DOWNRIVER UTILITY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY
September 19, 2024 Special Board Meeting Minutes
Romulus Athletic Center
1. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
DUWA Chair Gail McLeod (Allen Park) called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM and asked for roll call to be taken. At the time of roll call, voting representatives were in attendance from 12 communities: Allen Park, Brownstown Township, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Riverview, River Rouge, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Van Buren Township, and Wyandotte. A quorum (at least 7 members) was present.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) and supported by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) to approve the Agenda. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.
3. PURSUANT TO VOTE ON AUGUST 8, 2024 BOARD WILL GO INTO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor McLeod (Allen Park) reminded attendees that participants in the Closed Session are limited to DUWA’s Professionals, primary and alternate Board Commissioners, Mayors and Township Supervisors, and municipal attorneys. She also discussed Closed Session expectations for communications.
A motion was made by Jeff Dobek (Riverview) and supported by Lisa Griggs (Lincoln Park) to go into Closed Session. The Closed Session began at 10:05 AM.
4. MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Motion by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) and supported by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) to return to the Open Session at 11:30 AM. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.
5. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE GENERAL COUNSEL
Motion by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) and supported by Mayor Tim Woolley (Taylor) to direct General Counsel to file suit as discussed in Closed Session; General Counsel shall take additional direction from the System Manager and Board Officers as needed and keep the DUWA Board apprised of progress on a periodic basis in a Closed Session or via Attorney-Client Privileged communications. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously with 98% of the vote (affirmative vote by all attending members).
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items brought forth for consideration as “Other Business” items.
8. NEXT BOARD MEETING DATE: Thursday | October 10, 2024 (9:00AM; In-Person)
Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) reminded the Board that the next regular meeting would take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM in-person at Taylor City Hall.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) announced that a motion to adjourn would be in order. Motion by Jeff Dobek (Riverview) and supported by Lisa Griggs (Lincoln Park) to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 11:40 AM.
Meeting Minutes Prepared by:
Mackenzie Johnson, Engineer | OHM Advisors
Meeting Minutes Reviewed by:
Jim Fausone, DUWA Attorney | Fausone & Grysko