement, parks grants and two diplomacy resolutions; peace resolution amended

The Oakland County Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee on Thursday approved a series of personnel, parks and policy items and advanced two county resolutions on diplomatic engagement and global peace.

The panel unanimously approved a supplemental collective bargaining agreement for employees in the treasurer’s office who are represented by United Auto Workers Local 889; a human resources salary-administration quarterly report; a $250,000 county grant to the city of Troy to support an inclusive play project at Boulan Park; and a 30‑year interlocal operations-and-management agreement with the Waterford School District for a 79.5‑acre site now being called “Discovery Oaks.”

The committee also passed a resolution reaffirming Oakland County’s role in diplomatic leadership by a unanimous vote and a separate resolution affirming the county’s commitment to peace, humanity and compassion after an amendment to remove a specific reference to “genocide awareness month.” The peace resolution passed as amended 5–1.

Labor agreement and personnel actions Dan Klattner, Oakland County chief of labor relations, briefed the committee on the supplemental agreement for the treasurer’s office, which folds positions into the county’s primary UAW contract and adds benefits including ten additional personal leave days and a hybrid‑work policy for eligible office positions. "The union membership follows the position, not the person," Klattner said, summarizing how classifications are assigned to the bargaining unit. The motion passed with six ayes and no nays.

Human resources presented the salary administration plan third quarterly report, covering classification and salary adjustments effective Aug. 23. The committee approved the report with six ayes and no nays.

Parks grants and interlocal agreement The committee approved a $250,000 grant to the city of Troy for an inclusive park at Boulan (Bouland/Boland transcription variant) Park; county staff said the county grant will support a project designed in phases that includes a playground, pathways, landscaping, fencing and a comfort station. Kurt Bovency, director of public works for Troy, described the full project as a phased $2 million effort; he also described a city match figure during his presentation and corrected himself while speaking. The grant passed (vote recorded as approved by the committee).

The committee also approved an interlocal partnership with the Waterford School District to operate and manage a 79.5‑acre site for public use under a 30‑year agreement at no acquisition cost to the county. The district’s school board approved the agreement unanimously, and the project will proceed to the parks commission for further planning. The motion passed with six ayes, no nays.

Resolutions on diplomatic engagement and peace Commissioner Brendan Johnson (not present at the meeting) sent a written statement that was read to the committee describing his “Reaffirming Oakland County’s role in diplomatic leadership” resolution; the statement emphasized the county’s role as host to diplomatic missions and proposed a diplomatic-engagement study group. Public commenters urged the committee to advance both Johnson’s resolution and a companion peace resolution. Fabrice Mirazquez, identified as a Troy resident, said the resolutions "promoting peace and upholding human dignity are values that transcend politics." Public commenter Mike Flores urged bipartisan support and said, "Let Oakland County lead."

The committee voted unanimously to send Johnson’s diplomatic leadership resolution to the full board. The committee then debated a separate resolution introduced by Commissioner Hoffman affirming Oakland County’s commitment to peace and global compassion. A motion to postpone that resolution failed, and an amendment offered by Commissioner Gershenson to remove the phrase "through its observance of genocide awareness month" was adopted; the amended resolution passed 5–1.

Votes at a glance - Supplemental collective bargaining agreement (treasurer’s office, UAW Local 889): mover not specified; second not specified; tally: 6 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: approved. - Salary administration plan, third quarter FY2025 (Human Resources): mover not specified; second not specified; tally: 6 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: approved, changes effective Aug. 23. - Grant to City of Troy, inclusive park at Boulan Park: $250,000 county grant; city match described by Troy staff; tally: approved by committee. - Interlocal partnership agreement with Waterford School District (Discovery Oaks): 30‑year operations and management agreement, no county acquisition cost; tally: 6 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: approved. - Resolution: "Reaffirming Oakland County’s role in diplomatic leadership" (Commissioner Johnson): passed unanimously; outcome: forwarded to full board. - Resolution: "Affirming Oakland County’s commitment to peace, humanity, and global compassion" (Commissioner Hoffman): amendment to remove phrase referencing genocide awareness month adopted; final vote on amended resolution 5–1; outcome: approved and forwarded to full board.

Why it matters The committee’s actions advance local implementation of labor agreements that affect county employees, channel county capital toward an inclusive playground project in Troy, and secure a multidecade partnership for a large Waterford property that county speakers said will support nature education and passive recreation. The two resolutions—one focused on diplomatic engagement and the other on expressing county values on peace and humanitarian concerns—are symbolic policy statements, but committee members and public speakers said they may help guide future county outreach to diplomatic and international communities in the region.

Provenance Topic introduction: transcript segment beginning at 944.945 (announcement moving to item 7a). Topic finish: transcript segment near 2873.815 (end of votes and adjournment).