Wayne County committee approves nine library penal‑fines settlements

The Wayne County Commission Committee on Ways and Means voted to approve nine settlements in matters involving library penal fines for multiple district libraries at its meeting. The committee approved the grouped settlements by roll call after county counsel said the matters had been discussed in closed session.

County Deputy Corporation Counsel Sue Hummel told the committee that the matters had been discussed previously in committee sessions and in closed meetings and described them as legal settlements. “Keeping in mind that these are legal settlements, and we did discuss these previously in closed session,” Hummel said before the committee moved to a vote.

The settlements read into the record covered the following libraries: Northfield District Library; William P. Faust Public Library of Westland; Grosse Pointe Public Library; Garden City Public Library; Dearborn Heights Public Library; Liana Hicks Public Library of Inkster (as listed in the meeting record); Redford Township District Library; Canton Public Library; and Beacon Memorial District Library. The clerk read items 1 through 9 into the record before the committee sought a motion.

The motion to approve items 1–9 was moved by Commissioner Scott and supported by Commissioner Clemente. The committee conducted a roll-call vote; Commissioners Scott, Baker McCormick, Clemente, Anderson and Chair Kellogg recorded votes in favor and the chair announced the motion carried.

Committee members did not reopen substantive public debate during the meeting; Hummel reminded the panel that legal counsel had handled details in closed session. No public comments were recorded on the item during the committee’s public comment period.

The settlements will be reflected in the commission’s formal records and handled according to the terms read into the record and the county’s legal procedures.