Wayne County committee approves Greektown parking deal, signs off on multiple contracts, tables two media agreements and reviews indigent defense report

The Wayne County Committee on Government Operations on July 9 approved a three-year comparable-source parking license with Hollywood Casino Greektown for staff who work in the International Center Building and took final votes or procedural actions on a series of county contracts and reports, while tabling two proposed media agreements for further review.

The committee’s approval of the parking license — which the county says will provide a minimum of 150 spaces and up to 230 spaces — came with follow-up direction to administration and counsel to pursue clarifications before the full board reviews the contract on Aug. 7. Commissioners debated a potential coverage gap between the old and new contract, whether the county auditor would have access to vendor records, and whether the agreement includes typical insurance and indemnification language.

Committee chair Clemente opened the meeting and the committee handled eight agenda items, voting to approve professional services and software contracts with motion-makers and seconds recorded in the transcript, tabling media contracts from TCD Media (Metro Detroit News) and Real Times Media for further work, and receiving and filing the Indigent Defense Services Department’s annual report.

Commissioner Peterson Mayberry moved the parking-license item, and Commissioner Wilson seconded. Commissioner Killeen recorded a “no” on the committee vote while the other members present voted in favor; the committee approved the item with a directive that administration and corporation counsel attempt to secure language giving the county auditor access to records before the contract goes to the full board.

Why it matters: the parking license is operational for county employees who work in the International Center Building at 400 Monroe St., and the committee’s insistence on follow-up reflects recurring county concerns about procurement method changes, retroactive work, auditing access and standard contract protections such as insurance and indemnification.

What happened on other items: the committee approved an extension of consultant Richard Kaufman’s contract relating to the Duane…