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Social Work 314-51: Social Welfare Policy

Professor Diane McMillan, LMSW, ACSW
City Council Meeting
April 9, 2015
Seeketa Schimmel

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City Council Meeting
I attended the regular City Council Agenda Meeting of the 35th City Council of Oak Park,
Michigan on March 2, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. I encourage everyone in the metropolitan area to drive
to the City Hall to attend a meeting. The City Hall is located at 14,000 Oak Park Boulevard (the
equivalent of 9 mile road) in Oak Park, Michigan. The new structure in which meetings are
held and city business is conducted is dedicated to the former mayor of Oak Park, Gerald
Naftaly. Oak Park Boulevard is illuminated with beautiful blue and gold Christmas lights. This
extends the message to residents and visitors that the core of the city is warm and inviting.
Mayor Marian McClellan started the City Council meeting with the Call to Order. The
Mayor, staff, City Council members, and visitors were requested to stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance as we placed our right hands over our chests. The echoes from the participants in
saying the Pledge of Allegiance were monumental as a beginning of a City Council meeting.
I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I positioned myself in the back of the room so that I could observe the pledge being taken by all
in attendance.
The roll call was taken by the City Manager:

Mayor Marion McClellan

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Levine

Council Member Michael Seligson

Council Member Carolyn Burns

Council Member Kiesha Speech

City Manager Eric Tungate

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The agenda was consented to and approved. Several routine items were presented for City
Council approval without discussion. If any council member wished to discuss or disapprove of
any item, it would have to be dropped from the blanket motion of approval and considered as a
separate item.
Next came recognition of visiting elected officials followed by special recognition and
presentations. Mayor McClellan and the council presented a proclamation honoring Ellen Cogen
Lipton for her six years of distinguished service to the community of Oak Park and surrounding
areas. Ms. Lipton was presented with the proclamation and shared her thoughts about being a
public servant and keeping her commitment to help others. Ms. Lipton is a graduate of Harvard
University.
The next speaker was Mr. Jordan Twardy, the new Executive Vice President of the Eight
Mile Boulevard Association. Mr. Twardy spoke of the associations mission to link the private
and public sectors. The Association provides a medium for revitalizing businesses, landscaping,
transit availability, and bicycle lanes. The Association is funded by state grants and other private
fundraising. Mr. Twardy announced an upcoming fundraising event that will be hosted by
Charlie Langton of Channel 2 Fox News. Mr. Mark Kittner of Rehman Robson presented an
audit. His audit indicated that the city had a surplus of $629,000.00. These results pleased the
Mayor, City Manager, and City Council members. Public Hearings, Communication, Special
Licenses, and Accounting Reports were not covered in the general agenda. None of the items
were addressed for discussion.
Next came a Bid Request for the 2015 Catch Basin Line Replacement and Service Lateral
Repair Project. The City Council awarded this bid to the Panex Corporation of Trenton,
Michigan. This project will cost the city $443,495.00. It was recommended that funds be

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transferred from the Water and Sewer fund balance to pay for this expenditure. Council Member
Carolyn Burns expressed concerns about the cost and the companys reputation. The Mayor and
City Manager reported that the company had excellent references. The Mayor, City Manager, and
Council Members agreed upon the bid award, noting that the citys sewer system is old and in
urgent need of replacement to ensure the citizens of Oak Park with a problem free system for the
water and sewage needs.
The City Manager then opened the agenda to Information Technology and a call to the
audience. Each speaker had a three-minute time limit. The open agenda also encourages speakers
to be responsible for their comments, which become part of the public record. The speakers are
not allowed to make personal attacks on people or institutions. A few citizens spoke about roads.
One lady in the audience invited the council to an upcoming play. At the end of the meeting there
is a call for any additional business and the council continues the meeting in a closed session.
The open agenda meeting ended with the Mayor, council members, staff members, and police
officers interacting with the audience.
The City of Oak Park Council Meeting was well organized, professional, and pleasant.
The meeting exhibited a team of intelligent and committed public servants. I am now motivated
to attended other council meeting in order to take notes on how this city is making a positive
impression in Oakland County.