Votes at a glance: Committee forwards energy study and multiple grants, lease and facility items to finance or board

The Oakland County Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee on Nov. 13 took action or recommended action on a series of grants, appointments, agreements and facility projects. Most items were forwarded to the finance committee or to the full board for final consideration.

Key actions and outcomes (motions, movers/second, and committee direction):

- Appointment of Dom Holmes as Economic Development Director: The committee moved to recommend the appointment (moved by Commissioner Markham; seconded by Commissioner Smith). The motion carried (vote recorded as 6 yeas, 0 nays in the meeting transcript). Dom Holmes introduced himself and summarized his work leading federal and local grant administration and the county’s economic development strategic plan.

- Grant acceptance: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, FY25 County Veterans Service Fund Grant ($530,893): Staff requested acceptance of a FY25 grant totaling $530,893 to support Veterans Services, including resource payers, marketing and transportation. The motion to recommend acceptance to finance was made (moved by Mister Whiteboard; seconded by Commissioner Raman). Committee members discussed marketing effectiveness and the transportation program; staff confirmed allocations of roughly $364,500 for resource payers, $116,393 for marketing and $50,000 for transportation. Committee recommended the grant acceptance to finance (vote tally not specified in transcript).

- Interlocal agreement with SMART for veterans transportation (FY25): The committee moved to recommend an intent to enter an interlocal agreement with Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to administer a veterans transportation program (moved by Commissioner Robin; seconded by Commissioner Weidberg). Staff said the $50,000 transportation line is expected to cover approximately 25,000 rides at an estimated reimbursement of about $2 per ride. The motion was recommended to the board/finance (vote tally not specified).

- MDOT grant acceptance for runway lighting rehabilitation at Oakland Troy Airport: Staff presented a Phase 2 grant funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law covering 90% of the $143,790 project, with 5% state and 5% local match from airport funds. The committee recommended forwarding the grant acceptance to the board (moved by Commissioner Markham; seconded by Commissioner Long). Staff noted the airport will be closed for an estimated two-week period during construction and tenants will receive relocation options.

- Termination and replacement of a long-term land lease at Oakland County International Airport (items 10d and 10e): The committee recommended forwarding a paired set of items to terminate a long-term land lease with WLA Holdings after a building sale and to enter a new hangar lease with Boardwalk, a flight school tenant. Committee recommended forwarding both items to the board (moved by Commissioner Robin; seconded by Commissioner Smith).

- Central garage roof replacement (capital project, $656,829): Planning and engineering staff presented a full roof replacement (31,500 square feet) using EPDM rubber membrane and thicker insulation to meet current energy codes. The proposed contract to Royal Roofing was described as the best-value responsive bid, with funding available in the capital improvement program. The committee moved to recommend forwarding the item to finance (motion moved by Commissioner Smith; seconded by Commissioner Weifert). Discussion included confirmation that the building will remain in county use; committee vote forwarded the item to finance (final committee vote reported: 4 yeas, 3 nays when item was reconsidered and forwarded).

- Joint project agreement (JPA) renewal with the U.S. Department of Commerce for office space in Annex 1: Staff presented a one-year renewal (fiscal years 24–25) with a rent increase tied to building cost increases and a 90-day termination clause in either direction. The committee recommended forwarding the JPA modification to the board (motion moved by Commissioner Spitz; seconded by Commissioner Weidberg). Discussion noted the rent rose from roughly $9,000 to about $17,000 and commissioners asked for continued attention to county rental rates.

- MOUs to receive Department of Energy technical assistance (Voucher 3) with EnergyWorks and 5 Lakes: The committee recommended entering memoranda of understanding with EnergyWorks and 5 Lakes to receive pro bono technical assistance through DOE’s voucher program on renewable-siting and battery-storage issues. Staff said the MOUs will let Oakland County communities access technical assistance to plan renewables and storage siting and permitting. The committee recommended forwarding the MOUs to the board.

Other procedural and closed-session matters

The committee held one or more closed sessions to discuss potential property purchase or lease matters and, on return to open session, authorized staff to proceed consistent with closed-session directives. Public comment was not offered on these items at the meeting.

Ending

Most items were recommended to finance or the full board for final action. Staff will return with required grant documents or refined scopes where applicable before final board-level approvals.