Wayne County approves reimbursement agreement for 10 magnetometer units with Downtown Detroit Partnership

The Wayne County Commission voted to approve a two-year comparable-source grant services agreement reimbursing the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) for the purchase of 10 magnetometer/metal-detector units to screen attendees at major public events.

Anthony Cartwright, interim director of economic development, said DDP purchased the units to avoid recurring rental costs and to allow the partnership and the county to deploy screening equipment more efficiently at large events. “We did say we're gonna help them purchase the units,” Cartwright said, explaining the county’s role is to reimburse DDP so both DDP and Wayne County can use the equipment for events.

Commissioners pressed staff on costs, custody and usage. A staff speaker identified in the record as Lucia's Anthony, assistant director of economic vitality, said the invoice for the purchase was “just over, I believe it was 300,” and described that as “close to $40,000” per unit; council staff summarized the county’s contribution as about $200 (presented in the record as “200” and described by staff as “close to half” of the invoice). The transcript also records a staff response that the county would pay roughly half of the purchase price. To avoid implying precision where the record is unclear, the invoice total is recorded in the transcript as “just over 300” and the county contribution is recorded in the transcript as “200” (staff described that figure as close to half of the purchase).

On custody and disposition, a staff speaker said the contract includes language preventing DDP from selling or disposing of the equipment during the two-year contract and for an additional one-year period thereafter. The county’s access policy will require event organizers to request the equipment through county channels; staff said the sheriff’s office would have access for county-organized large-scale events.

Commissioners also asked about warranty and throughput. A staff speaker said each unit carries an approximately one-year warranty and can screen about 1,000 people per hour.

The commission moved to approve the agreement, which passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. Several commissioners requested that DDP representatives attend the full commission meeting to answer further questions; staff said DDP had been invited and that CEO Eric Larson, Chief of Security Mike Bregaman, and CFO Carly Easterday were expected to join virtually.

The agreement places custody with DDP during the contract term, authorizes county reimbursement as described in staff materials, and restricts sale or disposal for the period specified in the contract. The commission approved the measure and proceeded to other agenda items.