Council
[music]
and Instster Housing Commission joint
meeting. It's Tuesday, August 25th,
2026.
Uh it is 6:04 p.m. and the meeting is
now called to order. Everyone please
stand for the prayer.
» Who want to lead us in prayer tonight?
[laughter]
» Praise the Lord everybody.
>> Lord you father you have for a small
prayer. Father, we thank you for coming
here to address all our issues to come
together as one. We thank you for all
the blessings you store upon us and
bless council, the mayor and a
administration here and uh housing in
the Lord's name. Amen.
>> Amen.
>> Thank you.
>> Please continue to stand for the pledge
of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the
flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
» Roll call.
>> City Council Mayor Nolan,
>> present.
>> Mayor Pro Tim Chisum,
>> present.
>> Councilwoman Rage,
>> present.
>> Councilman Bishop,
>> present. Councilwoman Scott.
» Okay. Councilwoman Howard
>> here.
>> Councilwoman Richardson.
>> Roll call for Inkingster housing.
Commissioner Gillette.
» Commissioner Moore.
>> Commissioner Miller.
» Commissioner Strowman.
>> Present. Commissioner Thomas.
>> Mayor, you do have a quorum on both.
>> All right. Thank you. All right.
Everyone had a just a little back
backdrop. This meeting was requested by
Mayor Promp. I think he sent an email
over to the commissioners a few weeks
ago.
>> Yeah, about a month ago.
>> About a month ago, actually. Um after I
mean was that what was that sparked by?
>> Some of the comments at the meeting.
>> Comments, processes, and procedures.
Open meetings act.
>> Yeah.
um process with meeting notices,
notifications,
>> um and then of course the executive
director decision.
>> Okay. So that's what caused us to
request the meeting. Um and I think I
went to their last meeting and requested
after city council expressed that they
would like to meet have a joint meeting
to discuss some of these issues. Um and
they agreed to come and I appreciate
them coming here tonight. So, we uh
created an agenda. It's pretty broad um
just so we can go over some of the
things that we at least heard. Uh we can
only discuss things on the agenda
because it's a special meeting. So, it's
very specific. But we put on there the
open meetings act because there were
some I believe there were some
allegations of open meetings act
violation. Um also process for selecting
executive director position. There's
been a lot of comments made at least at
the city council meeting regarding that.
Um, and I guess we're going to discuss
that and and listen to whoever would
like to speak on that. And then the
status of Inkster housing. Um, because
basically I've been getting reports of
nothing but positive things for the last
several months uh regarding Insta
Housing and HUD and some of the other
things going on uh at Instster Housing.
So, we can discuss the general status of
what's going on at housing also. And of
course, we have uh public comments at
our meetings. They come at the end of
the meeting. City Council will do our
own public comments and then Inkingst
Housing can do their own. I suspect most
of them are going to be Instster housing
comments tonight. Um be my guest. But
anybody uh want to modify Can we even
modify the agenda? We could take stuff
off. I guess
>> it's
so anybody want to delete anything from
the agenda or
[clears throat]
>> maybe specify something that's already
there. Make it more specific.
I think anybody from housing, you want
to speak to the three things on the
agenda? Are you okay with them?
>> Okay.
Do we have a motion to approve the
agenda?
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Been probably moved to second. Any
discussion? All those in favor say I.
>> I. Oppos say nay.
>> All right. Okay. Uh discussion.
Open Meetings Act. Um, Miss Wales, I'm
not sure if you this is you or someone
else who would like to speak to
the alleged Open Meetings Act violation.
I am aware of at least one where a
meeting was cancelled by the city
attorney for I'm sorry, the housing
attorney. Um, there was some sort of
defect in the notice and I understand
that meeting was canceled, was not held.
Um, is there any other violations that
we need to discuss tonight? Come on up.
Good evening.
>> Good evening. Good evening.
>> Want to know about open meetings act?
>> Well, we're going to go down the list
because that that was one of the things
I heard at one of our meetings that
there may have been some open meetings
act violations. Um we are open meetings
back. We don't we're not the authority
on that. Meaning some open meetings act
violations are misdemeanor criminal
offenses. Um, some go to the attorney
general if you think someone was doing
something wrong, but we at least want to
discuss it as a community. We're all one
community, so if we're doing something
wrong, we want to fix it, basically. Uh,
we're not here to punish or penalize,
but I do want to be a I want to be a we
all want to be aware if there's
something not happening that should be
happen, right?
>> Okay.
Actually,
it is punishable. Um, not necessarily by
the council, but it is in Michigan.
>> Speaking of won't go too far in detail,
>> right? There you go.
>> Okay. I said it is punishable, not
necessarily by the council or the mayor
of Ingster, but it is a misdemeanor in
the state of Michigan. And there have
been a few I don't want to give all
nuggets but I will say that after
meetings um special meetings concluded
in particular on July 11th
they were told that they could not go
into close session to discuss candidates
whether it be the candidates the two
candidates that they interviewed that
day which I have photos
videos
>> or any other candidates that they had
interviewed prior to
>> their attorney addressed it to them on
record.
>> Okay.
>> The Zoom which the attorney and the
recruiter this particular day was
joining the meeting or the interview
were disconnected from the interview and
so that the meeting was over. Yet the
board members, which I have live video
footage, still continued to meet.
>> One second. The Zoom. So, the attorney
and the recruiter was on via Zoom.
>> They had disconnected because the
meeting was adjourned,
>> but everybody else was in person.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. All right.
>> And by everybody else, it was just
commissioners.
>> Commissioners. Okay.
You may recall July 11th was also our
resident appreciation day.
Myself along with two co-workers wanted
to use the facility and grab something
that we had left at the office. We saw
that there were no more cars up front.
So we assumed that the interview were
over. We walked in through the
boardroom. The commissioners were still
there having a conversation.
Papers resumes in front of them. We did
not disturb. We walked through a back
door to use the restroom. One of the
colleagues was the newest. So, she had
only been here maybe a month and a half
or so. And
>> say colleagues,
>> one of my
>> You mean your employees?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> So, she's not that familiar that the
house is like a fun house, the office.
It's a lot of little secret doors. And
once she was done, she came back into
the boardroom looking for myself and
another team member and heard them
discussing a candidate. Not only was it
a candidate that they were discussing,
it was not one that was there that day.
It was someone that she would not even
know their name. And I immediately
phoned the attorney who said that they
had disconnected. The meeting was
adjourned.
They met for about 45 minutes. And like
I said, I have footage of that.
I also when I walked in I said, "Oh, are
you guys still meeting?" Of course, I
was met with a no, but she had the
proof. I asked, "How much longer will
you be so that I can arm the building
before we go back over to the uh park to
Leone Park?" They said maybe about 10
minutes or so.
>> So, the question is, did do you know,
well, one of the questions, do you know
whether they were they took any action
in that 45m minute period?
Well, I will say that the next open
meeting they were down to one candidate
>> at that point. How many candidates was
it?
>> Three.
» You were one of the three though, right?
>> I was not one of the three.
>> You were not.
» How many commissioners were there
>> over the course of that entire day?
There were a total of five, but at any
given time, two of them had left to come
over to the um park. So, at the time
when we caught them in discussion,
Commissioner Thomas was not there.
>> So, how many of these?
>> Four.
>> So, it was four. Four people in total.
Okay.
>> No.
» So, this is the same. Okay. Let make
sure I understand. This is the same day
as a resident's appreciation day. Yes.
>> Okay. This is these are interviews.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Okay. Gotcha.
>> So, Commissioner Miller, he actually
joined the interviews late because he
stopped at the resident appreciation
event first.
>> Um, you can tell that by the time sync
because he is in our interview video.
Um, Commissioner Thomas joined the
interviews first and then he left
shortly after.
>> Okay.
So you the allegation here is that they
were discussing in Easter housing
business
after the meeting ended and not in a
public form.
>> Yes.
>> And that is one of the instidents.
Yes.
>> M.
>> Yes ma'am.
>> Um how many do you know how many um I
know we had open meetings at
>> um we had a girl come down.
Two is okay. Three is dangerous. Four is
no. That's a you cannot.
>> So technically, you know, if we in the
room together, we better not be talking
this,
>> right?
>> Correct.
>> You know what I'm saying? So, like I
said, two, three is dangerous. Four is a
no. And you said it was four people in
there.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> See, they only have five commissioners.
So, they would have a quorum with three.
>> With three. Correct. So, three is
dangerous.
>> Three. Three is a no.
>> A no. Why?
>> So, typically, you know, and and that's
not unusual in the sense that, you know,
if some of us, well, all of us pretty
much up here are friends.
>> I can talk to
Councilwoman Howard about something.
[laughter]
>> Didn't happen at the meeting because
there's no quorum.
>> There's no qu.
>> Now, we can't take any action, but we
can discuss it if we want. I can call
Councilwoman Richard and talk to her
individually about the same thing,
>> but we can't make any decisions.
>> Correct. until we're all together and
we're in a public setting pursuant to
open meetings.
>> So, um,
>> and the, um, attorney, I'm sorry. Go
ahead,
>> go ahead.
>> And the attorney I called and notified
because the team member heard the
candidates's name, which I know did
interview,
>> not that day.
>> The other, and I'm going just, and I
have a lot, so it's okay to give a
little little bit of nuggets. um on June
10th, which was the date that I finally
had an interview, and we'll get back to
the word finally. Um that's the one that
I declined, but I was still there to
help them because they were having
technical difficulties again. Okay.
>> So, I still stayed to help them. There
was not a roll call done before the
interview start.
I raised my hand and I was acknowledged
by Chairman Gillette and I said, "Aren't
you guys supposed to take roll call?"
And Miss Strowman said, "No, we're
interviewing."
Then
Milt said, "Are you guys taking notes
and roll call? You're supposed to. This
is a meeting."
>> And at that time, no one had note paper
or anything. Miller actually got paper
from the candidate, but the interview
meeting had already began.
>> Did they actually take a roll call after
the attorney told him they should?
>> No. What they did was later on in the
interview, and it's all recorded in the
cloud. Um, I forget if it was Miller or
Gillette that said, "I'm sorry, we
haven't even introduced ourselves to
you."
» All right. So June 10th, no roll call
was taken. Interview happened. So a
meeting happened with no roll calls.
>> That is correct. And there were other
people in attendance. Some that are in
this room.
>> Okay.
>> Is that enough of the open meetings
violation?
>> That's you.
>> Yeah, that's enough. I might need to say
that's enough.
>> Okay. One of the things I just want to
let know, we did receive uh copy of the
bylaws. First time I ever read them was
today. So uh they were just adopted in
October of 2025. So, a little under a
year ago, October 16th, I believe. Um,
and there were some items highlighted. I
know you guys are familiar with the
bylaws because you passed them. Um,
everybody on council got a copy of I
don't know if everybody read it, but I I
do want to go through with that because,
you know, it was presented and it was
highlighted, I think, in three different
areas that probably there should be some
discussion on. And I I apologize for
folks in the audience don't have a copy.
So you can't really but I will read the pertinent parts and it's pretty
straightforward.
Section three is called nomination of
the resident commissioner and there's
the whole thing is not highlighted but
basically it lays out a process of how
you select a resident commissioner and I
was unaware of this to be honest with
you but basically you you uh it's voted
on by the residents top three candidates
if you have three candidates are voted
on by the residents and then they are
submitted to me and then mayor and
council make the appointment. So that's
according to this bylaws. Um I think
that's new cuz that's not how we
appointed them in the past, but that's
fine. Um
so that was adopted October 16th.
We reappointed Commissioner Moore, who's
the resident commissioner, November 3rd.
Her term had already expired,
but she continued to serve because we
not we had not appointed anybody else or
reappointed her. So the bylaws were in
effect at the time we reappointed you
officially.
Now further on in the highlighted
section
um since my I'm going to take a wild
guess there was no vote uh there was no
top three people and there's no vote
taken when we reappointed you. I don't
remember anybody saying anything to me
about some other people were interested.
We typically ask somebody if they want
to continue to serve and if they say yes
and we want to reappoint them, we we
make the motion and we reappoint them.
This was new. We were not aware of this.
So even though you passed it, no one
gave it to us prior to November 3rd. Uh
so we didn't know about Yes, ma'am.
>> Can you check your emails? I gave it to
you after we met for the first time. I
said to you that your name was all
through it and you said, "Well, I
probably should see that if my name is
all through it." I emailed it to you. It
was probably November. I can verify when
I get back.
>> Oh, I'm not I'm not even going to
dispute that. He probably did, but it's
probably after November 3rd because
November 3rd was the first Monday of the
month and we probably didn't meet on
Saturday and Sunday. I know we did. So,
all I'm saying is I was unaware at the
time I appointed her.
>> I'm fine with it. Whatever you guys pass
the bylaws, we have to deal with.
>> You good?
>> Yeah.
>> Now, and you know, I kind of familiar
with this situation. The resident
commissioner will then serve the normal
term for any other member of the board,
which is a five-year term. At the
conclusion of the term, the nomination
process must be repeated, even if at the
end of the result is reappoint.
All resident commissioners must be in
remain in good standing. No lease
violations within the past year which
IHC if at any point the resident
commissioner becomes more than three
months in a rears with rent or other
debts to the commission or violates
their lease in any other ways they will
be terminated from the board and IHC
will undertake the nomination process
for a new appointee. Um, I don't want to
put words in your mouth, but I am
familiar with, there's only one resident
member is Miss Moore. And I am familiar
with a situation. I think we have
discussed in the past where there was a
mixup or something happened, but her she
was in a rears on her rent. And I think
I don't know if it was a mistake. I
don't remember the details, but I know
it was a couple years.
>> Well, it was a long time that the
mistake was left in place, which created
a large balance that was due. Am I
correct?
All right. Um, so I I assume that's what
we're talking about here.
>> That's one of them. Um, and then we also
have the bylaws for resident council as
well.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hit that last
part.
>> Bylaws for the uh Inster Housing
Commissioners and then also bylaws for
the Inkster housing resident council.
» Why is the resident council bylaws
issued?
because one of the same people is also
on the resident council that had the
violations as well and then the bylaws
they must remain in good standing and
there were two
>> we we don't govern now
>> I got it but I'm just sharing so it's a
crossover one is on
>> the language is the same essentially
okay so
I'm not I'm trying not to
[clears throat] even though this is a
public public hearings or meeting I'm
not trying Not to get anybody's details
of their situation. Sure. All right.
>> Let's just say this. Has that been
resolved?
>> Yes, it was resolved last year.
>> It was resolved this year.
>> It was resolved last year in November.
>> Okay.
>> I have all the paperwork that I can
prove that that was taken care of.
>> Do we have any aars at this point?
>> No.
>> Miss Wales, what's your position on
that?
I don't want to put anyone's business
out there.
>> You don't I'm sorry.
>> I don't want to put anybody's business
out there like
>> No, I don't want to hear numbers and
stuff, but do
» I don't know how to say this. Um
do do you feel there's some Maria still
outstanding?
>> Not in not that drastic. No, no, I
don't.
>> Not three months.
>> No, no, no. Absolutely not. No. Excuse
me.
>> That's fine. Don't worry about I mean
that's fine. So in other words, at this
today this is not applicable.
>> No, that that part is not No.
>> Okay, then we'll move on. The next
section was section five,
housing commission chairperson. Um
» and it basically says that the housing
commission chairperson should attend all
the meetings. I mean essentially um
I'm just pausing because
now I'm trying to put my finger on it.
My understanding is that if you miss
more than how many meetings?
>> Three.
meetings. Um,
this is the way I read it. If you miss
more than three meetings, the commission
has can contact the mayor and say, "Hey,
the person hasn't been coming. We need
somebody to replace it."
>> That's I'm paraphrasing, but that's my
understanding.
>> Mr. Mayor, isn't that unexcused?
>> Their bylaws don't speak to excuse,
aren't you? If you miss the meetings,
>> they have the commission has the
opportunity to say, "Hey, we're trying
to conduct business and this person's
not coming."
>> Okay,
>> mayor, you need to do something about
>> Okay.
Take a break. One second. Let's make a
master copy. Make a copy.
>> Oh, you need this?
>> Because when we have the feature that
was used to highlight it, it blocked
stuff out. It won't print. Right.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Real quick. Yeah. Just 30 seconds. I'll
bring yours right now.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Just Just so everybody knows,
I was never contacted about anybody
missing in meetings. I am aware that Mr.
Gillette is working out of town, but no
commissioner has contacted me or sent me
an email asking for him to be replaced.
Now, the language says shall, and excuse
all the legal junk. Shall means they
have an option to let me know or not.
Um, I'm sorry, they may. Shall. May.
It was the question, not shall. If
it says shall, they have to tell me. May
is their option to let me know if it's a
prop.
>> So, I read it as they had an option. I
did not get contacted.
>> So, I haven't done anything. So,
>> mayor, can I speak? Mhm.
>> So, as we did when um Commissioner
Strowman was out
>> ill,
>> we knew that she was out ill for several
months,
>> right?
>> Um we knew that as her that was her
still absence. So, we all came to the
conclusion that you know we did not need
any practice. It's the same way with Mr.
Gillette.
>> We know that his job took took him to
out of town.
>> He has been trying to communicate, you
know, we Miller spoken with him. He was
here. He was here in May. He was here in
June and he also was here in July.
>> Y
>> that was one of the reasons why we did
not.
» So the way I understand they basically
have discretion. Um and I I was
definitely aware of Commissioner
Strowman's
>> when she missed meetings. Um I was with
her. I mean, so I was aware of that and
they did not take any action. And then
um Sher Gillette, I spoke to him at
least once since he's been in California
and they did not take action.
>> Sure. Go ahead.
>> Uh so yes, there is a difference between
unexcused for certain reasons. Miss uh
Commissioner Strowman did notify me
herself as the AED. Matter of fact, I
think I might have Yeah, it was right after that. Um after we had the
transition in leadership,
>> she notified me. Typically when the
board will not be able to attend a board
meeting, they notify me.
>> Notifications and communications stopped
after February 5th, 2026 when the mayor
of Ingster said my name in his state of
the city address.
>> Period. Period. Okay.
>> From who? from
three other board uh three of the board
commissioners.
>> So when you say stop communicating, they
talk to you at the meeting because you
guys have to talk at a meeting.
>> Yeah, we talk at the meetings. Um but
it's a different style. But as far as
like responding to emails, calling me,
someone else will be notified. So I say
that to say to this moment, Gregory
Gillette has not notified the AED that I
am on assignment in California. I
actually found out from the recruiter,
not even from Commissioner Moore. Only
found out from Commissioner Moore when
she said that it's a three-hour time
difference and she had to call him late
in the day.
>> So, what do are you saying you think he
has an obligation to let you know?
>> I'm saying that's professional. We we we
plan a meeting. Um we're going through a
process. I'm running an agency.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But
>> communication, he's the chair.
>> Yeah. But he could be as unprofessional
as he wants. It's a volunteer position.
So that's
>> those are excuses.
>> Oh, no, no, no, hold on. I I No, no. We
not we not going to rock this meeting
like that. Let me Let me let y'all know
this is not the housing meeting. This is
the Insta City Council meeting. We don't
talk out of turn. You will have
opportunity to talk because I I want to
hear what you have to say. If you want
to do a public comment, but we we're not
going to have chatter coming from the
audience. You know, it's not going down
like that. All I'm saying to you is that
okay, we can take that under
consideration as the person who appoints
and removes. Um,
but I just wanted to make sure that you
didn't feel he had an obligation to
communicate with you cuz I I didn't see
that anywhere in the bylaws. That's all
I'm saying.
I'm not defending him. I'm just saying I
didn't see that he had to contact you.
Um, I just see your duties for the
commissioners. If they they think so,
they want to report it to me, which they
have not. I didn't see anything about
any communication with you. But I
understand what you're saying. Once I
open my big mouth at the state of the
city in support of you, you did not he
did not communicate directly with you
anymore. Right.
>> That is correct.
>> Okay. All right.
The reason why the communication wasn't
um related to her after you made that
statement, Miss Wells had notified us
that she was going to be a candidate.
So, um there was information that, you
know, we really could not speak to her
about because we were already into a
third party person that was uh coming
in November of 2025. You
>> record her?
>> Yes. Okay.
>> And then and at that point by the time
January came, you know, it was like she
wanted to be first. She said no. Then
she was like yes, she want to be
considered for the ED position. Okay.
>> Once you did that, you know, it was like
she's considered to be an ED. So we
cannot relay any information to her or
talk to her about different things
because she was going to be a candidate
for the ED position. I mean, it would be
like us talking to the other candidates,
[clears throat] letting them know this this this and I do have a email
that she did send me letting me know
that any correspondence that need to go
out send it to Miss Jan White because of
you know her position.
>> That makes sense. I mean I think she's
talking about something else though. But
>> um [clears throat and cough]
>> yeah you she should have been part of
the process if she's a candidate. No
question. Or even discussion about the
process.
>> Exactly.
>> She's talking about communicating
whether you're going to make it to a
meeting or not. So, probably two
different things. Um, but again, I don't
think he had an obligation. We may or
agree or disagree with it. It was
unprofessional if he didn't communicate
with her. I mean, I don't have any
opinion, you know, but I understand what
she's saying when she's saying she
expected communication. Let's say that.
Um, but okay. Nevertheless,
should do we need to discuss that any
further? I mean, I I don't know what to
do with that.
I think we should. And the only reason I
say that is because yeah, she skipped a
lot of months. The email to reach out to
Jamila
>> was way closer to today's date.
>> Is that?
>> Yes. It was not in February. It was not
in March. It was not in April. The
contract and everything, he was not even
paid until March.
>> So,
>> who wasn't paid? I'm sorry.
>> Uh, stand quiet.
>> Oh, you talking about the recruit? I
thought you told Mr. Jul.
>> She's saying he was uh uh what do you
say? Procured and all that in November.
That is not true.
>> He didn't get
>> But really, that doesn't matter. I mean,
>> no, but but she's what she's saying is
that was the reason why Chairman
Gillette stopped communicating with me,
which makes no sense at all when I'm
running your agency.
>> You already told me your version of why
he stopped commun after I said I support
you, he stopped communicating to you.
That's very clear. Um
>> and as did uh Commissioner Moore. No, I
mean,
>> Mr. Mayor, just a question. Um, Miss
Swells, would
>> So, is there a secretary of the Inkster
housing commission?
>> Yes.
>> Who's the secretary?
>> Oh, of the Inkster Housing Commission?
>> Yes.
>> Uh, typically it's myself.
>> Takes the minutes.
>> So, you take the minutes.
>> Okay. So, now Jamila does because I'm in
this dual role. Jamila White. Yes.
>> Gotcha. Okay. And the reason I was
asking u Mr. there is in the how we went
back and forth on the planning
commission with the recorded secretary
really just kind of past practice
certifying the minutes but most times
the clerk or the secretary of the board
is whomever would be responsible for
receiving the absences. Um it is you
know professional courtesy that a board
member would alert somebody from the
board that they're going to be absent
for an extended amount of time whatever
the case may be unless they're
incapacitated because they do jeopardize
one of having a quorum. Mhm.
>> So yeah, I think you know that's
something that the board needs to take
into consideration regardless of it
being in the bylaws or not.
>> No, no, but he he communicated with
them.
>> Oh, he communicated with them.
>> No, no, they knew where they knew.
>> She didn't know.
>> So at the meeting,
no one from the board when his name was
called Road said anything. They just sat
there. Y'all just sat there silent.
» You just said absent, but you didn't say
he's out of town. He
>> said California. I mean, you know, I was
under the impression that we all knew
that he was in California. It wasn't
like it was a secret because he did let
everyone know that his job was taking
him to California.
>> I think all the commissioners knew for
sure.
>> Okay.
So, you said he let everyone know was
his email in a formal meeting or just in
passing?
>> I don't know if it was an email or not
at this moment because I did talk to
email
Okay. I was just bringing that up for
the future uh any commissioners just to
know that hey it's a common courtesy to
let your colleagues and or whomever the
clerk of the board whether it's the ex
uh acting executive director or not or
an appointed clerk at that particular
time hey I'm not going to be at this
meeting because of x y and z that way
because when we get ready to you know
come up if no one is communicated and we
sitting here waiting on the rest of the
board members to show up and we don't
have a quorum we can't conduct business
that makes sense.
>> Makes sense.
>> Great.
>> Yeah. I found out um if I may, I
actually found out as I said by staying
quiet because when I was originally
finally reached out to on
Oh goodness, it was I'm going to let you
know the exact date
after all the emails. he reached out to
me on Saturday, May 9th, which we also
were having um a Mother's Day event over
at the Simmons Center. And so I remember
it vividly because I was shopping for
flowers for the ladies when he called.
And he said that he was calling to
schedule um an interview for May 13th at
8:00 p.m. And I did ask why did it, you
know, need to occur at 8:00 p.m. And
that's when he said that. Oh yeah,
chairman is in uh California and I don't
know when he's coming back. I said he
may not be back for a while. That was
how I was notified.
» Okay.
>> Anything else on this issue,
commissioners?
>> I do have a something to say as far as
the opening.
>> Sure.
>> Go ahead.
So the very first one that we were
supposed to have was supposed to be for
Friday, May 22nd and that Saturday, May
23rd.
>> Okay.
>> Um the information was taken with myself
and the receptionist. We changed the top
part of the of the meeting, the dates
and everything. I didn't look at the
Zoom link because I mean I don't do the
Zoom link. This came from out of the
computer at 4500 in the road. So why did
you do it this time?
>> Well, I was doing it because of the
simple fact the meeting had to be the
special meeting had to be posted and by
Miss Wells being in, you know, in the
candidate and I had to make sure that was done. I do have a letter here
that she told me to make sure that I
gave everything to Janu also to Troy
>> and also to our person that communicate
because um since she could not get that
information
that as a matter of fact that email was
dated for May Monday May 18th
>> you don't have that I can always
>> is that the meeting that end up getting
cancelled Yes, that's one of them.
>> Um because
as a matter of fact, Mayor Pro
Steven Tism called me and told me there
was a number missing from off of the
Zoom link. And I was like, how? Cuz all
I did was copy. We came copy the seat
out of the computer and repost at that
meeting.
was to be able to do
that meeting. Milton
could never pronounce his last name, but
>> he told us that we could not have that
meeting because of that Zoom link was
missing that number that particular
meeting that's the meeting that Miss
Wells was supposed to interview. She was
in the she was in the office in her
office on Zoom which um Chair Dette did
say that he had asked her not to be in
the building because he wanted her to be on Zoom so that none of
the and all the candidates was like
that. He wanted everybody to be have the
same process for the interview at that
time.
>> How would the process be any different
if she was in the building?
>> I I don't know. I cannot question him.
I'm just saying what was said.
>> Okay.
>> At that time, like I said,
>> the chair. The chair.
>> He didn't want her in the building when
she did her Zoom interview.
>> Is this the chair that's in California?
[laughter]
>> He was here.
>> Oh, he was here.
>> He was here. So what was the Zoom for?
>> The Zoom was for We were told that there
had to be an open meeting. There had to
be participants on the Zoom and and in
person.
>> Oh, so some of the candidates had to do
it by Zoom.
>> Yes. All the candidates did it by Zoom.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> So that's why all the candidates did by
the Zoom, but we found out that they
couldn't get in. It was because
he told us that there was a there was a
number. At that point, everybody was
still on the Zoom link. And it was said,
and I know everybody here know, the
commissioner knows it was said that the
Zoom link, and I quote,
I made sure all my people had the right
Zoom link, but Mrs. Moore didn't. And
she's on the Zoom now, and Mrs. Moore
didn't give them the correct Zoom link.
So, when she came out and Mil before she
came out, Mil said, "This meeting has to
be cancelled. we have to stop this
meeting, which we did. At that point, he
did say that they could be they could be
able to go through the sunshine law and
we could be able to have to have 18
hours
>> before we post the correction for the
meeting. That was done. Mr. Gillette
um has done like Mr. Gillette initiated.
said that this was okay for us to cross
out the May 22nd date, put the right
Zoom number and put the Saturday, May
30th, 2026 4 p.m. start. This was posted
on the building at 4500 and on the
building at 20 295
Simmons building.
>> Okay. And
» and here.
>> Yeah. Oh, and here. And we
commissioner Miller came and put it on
the door.
>> Okay. So that was all taken care of. So
>> did you meet the next day?
>> Yes, we did.
>> What happened at the meeting?
>> We met we met the next day, which I do
have a um
I do have something from the our third
party, Mr. Stan Quay, but he tried to
get in touch with Miss Wils the night
before. He did say he spoke with her
because she was a little upset, which I
understood why she was upset because she
said she was prepared for the interview,
but it did not He wanted her to come at
4:00 the next day.
>> The next day.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> She said at that time she said no. But I
do have the the paperwork that says that
he did try to contact her. He did try to
contact her on her email, but he did
both office and personal email because
it was a Saturday. He wanted to see if
she was going to be able to be scheduled
for that meeting. He said there was a no
call. No sir. Oh, she did not he she did
not communicate with him.
>> No.
>> Okay.
>> He did not communicate with him at that
point. And we did get a he did send
another letter or email. She told us
that she had take a mental day and that
was why. So that was one of the reason
why she did not get that interview. But
>> she still with you on I'm sorry for
interrupting. Is she still was she still
with you on Friday when you decided to
move the date to Saturday? Was she still
>> Yes, she was still in the room. She was
still in the room that particular day
that that Friday because she was really
upset. She she like I said I
>> Well, she was in the room with you.
>> I was in the room.
>> No, not same room with her.
>> Excuse when um she came out.
>> I wasn't there.
>> She came out of when she came out of her
office.
>> Yes, I was I was in the room still.
>> Did y'all decide
>> We all was still in the room.
>> Did you decide you're going to meet the
next day while she was in the room?
>> Yes. She knew that we were going to meet
the next day that Saturday.
>> Okay.
>> Like I said, but it was Mr. Craig took
her out of your hall because he asked
her but she was really really upset you
know and so he asked her at that time
would she be able to interview at 4:00
she did tell him no he did tell her well
you need to get with me to so we can
reschedu
>> for Saturday now I have all those his
emails I have them stating that this
information I'm not just talking
>> so I'm just only reason I as so it
wasn't a no call no No, he talked to
her. She said she was unavailable and he
said he'd get back with her later for
with another time.
>> He did. It was both in the in the email.
They both did. They said that they were
going to get back with him to reschedu
the
>> Okay.
>> But like I said, he said when he tried
to call her, she didn't answer. So, you
know, we end up going on with the
interview.
>> So, the next day you interviewed some
other folks.
>> Okay.
>> So, that was the only violation for Oh,
I'm sorry. of July of July 11th
that was posted that we all were there.
That was the day of the resident
appreciation.
>> Um
there was a correction. I was want to
correct that. You said that Mr. Miller
came straight over there. No, Mr. Miller
came to the interviews that we would
have but there was two people that was
interviewing because one had already
interviewed that Friday.
That was from July of July 10th and this
is July 11th. He came he said that he
was going to go over he would to do the
interview at the for appreciation. So he
came in first and let us know that he
was and then he left
>> at that point. He had just left myself
and commissioner was commissioner Thomas
there at that time. Yes, he was myself.
No, I'm sorry. He was not there. He got
a chance to see um
>> both was it both entries? Okay. I'm
sorry. My mistake. Yeah. He was there as
myself, Mr. Thomas
and Commissioner.
>> Okay. Four out of the five.
>> Yes. And so after that, like I said,
because they did come in, she wasn't
telling the story. They did her name.
>> And at that time, you know, we were
talking about the
both candidates that was it want to talk
about anything else and we told them
give them about 10 minutes I told about
10 minutes
at that point
Mr. Thomas left that left myself and
we all walked out because I told her let
me go over to the res
» okay I think I saw y'all over there I
know I saw Mr. Miller. Um, okay. So, let
me safe to say you were not aware that
you couldn't disc shouldn't be
discussing.
>> Yes, we knew that, you know, so we
didn't discuss, like I said, when he
came back, Mr. Miller came back for the last person that we were
interviewing and we all we talked the
gentleman left, we talked, we made that
because the for some reason the Zoom
link kept giving us only 30 minutes and
it was shut off.
Somebody had the cheap account.
>> Free free account.
[laughter]
>> That was the reason why we end up losing
milk and sand.
>> Okay.
>> So, y'all did discuss two of the
candidates after the meeting had ended.
>> Not really after the meeting had ended.
We discussed after the candidate had
left. The candidate had just left
because he had his children.
>> No, no one had adjourned the meeting.
You see, you did not in the meeting.
>> No, we didn't end the meeting
>> because we were still sitting there
because we were trying to get and milk
back on the line because we wanted to
make sure that they knew what we want
had to do. Okay. is because we were
supposed to do um questionnaers to score
all three of those candidates.
>> Okay.
>> And as she said there was only one
candidate. No, there was still three
candidates. We scored all three of the
candidates.
>> Oh, she said it was three, not counting
herself. I think that's what she said. I
think she That's what she said. Do y'all
remember?
>> You're correct, Mayor.
>> Oh, you weren't here. [laughter]
Uh but anyway, y'all had never adjourned
the meeting. So, basically, the meeting
was still going. Whether Milt's there or
not is irrelevant, Right. The meeting
was still going. We wasn't just talking
amongst ourselves. Meeting was still
going because of the simple fact we had
just two candidates had just left.
>> Okay.
>> And we wanted to make sure that
Commissioner Miller found out. Well, he
kind of didn't want to one of the
candidates was [clears throat]
>> not.
>> I doubt he didn't. But um we wanted to
let him hear his opinion about
everything when he came back in. So when
they came in, it was quite a few of the
ladies that came in. They came in
through the side door, you know, and
then like I said, we, you know, because
that wasn't the first interruption we
had had, but it was okay. We just was
like, fine. So, you know, like I said,
and I do have everything.
>> Mr. Mayor,
>> um, while we're on that particular
subject with open meetings and utilizing
a virtual platform, um, going forward in
the future, a note should be taken for
Zoom. If you are going to post a meeting
using Zoom and allow candidates or
whomever to join the meeting with the
public body, um, a couple things should
be
uniform across the board. If the acting
executive director is making the Zoom
meeting or scheduling it, the PMI option
should be selected, which means personal
meeting ID. That is the one that is
associated firmly with that Zoom
account. If the meeting ends for
whatever the reason may be, whether it's
a technical difficulty or if it's a time
limit, if you restart that meeting with
that same PMI, it will be the exact same
information that is on the meeting
notice. If you start a new meeting
without the PMI, it will not be the
exact same information. Therefore, it
violates the open meetings act.
>> I want to say this one thing and I want
to read it to you because this is what
it said because I text her to ask the
question. This is from Miss Wells to me.
It actually says um I do not believe
that there are any issues that will
prevent you from using the already
generated board meeting link and that's
what I thought that we had on the page.
You you can use the copy and paste
feature that is in the calendar invite
for tomorrow for ease of use. Please
note that an announcement says document
sheets will still need to be created
distributed to appropriate outlet for
the city. We typically use um PR Mr. T
seat internal communication office
talking to me but however since I am not
directly involved in this matter to
white should be included instead this is
David from Monday May 18th
>> gotcha yeah I just wanted to make that
note um because that goes for anybody
who creates it once that meeting is
scheduled
>> um via Zoom it should you should make
sure that it's the personal meeting ID
for uniformity across the board because
that's what's on the notice. And so if
you start a new one and that box isn't
checked, it's going to change that
information. You're going to be
scrambling in the middle of the meetings
trying to get
employees or candidates or elected
officials, whatever the case may be, the
new information to get online and then
if that happens again, it's just a
recycling type of matter of issues. So I
just wanted to make that note. Um if
there's no central person create uh
making it just for continuity.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So are we anything else needs
to be said on the meeting where they
were talking about candidates?
>> Uh yeah. Uh she just said it was the two
that they had interviewed that day or
maybe even including the one that they
interviewed that night before. That is
not the name of the candidate that the
employee heard. Period.
>> But do you understand though if the
meeting was not adjourned, they can talk
about any candidate.
>> I also confirmed because July 11th was
Milton Spic's birthday. By the time I
spoke with him, he was out having
dinner. So the meeting had adjourned,
like I said, at least 45 minutes before.
>> I have access to the cameras.
>> Hold on. Hold on. Whether Mint was there
or not doesn't mean the meeting
adjourned. I'm just saying I don't know
whether it was adjourned or not. I'm
just saying Milton is not necessary for
the meeting. The city attorney I mean
the the attorney is not necessary.
>> I'm sharing with you that before the
meeting adjourned they wanted to go into
close session and discuss candidates. He
himself will share this. He told them no
you have to do it in open meeting.
>> Do it in public.
>> Okay we got it. We're done. They did the
meeting adjournment. I never saw those
um particular, you know, notes. It's on
the board minutes that I didn't get
those. But when I called him back, he
said, "Yeah, we were done a while ago."
And I reviewed the footage and he was
correct. I saw when they logged off.
>> Okay. What I'm focusing in, I'm sorry
cuz my brain I'm very linear.
If no one made a motion to adjourn the
meeting and they stayed and kept
talking, the meeting is still going. If
someone made a motion to adjourn and it
vote got voted on and they adjourned the
meeting, then you are 100% correct. If
they kept talking, there's a problem.
>> I can confirm they did.
>> I I don't know. I wasn't there. I'm just
saying that's to me that's what I'm
zeroing in on. They saying they didn't
make a motion. If you heard a motion
because you were on Zoom. Well, I think
the Zoom ended at that point.
>> No, the Zoom was over. Yeah.
>> I don't know. I mean, I guess if you
weren't in the room,
>> just trust me.
>> I got my ways. Um, but anyways, I just
wanted to combat some of the things that
she was sharing. Um, if we and it's
really quickly, I'm not going to take
you down long memory lane, but I will
share this with the council. I have all
of the dates of this horrible experience
during this process. And one of them,
um, cuz Mayor, I know you personally
just last Monday, I believe it was on
the 17th, was approached by Miss Ivonne
Moore, and the only thing that I kept
hearing while I stood over there was her
saying, "I declined. I canceled. I was a
no-show." That is not correct. As I
said, Stan reached out to me on May 9th
at 8 in the morning on a Saturday to
schedule me for May 13th. Okay, this
should sound familiar because when we
did the commercial, you asked, they
cancelled my interview the night before
at 7:53 p.m. And the reason was because
they were notified that they did not
adhere to the Open Meetings Act. They
had not posted it. They had not made it
public.
>> Clear on that. But this what I'm trying
to it was a statement made. I don't know
if it's true or not that you were there
and he talked to you that night.
>> Unless No, that's wrong.
>> Y'all hear that?
>> That is wrong. This is a whole time and
that's what I'm saying. You're hearing
the the the villain side. You're not
hearing the truth. My original first
interview was scheduled for May 13th
at 8:00 p.m. This is a Wednesday. So it
wasn't made the later date in May. You
said
>> correct. It started way before the
information that you all have received.
>> Okay. So I can vividly tell you it was a
Tuesday night at 7:53 p.m. because I sat
in the parking lot at Famous Days
because I stayed in the office to
prepare because I was excited for my
interview the next day. And right up
against that 24-hour mark, Stan reached
out. I too have the same email that she
has. I have everything. This is just a
percentage of it. Was that was that
meeting noticed up?
>> No.
>> Now I also have it recorded where when
he reached out to me, I also advised him
to make sure that it was properly posted
and communicated. And he said that,
"Yeah, we didn't have to do that with
Aaron. I don't know how they handled it
with the last person, but I'll let them
handle that." Okay, that was on the 9th,
right? I have it documented. Moving
forward, they cancelled that interview.
Okay. Then the next one
>> real quick. They canceled. They couldn't
have had the meeting anyway because they
didn't notice.
>> Yes. So they cancelled my interview that
was scheduled.
>> So they canceled on you first. That's
what you
>> canceled on me first. That was the first
one. The second one was when I actually
was following up.
I have emails and I just started being
really transparent and instead of just
communicating with Stan Quai, I included
all five board members.
I also included starting back in April
when I gave them each my resume packet
on February 17th. I gave it to Gregory
Gillette, Ivonne Moore, Mabel Strowman,
and William Miller.
>> On February 17th,
>> Mr. Thomas wasn't there.
>> On August,
>> Mr. Thomas wasn't there.
>> He was not there. On August 18th, this
is just the disrespect. On August 18th,
the packet that I gave Commissioner
Strowman, she brought it back to me and
said it's still sealed. I didn't even
open it.
>> Did she tell you she didn't? She thought
you submitted through the recruiter.
>> She said there's a process to follow. I
believe you were in that meeting. Okay.
>> But we we pick and choose and want to
follow processes because we just went
through the bylaws. We didn't follow
processes. But anyways, so no one
responded. Stan already had candidates.
I'm continuing to reach out. I was
advised to even ask for a job
description because I never had it. No
one ever even shared where to locate it.
I had to Google and I found a blurb that
I printed out a blurb on or narrow very
vague. And when I questioned him in
here, he himself said he did not even
have the job description and continue to
reach out to the board. I have email
where they said just send her that one.
It'll work. old one, not the new one. My
next interview date,
I get contacted
um let's see, on
May 18th about No, I'm reaching out to
them on like May 18th like, "Hey, can we get this back on the schedule?
What's going on?" Stan sends an email
and says, "We're looking to do uh
interviews sometime later next week."
But I also have it documented. I went on
a family reunion in Tuskegee, Alabama.
My daddy is 73 and he's the baby. So,
all six of his sisters are in their 70s
or 80s. We only do it every other two
years. This was booked February 23rd,
2026.
I said, "Okay, good to know. Just FYI,
I'm out next week on vacation."
Ladies and gentlemen, that next week was
Memorial Day weekend, Friday at 8:00
p.m. Now, I received a lot of ridicule
from people saying, "Oh, you should have
made it happen. You should have went."
Well, guess what? Once again, it did not
happen. They had to cancel what they had
planned because one of the
commissioners, it was his birthday
weekend and no one even got with him.
No, that was the weekend before. It was
his birthday weekend. No one even had
confirmed with him
>> from what the meeting
>> that they were doing these meetings,
these interviews.
>> So let's just say had I said, "Okay,
daddy, lose the money that you have. You
have to drive down to Alabama by
yourself." And they cancelled.
>> Well, let's not go through
hypotheticals. So the meeting didn't
happen. Is that the bottom line?
>> Again, correct. And that was not a
Sheena Wells.
>> You told them you were unavailable
because you were out of time. They
didn't have the meeting anyway.
>> Okay. So why is it even a big deal in a
sense? Um but I did ask for and I was
very patient and I did ask if you know
coming back from the holiday which that
Monday was a holiday if I could be
scheduled.
>> Um and I continue to have to ask ask ask
and I can go on and on but the the
process
>> commissioner
council woman
>> you can finish the thought and then just
remember to come back to me once you
>> fine go ahead. So, because I came a
little bit late, I just want to make
because the way my brain works, I just
want to make sure that I'm on track. So,
are are you looking to have an
opportunity to interview? Are you
looking to that? That's like ultimately
your end goal is to at least have a fair
opportunity to interview.
>> Correct.
>> At minimum. Yes.
>> At minimum. Okay. And then is there
anything else you're looking for us to
do? um and decision like what decision
do you want us to make tonight so I can
know by the end of the meeting whether
if I need to take a vote or kind of
where to go from I mean I don't know if
we need to take a vote or not but I'm
just saying like
>> kind of like what
>> is the purpose of us being here because
my understanding like
>> we aren't the governing body right and
so at least I can speak for myself I can
make suggestions
>> and I can um yeah I can make phone
calls, I can make suggestions. Um, I
from my understanding may even be able
to remove the board. Even though in the
bylaws it says in order to even remove
like one member, they have to kind of
initiate that. So that's kind of unclear
to me.
>> No, no, no. That's their bylaws. Our
charter said we can remove
>> you can remove them
>> four members with cause.
>> Got it. Okay. So we're trying to
establish cause to remove them
currently.
>> We're not trying to establish cause.
>> Well,
>> we're listening.
>> Okay.
>> If we deem there is cause, then we can
take action.
>> Got it. Okay. So I just wanted to make
it very clear so I can track. Well,
okay. Oh, thank you.
>> So when we say Okay, now I think I got
it now. Unless we There's more meetings.
Is there more meetings that we haven't
talked about?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. [laughter]
>> All right.
>> What's the
>> Okay. For the one that Miss Wells is
speaking of.
for the one that Miss Wells was speaking
of as far as for Memorial's Day weekend.
That particular um weekend, we had asked
her because we were trying to get all
the interviewers in as soon as possible.
[clears throat]
>> So, we were trying to find out. We
actually put her first and asked her if
she could be available for that week.
It's like she told us and I have them
email. I can read it or I'll just wait
and read it out.
>> It was said that no, I could not go. are
going to Alabama
>> and that you know um I won't be able to do interview. So they asked was it
possible because they wanted her to be
able to interview. Was it possible for
her to take 30 minutes maybe while she
was down in Alabama to send the
interview? Okay. At that point she did
tell us no I cannot because I don't know
what type of activities and this is in
the email that my aunt was going to
have. So we were like fine. At that
point there was no meetings done for
that week. That next week when after we
came back on the 26th
>> hold on real quick. Just because she
said that you canceled all the
interviews or you just decided not to
meet them?
>> They decided not to meet at all.
>> So it had nothing to do with really what
she said.
>> No because they was like okay they
wanted her to be first. That was the
whole point in a nutshell. Okay.
>> They wanted her to be first on the on
that. So they decided, okay, it is
Memorial's Day weekend and they they
will not try to go any other interviews.
That's was how that was. Okay.
>> Next week, and she said she's coming
back, you know, um
>> for the interviewers. We did schedule
the interview for May 22nd. That's the
meeting that got screwed up, messed up
because
>> May 22nd. Could have been May.
>> It was not May 22nd. No,
>> that's that's before Memorial Day,
>> right?
>> May 22nd. That was the meeting that we
were supposed to have, but we didn't.
>> So, you know, like I said,
>> so that was the first meeting.
>> Then the then the Memorial Day weekend,
you didn't meet.
>> We didn't meet at all. Period.
>> So, when was the next meeting?
>> The next meeting was um
we didn't have another meeting until the
30th. That was the meeting on the 30th.
>> 30th of May or June?
>> May.
There was no interview scheduled on the
30th.
>> On the 30th of June. Yes. Not on May.
Not in May.
>> June 30th. There there were interviews
scheduled.
>> No, May 30th.
» Anybody follow May 30th? I'm sorry. It
was May 30th that the interview was
scheduled.
>> They were scheduled.
>> Yes. Okay.
>> As well as May 29th.
>> 29th and the 30th. They were scheduled
for that day.
>> Was she Was she?
>> I'm sorry.
I I just my mind is just
>> racing and confused.
>> Yeah, it is.
>> Um, so the meetings for the 29th or the
30th that you schedule, was she given an
opportunity to be interviewed?
>> Opportunity to be able to to come in for
that meeting.
>> And what happened?
>> That meeting that's the meeting that we
end up having that that Friday because
of the
>> notice
>> the notice, right? And so then we had
the meeting that Saturday which she was
supposed to attend for that Saturday
that she
>> she was there that Friday then she got
upset and didn't
>> Yes.
Then the next meeting that we had was on
we didn't have another meeting in We
didn't have a meeting in June but there
was conversation in June regarding the
meeting.
>> There was what conversation
>> in June regarding the meeting. Yes.
So was she scheduled anytime after that
or she
>> scheduled after that for the meetings
that we were going to have
that um July because that's when um we
were going through all make sure all the
candidates will be available and that's
when we had the meeting
>> that when she said that she was
available in July
>> she wasn't available because that that
111 a.m. on um July 10th in the morning,
she sent us a a email telling us that
she was withdrawing from being the ED.
>> Okay.
>> So, I mean, so at that point,
>> what date was that?
>> That was the day before 10th 11:11
a.m. in the morning
>> on June or July.
>> I'm sorry, July. July 10th. That was the
last time we were going to do it. And
that's when Mr. that she was going to
withdraw at that time.
>> What's your position now?
>> Uh I am the acting executive director
and the director of human resources
>> for
>> Easter housing commission. Yes.
>> And how long have you done that?
>> Um how long have I what I'm sorry.
>> How long have you been in that position?
>> Um so I've been with Easter housing
commission since November 15, 2021. So
it'll be five years this November. And
recently I've been in the dual role of
acting executive director, director of
human resources since September 17th.
Well, we dated it back, but September
28th, 2025.
So, next month will be a year.
>> There's a question.
>> Question. Yes. Uh do you
so when you have employees like that, do
you do evaluations
for
to see if they're competent or they're
not or if they're doing a good job, pay
raise or do you guys do evaluations
like for
>> we did not do an evaluation when they
put her in as acting um executive
director. Um at the time our other um
executive director had resigned. Um they
didn't want to leave the keep open too
long because we were actually going
through a red development. They wanted
to make sure that we still had someone
in place. So they put appointed Miss
Wells as acting executive director at
that time.
>> Can I ask for the they are please?
>> I was about to say that. You mean the
boards
>> commission
>> commissioners? So at that time that's
when they um they
>> oh I'm sorry
>> they um appointed her appointed her as
acting executive director
>> and she was satisfactory.
>> Well yes I mean she gave us her
paperwork to let us know since the the
other one had resigned. So I mean that
same night. So I mean that was something
that was asked of
>> I want to say I object so bad.
» Okay.
You good?
>> Yeah. Now, I received a text message at
1000 p.m. from the chairman of the board
after the situation with the former ED.
I won't get into details about that. And
I was volunte, you are in charge. That
is how it went down. I have the text
message. Again, the board did not
receive my packet until February 17th
and then Commissioner Thomas received it
on March 6th before he went to a
conference. So it was not in September.
>> I think two different things.
>> Two different things.
>> She's saying as soon as the other the
last ED left,
>> they received something from you
requesting to be to act. Is that what
you're saying?
>> Said my packet.
>> That is your that was your package. I'm
not going to sit here and say
>> when did I give it to you?
>> Was but it was just you know it was you
it was submitted. You submitted.
>> I'll put it back.
>> The appointment was a request made other
executive director design that same
night. that she left that we were
presented with a a paper that was asking
us exactly what they wanted and what was
all the details in that package.
>> Who is that?
>> Miss
>> I'm confused.
>> I thought you appointed her.
>> The night that the night that the
executive director resigned and she left
out of the building that same night,
Miss Wells was appointed as the acting
executive director. She gave us the
package as far as what she wanted.
>> Hold on, hold on, hold on.
>> Was that a night of a meeting?
>> Yes,
>> it was. We were in close session
afterwards. We were in close session. We
were not in a meeting. We were in
>> Well, that's that's a meeting. That's a
meeting.
>> That's a meeting. And it was a
resolution.
>> When I say we weren't in our regular
meeting, we were in close session. And
that came our attorney was there. He was
on the phone and that was um taken. A
vote was taken.
>> Took a vote to appoint her act.
>> You all appointed her. That's all I need
to know. Okay,
>> that's fine.
>> They or they.
>> Okay, that's fine.
>> Who recommended her?
>> How was she re?
>> I heard it was unanimous.
>> That's what I heard from Chairman
Gillette.
>> Well, no hearsay.
>> I'm just asking I just wanted to know
>> recommend her
>> who who recommended her to take that
position.
>> Majority of the commission felt that she
was the right person to lead the agency
at that time. So you guys got together
and said, "Oh, Kim would be good." And
then you voted on it in a close session
meeting. That's what I'm saying.
>> Majority of the commission made the
decision in close session. She was the
best fit to lead the lead the agency at
that time. I came back in town, I think
somebody else, and we all supported them
because she was our HR director. She
knew the she knew the agency better than
probably most people in there. So she
was re recommended by the board,
>> right?
>> She was appointed appointed, but but she
you had to have a recommendation before
you even appoint them. So they had to
know that she was competent.
>> Well, no, they
>> and competent to do the job. That's what
I'm trying to say.
>> So why can't you all just give her an
opportunity to at least interview?
>> We did.
[applause]
» We did until that day on the 10th. She
withdrew. She withdrew on the 10th. That
same day she was supposed to interview
at at 6 o'lock in the evening. I spoke
to Miss Wells at Monday. Uh Stan Quay
spoke to him. She said she was going to
be at the meet. She was going to be at
the interview and at 11 a.m. in the
morning of July 10th, she withdrew her
name.
>> July 14th, she rescended that
withdrawal.
>> Hold on a second. Hold on. Just so the
record's clear. In between there before
the second inter I'm sorry the only
interview before the interview was
scheduled in July I spoke to the chair
at that point they were moving forward
with the second round of interviews.
Miss Wales was not part of that. I said
I understand she didn't interview the
first time. There was some confusion
over who canceled what. I didn't know
but I'm having a conversation with him.
I said, "Given the fact she's worked for
you for almost a year and done a good
job and is a current employee, why don't
you give her the courtesy of just
forwarding her to the second round? I
requested that was not a demand." Mr.
Wales said, "I'll talk to the
commissioners." He did not say, "Okay."
Next thing I knew, she was getting
interviewed.
>> Okay. I was like, "Well, cool. I'm happy
because she's already there. You guys
are going to take a look. I'm good.
I'm not going to talk about my personal
conversations with certain folks, but I
know she had an interview scheduled.
Obviously, she had some second thoughts
about it. I know there's a resident
appreciation day on a Saturday. I heard
some conversation about, okay, I got to
get ready for this event, so I'm not
available the night before to interview.
Okay. This sound normal.
Okay. And then Saturday came and the
appreciation day happened. You guys
interviewed the other people. She didn't
get interviewed on Friday because she
withdrew.
>> She withdrew.
>> That's is that basically what everybody
Okay.
>> Yes. She withdrew from
>> and then the next week I received an
email saying she would like to be cons
still considered for the position. Then
I I received a response from the chair
saying you're no longer in consideration
and we're moving forward. So are we all
on the same page?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So that's where we at. Okay.
>> Young lady, the young lady in the gray
has been wanting to interject to provide
clarity. One more question.
>> She wants to ask Miss Wells one more
question.
>> Just just one cuz I'm nosy.
>> Why did you withdraw?
>> Several reasons at the time. And
actually I wrote my speech about it so
that I don't forget anything. But I've
only shared just
a fog of what occurred during this
process. I also was bullied into sending
my resume by 5:00 p. him on a day that I
was not even aware there was an unknown
deadline. So, there was so many things
leading up to that decision. Resident
appreciation day is the one day a year
that since we say we're here for our
residents, we service our residents that
we all should be there. And I spoke to
the chairman because it was something
else going on with some somebody else.
And he said no, he had other
obligations. I spoke to Commissioner
Moore. I said, "Why would you guys pick
that date? can it be after since you do
interviews at 8:00 PM or another day?
And she said, "Oh, I'll talk to him, but
he's in California. I'll call him
later." So, it was no buy in from any
other commissioners but Commissioner
Miller and Commissioner Thomas who said,
"We will still make sure that we're
there." Then, in addition to that, there
was
>> So, let me let me cut through it.
>> Yes.
>> I can [clears throat] sleep.
I'm
>> at that age. I'm just
>> trying to go with you here. So, you
resigned basically because you were
upset.
>> No, that that's the thing. I've been
hearing that narrative of being in my
feelings. No, it was just with all that
we have been doing, all the good, all
the progress that has been coming and to
still be ridiculed. If you sit in our
board meetings, they've never treated
any ED this way. I don't know if it's
retaliation. So, no. Let me let me
>> It's politics. So,
>> they ain't gonna like you. But let me
tell you, I I just I just I don't want
them to like my name,
>> Councilwoman. Uh for for me, just for
me. Okay.
>> So,
>> evidently you were competent and you
made a good candidate and you did a lot
of things and then later through some
process because I'm just saying this
like it was me. They got on my nerves so
I don't want it. So then you thought
about it. Is that is that when you
reconsidered and said, "Well, I I I I do
want to be that." Is that
>> what it was? Was the people that I'm
doing it for was the reason that I
humbly came back around and it takes a
big person for
>> for the people.
>> I can relate to that.
>> I let a lot of people down that believe
in me that are a part of feeling
inspired. So for the betterment.
>> I got you. I feel good. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Thank you.
Okay, that's fair.
>> She the young lady in the she's had her
hand raised for a while. Feel bad.
» State your name, Sula.
>> Shana Clark.
>> Okay.
>> Oh, Lord. Okay.
>> Oh, I know you.
>> Yes, I know you too.
>> Um, this is one of my first meetings um
I have ever uh came to. I am a Inkster
native. I was born and raised here. Love
Ingster. As some of you guys may know, I
do a lot of community stuff in Ingster
and outside of Inkingster. My son has a
lemonade stand. We sell lemonade. We
also give away gently used uh gym shoes
to the public.
I have known Miss Wells for a very long
time. I'm also a a very successful
businesswoman and also philanthropist.
So, I understand business. I understand
politics. I understand emotions and I
understand um what's really going on
here. I spoke at the all staff meeting
this Friday. I was asked to speak as one
of the keynote speakers. It was an
absolutely amazing meeting. I want to
give Miss Wells, outside of me knowing
her personally on a business standpoint
as a businesswoman, she's doing amazing.
She is doing absolutely amazing. And I'm
not sure where the disconnect is coming
in, but for me being from Inkster to see
somebody that is doing so many good
things, I'm not sure why it's such a big
problem on giving her a chance. I can
relate to being pushed out of places or
people kind of just picking on you. And
we're going to act human here. You know
how that feels when you're doing so many
good things, when you're trying and you
do have this person, that person, people
that are older than you, people that are
younger than you, so many people coming
at you. It does get discouraging. It
gets very discouraging. I just want to
I want to put in my hand clap for her.
For one, I I never even seen the
projects get redone, excuse me, Inkster
housing get redone. I I just now saw it.
I saw it all over Facebook and I'm like,
who doing this? And when me and her
actually talk, I've been doing her hair
for a long time. I didn't even know all
what she was doing. She doesn't come in
and brag on it or anything like that. I
really just found out about her role.
>> So to be from Inkingster and to see what
she's doing, she's not even from
Inkingster. So for somebody to come in
to care that meeting, she's very
professional. She keeps people in line.
She keeps people focused. She brings in
the right people. You need people like
that. You need people like that. You
need people like that. And I I really
hope that um I know it's like a whole
process, whatever you guys got to go
through, but from what I understood in
corporate America, although I'm an
entrepreneur. I've been in corporate
America for a long time. I have my
degree and everything.
Usually they hire internally. Usually
that's that's that's how it goes. Or
they are they're the first person to
consider. That's why she was That's why
she That's why they put her in a seat
cuz she was qualified to do so. So I I
really hope that you guys can come
together and consider somebody so great.
And this is not me talking on a person
living cuz I I'm a businesswoman. So I'm
You wrong, you wrong. You're terrible.
You're great. You're
great. I I don't I don't have I
understand feelings and I know how to
put them to the back when it comes to
business. But when you get somebody
great, you get somebody that can really
manage people, keep people in line, and
really get the job done, you really need
to appreciate those type of people, you
know, and someone that actually cares
about the community. So, I I really do
um I hope that this goes well for the
city of Instster as a whole. Um I hope
you guys see her value and everybody
anybody else that's contributing on a on
a great level, but she definitely does
deserve it. the city of Inkingster
deserves someone like that. And again,
that's outside of me knowing her. I am
not being like that because I I wouldn't
have came today cuz I'm that 100. I
wouldn't have came. I'm I don't I don't
got to I don't got to do that. I don't
have to I'm not going to lie to put, you
know, anybody to make them look good.
I'm I'm not I'm not like that. Anybody
can say that about me. Um but she is a
woman that deserves a chance. She is a
woman that deserves respect. Um I have
witnessed disrespect. you know, I' I've witnessed things go on with her
before and coming from, you know, why are they disrespecting her? Why are
they giving her a hard time? I think
that that needs to be considered and you
guys really need to look in inside the
staff and and the board and things like
that cuz it's a lot of disrespect going
on. It's a lot of things that's going on
that try to make it hard for a beautiful
smart
>> I already piece of
>> black woman that that is doing amazing
things in the city. That's all I wanted
to say. Yes.
>> I'm sorry. I thought we were
>> I'm sorry. I thought it was for um to
offer clarity to a specific conversation
that we were having that we were going
to use that for a public comment.
>> Oh, I didn't know. I told you this my
first one. Y'all could have stopped.
>> You're okay. You're okay. I just didn't
want to I just wanted to
>> Well, no, it was probably a comment that was probably needed, but I This is
my first one.
>> Okay. If you have more, feel free to
fill out um one of the public comments.
>> No, that's all I got to say. Just Just
hopefully y'all give her the respect
that she deserves.
>> Thank you. I do I do want to say
>> thank you two things. Um if you guys
have something to say fill out the
public comment sheet please. Two um I
don't know um
>> right over here.
>> I don't who
» Yes.
>> Um I'm not like well versed in HR or if
it's a legal issue. I don't know. But
once you resend um in that way can you I
guess go back on it like I I think
that's kind of like what's the So I'm
like give her the give her a chance to
interview and they're saying well she
withdrew so if there's a possibility for
her to not withdraw then I
>> it was never accepted or acknowledged.
>> Got it. Okay.
>> Well
n sort of I mean I've had experience
from an attorney standpoint with
resignations
>> being rescended.
>> I don't know about participating in an
interview process. has to be
reconsidered to be interviewed. You
can't ask for that.
>> I'm not You can ask for a million
dollars. I mean,
>> now, but that doesn't entitle you to be
back in the process.
>> So, so what I'm saying is that let me
sum it up from what my conversations
with some of the commissioners, not all
of the commissioners.
>> They there were commissioners who wanted
you to be interviewed. They wanted to
hear you at the interview.
when you decided to not interview, they
closed the book on it. They they said,
"Okay, if she does not want the job,
that's that's where they ended it." When
you asked four or five days later, and I
found out at the same moment that you
wanted to be considered,
the response was, "It's too late." That
that's what it was. It wasn't my
response because it's not for me to say,
but that's what they did. So, that's how
we're here now. I think you did a great
job as uh acting director. I'm not there
on a day-to-day b basis, but I see the
progress that Ingster housing's made,
but I'm just the mayor. The housing
commissioner's job is to hire and fire
the executive director. I haven't
bullied one of them. I haven't tried to
force their hand, but I I know all of
them, and I talked to some most of them,
probably all of them. Um, but it's their
decision at the end of the day.
Um, as far as people disrespecting folks
and not acting professional, obviously
I'm not there. Um, it happens every day
in life. We know that. Um, people check
me when I'm out of order, and I
appreciate that.
>> Um,
>> but as the city council, we can't really
do, we're not here to decide who's
disrespectful.
>> We're here because we want I respect you
and we wanted to listen. And Chisum
asked for the meeting. essentially. So
the board has not made a a final
decision yet. I think they decided you
are no longer going to be in the
process.
That's on them. If they want to do
anything with that, that's on them at
their next meeting. Um all we do is
appoint and remove. And the only way we
remove we thought the board was doing
something inappropriate.
Okay. Or doing something to hurt Instant
Commission. Um, so that's what our role
is as city council. Um,
so I'm glad we had this meeting. I don't
know if it makes anything better. We're
gonna definitely Did you fill out a form
already?
>> I want to hear you. Go ahead and fill
out the form. We want to hear from
everybody because it does matter. Look,
y'all know where my support was when we
started this process, but I can't I'm
not trying to step on the commission in
the process, right? I was public with
mine. I was the first one to come out,
right? I didn't know she wanted the
position. I didn't I didn't think I
didn't even ask her.
>> I just said I support her cuz I see the
progress. Um I maybe I'm probably
responsible for all this mess cuz it
seemed like there was there's a reaction
to that that was not positive. Um
but we're going to move down to the
status of Inster Housing. I almost
didn't even want to talk about it at
this point, you know.
But I'mma leave that up to the
commissioners if you want to tell us
where Instster housing's at. Um I'm
familiar with some of the things that
have happened, but maybe everybody
doesn't know about the situation with
HUD, us improving our situation, the two
major redevel development projects we
got going on. We have a lot going on in
the city of Vincent. Um so maybe
somebody want to briefly kind of just
let let the public know what's going on.
You don't have to. It was up to you
guys.
» Well, basically,
as you know, as Miss Wes did say, I'm
resident commissioner, but I'm not a
resident commissioner. I'm just a
commissioner that happens to be a
resident. And that is something that's
been told since we went to all the
conferences and
Yes, we've been progressing with the
redevelopment, but there's still some
hitches in the redevelopment for res.
There's a lot of things that's happening
with the developers. There's a lot of
things happening with their crew that's
on site. Um, a lot of things that hasn't
been really talked about that they need
to talk about and talk with the new
management company.
asked before I asked them to before the
meeting. They didn't want to have a
meeting of management company, you know,
but the residents really do need to
speak to the management company that
they're coming in. Um I know Miss Wells
did um talk to residents at that time.
They did have a meeting. She was texting
um asking information. But we need to
see these people that's giving us all
these we can't block the streets. Can't
get through. God can't get through.
up there two or three, you know, two or
three days.
>> I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
>> Just just for me and and since we in
this forum,
>> let's start with if we can start
instead of the the tough the the
minutiae that we're dealing with while
we moving forward. Let's just give the
bunch of people here, people that's
watching don't know what we've been
doing. We did that a lot.
>> Saying that part, but I still want them
there is still some things that need to
be be addressed. I mean, it's a good thing. I'm not saying it's
not a good thing. I've been watching.
I've been looking at the units. I've
asked to go through them and walk
through them, the new the ones that's
finished and the ones that they are
doing. I mean, I'm proud of what what's
going on, you know, but I still I mean,
and I'm I know the city's proud, too,
but I'm still not going to just not pay
attention to all the other things that's
going on, too. You know,
>> I walked on there was some problems
going on over there.
>> Yes.
>> But I I stay in my lane. So, I went to
the acting director and expressed myself
and I'm sure she communicated with the
with whoever.
>> Yes. With the particular,
>> you know, but I didn't want to, you
know, I I'm not going to call them
directly. That's not my that's not my
lane. But some of the stuff they were
doing was different from what they
promised
>> in in the initial meeting because I went
to initial meeting. I was disappointed
we weren't getting brand new housing,
but I understand that's the way the deal
worked out. I'm really disappointed that
they have so much power over this thing.
They have their own management company.
They're making decisions. They're firing
vendors,
but again, that's not my deal. You know
what I mean? Um because it's going to be
a problem. And right now, the moment
that we make a mistake, it's going to be
a problem. Eastern housing is going to
look a lot different. Um that's just I
can already see it coming, you know, but
um you know, like I said, you know,
there's stuff that has to be managed.
This is my logic was since we're already
there and the and the acting director is
managed it now. I'm not saying she's
perfect. I'm saying she's manager. Why
would we want to bring somebody new and
hope that they can handle
>> that? That was my decision.
>> Right. Right. Right. [applause]
» Sometimes, you know, I I knew her. The
other person could be excellent. She
could be 10 times whatever. I don't
know. I didn't sit on the interview. I
didn't look at her resume. I'm just
saying I know what what she's doing now.
That's how I was looking at. But that's
just my little two cents. Um, you know,
I think housing is going in the right
direction. Um, and and I one of the I
think the chair, somebody said to me,
>> one of the commissioners said it's a
group effort and I believe that
wholeheartedly. It's not one person, not
just Miss Wales. It's a group effort.
And I know that because I know how the
city runs. It's not about me. If my
staff is lousy, I'm lousy.
>> If my staff is great, I'm great.
That's the way it is. Um, so, mayor, if
I could, I just wanted to address that
the process right now that we're going
through with be it the third party
management company, the actual
developer, those were voted on by the
sitting board and the former ED. So the
team now we inherited it
>> and we are kicking up rocks and dust
challenging and giving them push back to
hold them accountable. Not everybody's
going to be able to do that.
>> They tried to even change the appliances
from what's been advertised as stainless
steel to black and tried to tell me they
already ordered.
>> Well, guess what?
>> Cheaper.
>> As Miss Clark said, I pushed back. We'll
cancel that order. They deserve
stainless steel. That's what's on the
resume. I mean on the website. That's
the pamphlets. That's what we need. So,
Commissioner Moore, you were a part of
it from the beginning. So, now we have
to work together and get around. As
Commissioner Miller said, we can't stay
in the complaints. Now, what are we
going to do? We're here now.
>> It was voted. We're here. We have to
learn and work together. We can't work
against each other. And I include you
all in those correspondences. And again,
I don't expect you to respond, but don't
act surprised when it doesn't work.
Because I include us in there because we
are one voice. We are. And I'm fighting.
And to answer your question again, it's
hard to fight the people that's in
California, not Gillette, but the
developer that's from California and
Montana and the others that they have
coming here and fight with the board
that's my key stakeholders. It's very
difficult. So, all of those go into it.
We say one thing, and I am talking to
you right now, and I'm not being
disrespectful, and I mean it because
you're really the only one that's
sharing much over here. You asked, "Was
I in my feelings?" I think you might be
because it's nothing that you can say as
a reason that makes sense for where you
live that you don't want a person that
will fight that will make things happen.
The whole team has on not trouble
shirts. They couldn't give you an answer
when you just ask what's going on at
Inster Housing. They can answer that.
We're not troubled. Our five scores
increased
dramatically.
We had the first ever 96% 97%
in Hood's Inspire Health and Safety, a A
from a D of the last ED that you guys
hired.
Why wouldn't I get a chance? It's
proven. The communication
has improved. The collaboration
has improved. The energy people want to
come to work. They beat me to work.
>> So, it's it's not making sense. And to
take a gamble to take a gamble.
>> I've said it before. You keep doing the
same thing, you'll get the same results.
But you know what? You what you just
said
>> was exactly what I wanted you to say at
the interview.
>> Exactly.
>> Because you have a case to be made to
have the job.
>> Exactly.
>> The only thing I'm mad about is the
interview didn't happen.
>> And I'm not blaming. I'm just saying the
interview didn't happen where you could
make your
>> They listening to you right now. I
>> So respectfully, mayor, I'll say this.
Me doing that, I am a god-fearing woman
and everything happens for a reason. And
I sincerely I'm not one that just prays
silently. I talk out loud. Okay? My aunt
is in the audience. She would tell you
my mother spoke to you all already,
right? And let you know. So I asked him
to guide my decisions. Be it if I
understand them or not.
>> I even spoke to you before I made the
decision.
>> That was a part of my decision.
>> Okay. Let's just be transparent.
>> Okay.
>> And what that I said make your case.
>> Sure did. Look, if you in the spot and
you have a resume,
>> you were upset.
>> Yeah,
>> I was mad.
>> Yeah, I know.
>> You don't quit.
>> I didn't.
>> You make your case and make them make
that tough decision.
>> They're going to have to tell me I'm not
the best candidate. If I know I've been
doing it for a year,
>> they got to tell me that
>> you don't bow out. It makes it too easy.
Because if this is personal in nature,
if some people don't like you for
whatever reason, whatever. Look, trust
me, I know all about that. [laughter]
You make it hard on them by doing your
job and then making sure everybody knows
what you're doing. If they want to
select somebody they don't know over you
with your resume or what you done in the
last year, then make them make that
decision.
>> Yeah.
>> But you do not bow out.
>> So bow. So where I was going to say with
things happen for a reason
>> that out of control of what we actually
do here in the physical
>> in that moment is when I realized how
much this team relies on me how much
this team respects me how much this team
cuz I've seen their resumes now on
Indeed cuz I'm on there right they're
looking we've already lost a couple
>> because that's what they're saying I
have residents even saying this don't
make no sense I finally get call backs
right so maybe in that moment that let
down had to be done in that way that it
was done to let those that I'm a voice
for realize I did not ask them to do any
of this. I'm very humbled about it and
appreciative when I walked in the office
and saw red eyes, right? And they even
said that's why would the commissioners
not see it,
>> right?
So again, and I think uh commissioners,
I'm sorry, uh Councilwoman Scott was
there to kind of see the stability.
Someone in the audience right now,
they're sick of having transition. I've
been there, you ask how long have I been
there? Since 2021,
that's going on five years and there has
been three EDs.
>> That's been our that's been our history.
I've been there since
>> we have to change it.
>> That's what I'm saying. If you look at
my resume, my last job I was there for
18 years. I know I look, you know,
young, but I was there for 18 years. So,
it's longevity. I'm also one of those
people when I interview, I look at
stability, longevity.
>> So, that is something.
>> Everything happens for a reason.
>> I just because of what you just said,
because of the people behind you. Look
at all them people behind you.
>> I feel it.
>> Should have been at that interview.
>> I feel it.
you'd have been at that interview. They
could have sat at that interview with
you.
>> It would be very difficult for them
like, "Nah, we going to ignore
everything she's done. We going to hire
Sally Smith
>> who we don't know."
>> I just wanted to share that
>> I did ask you that morning.
>> Why? Well, I asked you that it was
afternoon, but I asked you. Yeah, I
asked you. I said I said you No, ma'am.
in the office to Miss White
>> and I asked you I said come here for a
minute to your office and I asked you
why. I said why did you withdraw? And at
that point if you hadn't told me that
you changed your mind I would have went
to told the commission the commissioners
miss wells changed her mind. She needs
to take that interview tonight.
>> But when you approached me was that
after I had rescended already?
>> No you hadn't rescended. Well that that
was not after you had rescended.
>> No no rescended four days later mean?
That that was before she
>> she said the next day
>> that was [clears throat] that was that
same she the the text came in at 1:11
a.m.
>> Mhm.
>> When I we read everything when I went
over to the office she was they was
getting the things ready for the
appreciation. Miss White and her were in
Miss conference room. It was right
there. I asked her I said come here for
a minute into your office. She came in
office. I said why did you talk?
But I'm sorry. You had said that had you
known then you would have talked to me.
So this is after I already had done it.
>> No, but it didn't matter.
>> Yeah. I just wanted to be clear. That's
all.
>> She said you she got your email at one
morning. The next day she saw you on
Saturday.
>> No, this was the same day. It was 7:00
p.m. That's why I'm saying it it's not
adding up. It was 7:00 p.m. Me and Jame
were still packing up things for the big
event that was the next day. And she was
looking for assistance to set up the
laptop and just happened to be on our
side by the office. And she grabbed me
playfully like, "Come here. What's
wrong?"
>> No, I said that's what she did. I said,
"Why did you withdraw?" I said it point
blank. Why did you withdraw? Cuz if you
had have told me right then and there
that you changed your mind, I would have
told them because it wasn't quite six
yet.
>> She had changed her mind to the last.
>> Yes, I had. I had already sent the email
at 1 in the morning. She got
>> You talking about Friday before Saturday
or Saturday?
>> Friday. That same day.
>> She She texted her at one o'clock. She
saw her the same day. She asked her,
"Hey, why did you withdraw?" Instead of
saying in that moment, "Hey, actually I
was my feelings are her x y having the
conversation and saying actually I do
want to interview that day." She waited
4 days after and that's when she said
and that's what Miss Morris saying like
she why wait so long? We can't get
there.
>> I could have told them. Miss Wells
changed her mind
>> because I was in there early because I
went early to make sure that everything
was set up because that was why Mr.
Gillette was coming in and he m sure I
got there early and I asked her why did
you withdraw?
>> I asked that question and then 4 days
later she rescended it.
>> Did you fill out a form?
>> We about to get busy with the public
comments. Okay. Anybody have anything
else on the status? That's the last
thing on the Oh, no. No. Mr. Thomas. Mr.
Thomas.
>> Mr. Thomas
>> want to say something.
>> Good evening everybody. Um, actually I'm
offended by being here tonight.
>> Wow. Um, be honest with you. Um, I don't
know who the young lady was speaking on
that she's saying the commissioner is
disrespectful as well because we some
it's some of us on this commission as
some of her biggest supporters.
>> It's some of us who found out when she
pulled back custard out and told her to
come back to the commission. still at
this moment right now. The reason
there's not a ed in place right now
because there's been a push back from
commissions that we need to talk about
this before we make this decision.
>> Right. Good.
>> She have support. She's been a walking
resume. But in Easter housing
and I told everybody, get out your
feelings cuz it's not about y'all. It's
about the damn people.
>> There you go. There you go. [applause]
Everybody been around and seen how insta
housing was just five years ago. It was
the most embarrassing sight to see. We
winning now. We in the best position we
can possibly be. And that's because the
collaboration of everybody as a team
have made the sacrifice to make it
happen.
>> Members of our teams work overtime. At
one point, they would never do that.
>> Don't think that's not noticed. Don't
think that's not appreciated.
She's not out the race. Like I just told
everybody last week at the meeting,
she's not out the race. It's still
discussions about this situation.
Again, she's been walking resume. I
asked the question, what what number
would we give the agency? I believe I
got about a seven, eight where we
thought the agent agency was at. That's
a great number compared to where we was
at.
>> That's good.
>> I think everybody want to do the right
thing. Just get the emotions out the
way, y'all. Because I know for a fact me
as a black man can't no woman stand up
here and say I disrespect them and insta
commission nowhere else.
>> That's true.
>> And I think I serve more people in
probably most than everybody and money
come out of my pockets when it come to
serving these people in. And I'm here on
in commission because the condition is
and the way the people was being treated
in housing and the team have done a
great job. I don't think nobody can
question Miss Will integrity her
professionally and what she have done
with the culture of the agency. A
decision have to be made. It's gonna be the right decision
was best for the agency.
She was the number one prize for us.
And that's honest truth.
» So we got a decision have to be made and
we going to have to make the decision.
Yes.
» Um, I was going to wait till everybody
else spoke, but man called my name. So,
um,
man, this this a lot of this book of
words is
echoes, right?
I am proud as all get outs like that,
right? For for me from my first day
coming, the culture build was the most
important thing with regard to the
organization, right? You have to build a
culture that we could grow from, right?
Because Insta Housing has had a lot of
tumor. It's been a lot of in and out, up
and down, you know, for not just years,
decades. It's been it's been there's
been some great folks at the
>> Yeah, it's still to see where it is now.
is immensely impressive. It's a
testament to the work of many, many
folks. There's folks here who I know who
here now sitting out there with y'all
who was frowned up about the place,
right? They're like, "Man, I come to
work cuz I got to eat." Right? People
come here now because they want to build
something,
>> right? So, I'm I'm proud. I'm proud. Um
>> suited up police officer sitting over
there whose family, right, he came
through. He trumpet the you know sing
for the organization. I will say this
thing right here is heartbreaking for me
for us to be sitting on sideways or
opposite sides of the table talking
about what's going on for me. This
shouldn't have got nowhere near this.
Right.
>> Right. We family. We y'all got Look, we
can talk and work it out. At least I
would have I would have thought so.
Right. And I don't want to mistake the
decorum of me sitting here silent
because he call my name. talk, but it's
like I don't want to me sitting here
silent is the quorum. We got we got a
vice chair. We got a pecking order.
That's why y'all not hearing from me
speaking, right? I say that to say cuz I got to stop because I'll talk all day.
I say that to say that this could have
been done better. We set up what we
believe is the proper way to do things.
You set up We have a a a committee
that's doing this. That's why they
speaking. There's two people that built
we built a committee around it so they
can focus on it and bring things to us,
>> right? That's how this this thing works
so that they can concentrate and move
the things forward, right? Unless you
concentrate the work. Um
I'm I'm so heartbroken that we here with
this. Um
if I can reserve just because I want to
hear from y'all y'all my people. I
didn't y'all so many pulled me to the
side. So I I've had that. And I know I
have an idea what y'all going to say.
God bless y'all for saying what's on
your mind is in your hearts. If I can
reserve something, I'll speak at that.
I'm glad y'all here, man. Thank the
public.
>> All right. First one, Da Johnson.
[clears throat]
» Oh. Um, madam clerk, you want to
announce the rules for Good evening?
Hold on one second, please. Madam Cler,
you want to announce the rules for
public comment, please?
>> For the Inst City Council, that's
>> for um public comments for the Inkster
City Council. You get three minutes and
your three minutes starts once you
approach the podium. Once the um sound
go off,
that's when it ends.
>> Let me restart it because I did take
nine minutes from [clears throat]
>> seconds.
And just to uh state for the record
again, the Inkster City Council will
recognize the public comments that were
turned in for the Inkster City Council.
Any that were turned in for Instra
Housing, if we have them, we will ensure
that the Inster Housing Commission gets
them and then they will address those.
>> I did them over.
>> Oh, and you forward. Oh, so you're good
to go.
>> Good evening, y'all.
>> Good evening.
>> First of all, speak to the
>> I do apologize. My name is Da
[clears throat] Johnson. I am a resident
of Inkster housing. I live in Lemon
Gardens, too. Why y'all broke it up, I
don't know. Um, I've been there my whole
life. It's just been Lemon Garden. But I
can say this,
Insta Housing's turnover rate is
horrible.
You are HR.
I cannot personally say I don't like
you. I can say I hate your work ethics.
I do not like the work ethics of your
team.
Case in point,
you stated that you sent someone to my
home to do drywall.
Lie. You sent someone to my home to
paint over the mold in the bathroom.
I approve.
You have a landscaping company
that comes through supposed to do
landscaping. They have do it.
>> I have proof.
>> Secondly, do you remember the first
encounter we ever had?
>> First encounter we ever had. You ran up
to the maintenance yard speaking to a
cousin of mine. Didn't know it was my
cousin.
>> My daughter
>> like this was a dating service.
>> Excuse me, D. I'm sorry. you you have to
your I do apolog.
They were out partying. So, she ran over
telling my cousin she had a date for
him. That was the first impression. I
didn't even know who the lady was. I
asked him when she left. He said,
"That's HR.
Next time I see her, she's serving
drinks out of her car at our
appreciation. I don't appreciate that."
If they want to make her ED, that is
fine. If she has the qualifications,
just get the job done and follow through
and follow up. That's all I ask. I
managed for 18 plus years and this is
horrible. Thank you,
>> George T. Anderson.
» Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
>> Good evening,
>> everyone.
I'm George Terrell Anderson.
I've been with the housing commission
for
41 years.
I wonder if uh [applause]
I wonder if some of these names that I'm
about to read off some of you might
notice or recognize. How about Floyd
Simmons? Did some of you ever know Floyd
Simmons?
>> How about Dr. Terrell Hussein? Did y'all
know him?
Martial Armstrong,
Linda Bernard, Aaron Cooper, Glattis
Neil, Paul Bolinger, Linda Jones,
all former Inkster housing executives
executive directors. I knew all of them.
Commissioner, I remember you 41 years
ago. [laughter]
I voted for you 41 years ago.
>> Thank you. That's sweet.
>> So, uh,
in regards to the current
temporary executive director, Miss
Wells,
I think she's doing a wonderful job.
Y'all,
I saw I've seen everyone on this list,
and I can tell you some stories about
all of them, good and bad.
Some of them left in the questionable circumstances
and I I won't go any further than that.
Miss Wells, you're all right with me.
Don't Don't uh change course in the
middle of the stream. Thank you,
gentlemen.
>> Thank you.
ladies and gentlemen.
Pisha
>> Hajes.
Good evening.
>> Good evening.
>> My name is Kesha. I live at uh Twin
Towers
>> and
I've had a issue with a person. I I
don't even know her full name, but she
lives above me in my apartment.
>> Okay. But it seems as though the issue
is the disrespect
and it seems as though when you report
it to the manager, he's on her her side.
First of all, I uh she was a security
guard for maybe about six months and
another guy that lives there, but it's
just a point of
he's on their side. He claims he's not a
biased person.
Every time you see him, he's in the
guard's booth, not in his office. He has
them two laughing and giggling. You walk
past, she can say snark uh snide
comments, but then when he's not around,
if you comment back, she goes in on you.
So, I'm not going to let nobody call me
and hoes and ballheads and I
don't say anything back to her. But you
know what? I didn't even know we were
able to um put in complaints every 10
seconds, but she can make her complaint.
She throws rocks and then hides her
hand. When I first started, uh if I say
anything to this lady, if I say she'll
walk past him,
>> [clears throat]
>> ugly. And I'm like, grow up. I wasn't
talking to you at your bald head ass.
Rudy says he sees the camera, but you
cannot hear any voices on the camera. I
just want this the stuff to stop. It
makes no type of sense. He's not
addressing it. She's not even supposed
to be in the guard's booth. They have a
note on the door says no residents in
the guard booth. She's in that guard
booth. We just had an incident. So when
I see her in the guard booth again last
week, I got upset cuz Rudy is in the
guard's booth right with her and Evans.
So I didn't have my key fob. They have
this thing when they want to you to use
your key fob, use it. Sometimes they
just let me in the building without the
key fob. So this particular day, I work
for Mills on Wheels and I know I ain't
got that much time left, but it's just a
point of when I seen her, I got upset
and I don't know how many letters is in
my file right now because
the stuff is not being addressed. I just
came here for that. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
Rita Walker.
» [snorts]
>> Good evening.
>> I wrote down just so I don't forget
anything. Um, while I'm not a resident
of Ingster, a lot of my family members
are and I do a lot of business in
Ingster and I just would like to express
my concern regarding what appears to be
um an unfair and inequitable hiring
process within the city of Ingster. uh
when an employee has served successfully
in an intrim leadership role for nearly
a year demonstrating their ability,
commitment and qualifications to perform
the duties of that position. It's
troubling to see that individual be
overlooked for the permanent role. Um
personally, I feel like you should hire
from within. Sometimes you don't even I
don't know you guys policy, but I work
in HR as well. And sometimes you don't
even have to open the position
externally. If you know you have a great
person internally doing that job, you
snag that person up before somebody else
grabs them from underneath you. Um the
sh the city should be committed to fair,
transparent, and consistent hiring
practices that recognize experience,
performance, and demonstrated
leadership. Employees who have already
proven themselves while doing the work
deserves genuine consideration and a
fair opportunity for advancement. I
respectfully ask the city council and
city leadership to examine the hiring
and selection process and ensure that
qualified internal candidates are being
evaluated fairly and without favoritism
or bias. The employees of Ingster and
the residents they serve deserve nothing
less. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
» Miss Sheena Wells.
Shana Clark.
» Um
to basically
conclude what I said earlier about
internally when you have someone that
has proven themselves
um over the years. I just want to know
why are we considering anything outside
of her. So I just want to leave that
question with you guys and that's all I
have to say.
[applause]
» Just so y'all know for the city since
we're a governmental entity we have to
post positions. Um so we have an opening
we have to post it and interview. We
can't just hire without posting and
giving people opportunity to apply for
the job.
Kenneth Scott.
» Finally. [laughter]
» Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
>> Good evening.
>> My name is Kim Scott and I am a
maintenance technician
for Easter and also the union steward
for AFME 290.
And I'm here to let you know that the
members of 290 endorse Miss Wales to be
the EDS. Give her interview. Give her a
chance. You know, you know, we know what
she says. Now, like you say, we have
some residents here. We It's hard to
make everybody happy. You know,
sometimes you're going to have that
problem. But believe you me, if there's
any residents that's going to be mad,
it's probably because they got bad
housekeeping. That's no offense to any resident in the world. they ain't
paying their bills, they tearing up the
residents or they they part of the
criminal elements, they gonna have a problem, Miss Miss V.
Okay. So, as a as a Navy veteran, if you
got a person a woman in in place to
command the troops, let her do her job.
All right. [applause]
» Tangela Ward.
That ain't working.
» Good evening, everyone. Good evening,
council.
>> Good evening.
>> I have a couple of questions to ask. I
have been in the city all of my life.
Moved out a couple of times.
>> I have been over to the Simmons
buildings for one to get an office,
nothing. For two or three years,
nothing. Why isn't our envision center
open? Why is it being utilized? Why is
it so hard to use the Simmons building?
Why can't you get in there to use the
Simmons building? Now, we have all of
these people that's working for housing.
Where is the residence at? Because I'm
getting complaints from the residents.
I'm getting complaints from the
residents saying they're being pushed
out of their apartments. Um, I have one
resident that's scared to come. She's
struggling with her rent, but you said
on your website you had programs to help
people with the rent. That's not true. I
have a lot of residents that's not
getting any help with their rent. Again,
the building, the vision center is for
the community, right? Am I right? Is it
for the community? So, why is it being
used by the community?
I've been over there several times to
put in pro um to use the building
several times. I even offered to rent a
building with paying money over at the
Simmons building. Nothing. I had a
meeting with the ED and Cooper. Nothing.
Still, I'm still waiting. That's been
about what a year. Nothing.
>> Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I don't know
anything about this ED, so I can't
really say anything. But I think it's
very biased to have all of the staff
coming in for her support because the
staff needs a job, right?
>> So, they're not going to go against
their ED, right?
And another point I want to ask, how
many residents
do you have that work in Inkster
housing?
>> I know a lot of people that applied for
jobs
>> that was qualified. Nothing. Wasn't even
called back. I'm not pointing any
fingers at anybody, but it's about the
community again. We have a beautiful
stage over at the Simmons building that
is not being utilized. You can't utilize
it unless you know somebody that's
sitting in a commissioner or on a board
or something. I don't know how you get
in there because I've been trying for
almost five years now. And for the
council, the Inkster Wreck is for the
community. The Inkster Wreck is for the
community. No one should have a problem
with getting inside the Insta Wreck. I
live in a community. I don't want to
call anybody names out, but we are going
to have a problem if I hear of a next
person trying to put a program in the
Insta Wreck and it's not getting done.
Good programs.
Um, it was a basketball program. This
guy brought in at least 50 youth off the
street. He's not in there anymore. He's
not. He's can't he's a resident of
Ingster Hami. He's not in there. me. I
have a youth program, criminal violence
intervention.
My youth was in the wreck. You know
what? I had a bunch of grown-ups
talking about kids
talking about how bad they were, how
disrespectful they were. But guess how
many people came to me and said
something?
These are adults, not one.
And guess what? My program is struggling
on the streets with kids that's
homeless. Did y'all know we have
homeless kids in Inkster?
We have homeless people in Inkster. I
don't have anywhere for them to go. We
talk about gun violence. I went to Lance
and to advocate for CVI day. Nowhere for
the kids to go. I can stop it. I can
minimize it, but where are we going?
Where do you take them to?
Where do you take it to?
It's about the community. It's about the
community. It's too much bickering.
meeting was not even spoke to happen.
What is it for? A bunch of nonsense. If
they were going to hire, she should have
been hired. It's no need to come here
and do all of this. It's a waste of
time.
>> It's like she's bullying herself to be
ED. If you want her, you won't. Now, let
me tell you, I'm a manager.
And if someone I don't I
never heard of anything that you can
schedule a interview because if I say
that I need for you to interview on
Tuesday at 2 o'clock. If you not there
then you don't want the job.
Period. Point blank. You don't want the
job. When I when I was uh hired for
salary I did not have an opportunity to
tell them when I wanted to come in. And
I'm not shooting these shots at her
because I don't even know her. But I'm
just talking about business.
>> Okay. Thank you. Have a good day. All
right.
>> Taylor Lewis.
» Hello everyone. I am Taylor Lewis. I am
the director of finance at IHC. I'm not
going to give my backstory about how I
came in. However, I'm going to start
from September. September 2025. We had a
transition. It wasn't just because
someone decided to resign. Mrs. as well
as got volunttoled to be in the position
and whatever form for formalities they
had with the resolution, it happened.
And so my issue was she was doing such a
great job. I even reached out to the
mayor myself as well as the chairman and
the vice chair to say, "Hey, cuz I knew
that the process was happen to happen to
support. Why would we even reach out to
a third party that's going to take a
percentage of whomever salary that they
recruit when you have the person that's
already right there? And why would you
even allow him to be her recruiter when
she's already in house with you? He did
not recruit her. She's already there.
So, why would she go through that type
of process? Okay, they say that's the
formality of it. It didn't happen with
the prior ED that same formality. Um,
fast forward, I sent them all an email.
The only person that responded to my
email out of I guess we just gonna say
just because because you don't have to
be professional in a volunteer position,
right?
>> Um was the mayor.
February rolled around. Miss Moore
always comes to the finance office and
I'm going I have to say Miss Moore
because Miss Moore is the only
commissioner that we see all the time.
She will always come in speak to us all.
It really just drastically changed. And
for everybody saying well she had to she
had opportunity. She had opportunity.
the opportunity and the support dwindles
down when you could tell that there's
pressure or some type of issue. We all
know that we're all human. Um, when the
situation occurred with the prior ED,
Miller reached out to make sure we was
okay, but that was it. And that's that's
just not how that's supposed to work.
Fast forward, they would say, "Oh, she
had the opportunity. She had she had the
opportunity." But talk about all the
disrespect in between. We're not going
to sit around and act like things do not
bother you on a mental level. And when
uh they're talking about the things that
we need to fight for and all of that,
Mrs. Wells and myself that got thrown
into this at the last ninth hour, the
only reason that we still have employees
that's working for the um management
company is because it's Mrs. because of
Mrs. Wells. We went to bat for those
employees to make sure that they stayed
there. And I know because I was line by
line with her right along with Mill, our
attorney, to make sure we're able to
keep our staff. So, it's not a it's not
just about doing what's best for just
the agency and the resident. She try to
do what's what's best for the employees
and the residents as well. So, it's kind
of just like a odd thing of like
the ladies on the board act like they
don't understand why we here or it's
because it's the support is not really
there. How do you govern a board a board
that you only show up to once a month or
you're in California majority of the
time? While I understand it's a
volunteer position, how could you really
manage what's going on and you're never
here? The people that are here are here.
If you would have asked any one of us
what's going on in the agency, we could
have answered you. We could have gave
you a long positive answer beyond, well,
this is what's going on negative with
the uh management company and all those
things. Well, of course, there's
negativity going on because when the
decision was placed in front of the
stakeholders that make the decision,
they didn't think this far ahead that we
will get to a place that is positive,
that's less um turnover, that's more
staff retention, more people that want
to be in the place. And those are not
the people that created that advocacy. I
love Commissioner Thomas. I love
Commissioner Miller. I love Commissioner
Strowman. I had a different kind of
respect and love for Commissioner Moore.
But she showed that it became more
personal than it was anything else. And
she showed that across the board.
The thing is, it's not just about, oh,
she had a missed opportunity and she
just threw to Thailand. We beat her over
the head about why would you re, you
know, rescend your um I mean withdraw
your offer to be the ED. I understood
why because I worked side by side with
her and so she got back in. And I just
think as a courtesy you would want to
say, "Well, we received your withdrawal
and that's it." But if I don't know if
you received it, opened it, responded to
it, why wouldn't I go in and try to
resend my withdrawal if nobody responded
to it? I know everybody that's up there
on the council if you send them an email
while maybe they don't respond but you
would expect them to this the respect is
not the same.
>> Thank you.
>> Appreciate
Van Hall.
» Good afternoon council.
>> Good afternoon commissioners. As you
guys know, uh I I'm police officer. I'll
be 10 years next month and I will be uh
so I love this city live in this city.
Um been Inster Housing maybe two going
on three years with Inster Housing as a
police officer. Just want to talk about
a few things internally. I think you all
should go look internally of things. Um
like right now you got Miss Wells and
the team because I see this from the
outside. Um, we got an issue now where
the new company once again before she
got in, they're trying to change the the
pest control, but you a lot of people
don't see this. I remember I came to
city council meeting one time.
Everybody's about to fight about to
bring up fights because people playing
about the roaches all on news. We don't
want that again. The management company
now is trying to change that to they do
like two sprays a month or something.
So, we don't want that. It's letting you
guys know what's going on cuz a lot of
people don't mind I say that but it's
internal and you got people like Miss W
and everybody in this team that's
fighting for that internally and I see
it cuz I'm working side by side with
them. Um
like the process of hiring. I know Miss
Lewis mentioned it. Um like I said I
know some internal things as well. Not
going to mention that but there was no
process for that either. Just here you
go. We could have did the same thing.
Give her a try. Could the same thing? No
interviews. None of that stuff took
place. We did the same exact thing. Then
she didn't work. Didn't do the interview
process. Wasted money. I see what's
going I see it.
>> You mean with the last ED?
>> Yes.
>> I thought
>> Yeah. It was just It was just given.
Here you go. No, it was no interviews,
none of that. So, and she's doing a
great job from a D to a A and I see the
progress of it. I love it. I'm sitting
next to her house probably for a while.
They're trying to promote me, but I was
like, "No, I'm stay over there." So,
>> going back to the road.
>> No, no,
I need you. And just like now, thank you
for the fight for the commission as
well.
She, Miss Wells, and the team, Taylor,
of course, got to figure out the money.
We got a new housing officer that just
started. She made that company pay half
of the price, probably more. I don't
know how much to get another officer
over there because we know it's about to
happen. That wasn't a thought before all
this. She had to kind of bully them.
Hey, we need X, Y, and Z.
So things like that intern attorney, I
think you guys should come to these
board commission board meetings and ask
for numbers, ask for certain things
because even like the roast problem.
When I first started out, I was going to
people houses with a hood on
>> a hood or tell them to come outside. I'm
not going to catch nobody. Now I can
walk in.
>> Wait, you wouldn't chase the criminal
now?
>> No, I wouldn't, sir. We [laughter]
» um I say
>> chase somebody.
>> Internally, things I know about the last
situation, we could have did the same
thing. Once again, I say wasting money
because I know a lot of people don't
have money. Cities don't have money.
Government don't have fun. I hood. Why
waste money? Like that just didn't make
sense to me. And I'm a city of Inster
resident and I see how this stuff is
progressing. I know people talk horribly
about things. I like to ask that people
a question. For the last couple years,
where did you see it going now though?
We could talk bad about certain things,
but where was it at before?
>> Where where was it at?
>> So that's how I got.
>> Thank you.
>> [applause]
» Jania Clark, I could swear you already
spoke.
>> Maybe it's your mom.
>> Oh, you good?
» Jamlo White
all that crying. [laughter]
>> I wasn't gonna say that.
» Uh, no. I ain't gonna do that today.
[laughter]
Um, good evening. Um, my name is Jamila
White. Um, so I've been here since u
2022. I have been in six different
positions. Um, I believe that I have
been in these positions due to that. Um,
more than likely common sense, right?
You see something, you do something
about it. Seriously. Right.
um commenting on um a lot of people
don't know the things that happen on the
back end with housing. Um we always hear
the complaints as far as these the
people are homeless or they're getting
put out. They can't seek assistance or
anything like that. Right. We have Miss
Wells have put in place that we do call
out and reach out to these organizations
to make sure that they even have money.
But the thing about it is that past
leadership
and excuse my expression on it was
shitty very much so and I'mma speak on
that due to the fact that last year we
didn't know what was going on in the
back end when this new development
company was coming in pretty much I was
told in so many words that I wasn't
going to have no job just like that and
it was not nothing that was going to
save us at all anything you they going
to do whatever they want one by one of
y'all might be walking up out of here
come next year, which is actually this
year. So, Miss Wells did fight that um
back and forth everything and literally
stood on it so that we wouldn't have to
be on that face front with that. On top
of that, Insta Housing wouldn't even be
where they at right now if it was not we
inherited
a tremendous amount of debt from
residents who was able to stay in
housing by previous leaderships.
And I'm I can't say nobody name, but
I'mma say the highest I ever had to go
to court for was $40,000
in back rent. How? when this lady then
inherited this debt long way eons before
I even got here but it was my job to
clean it up. So for that negative impact
I don't think that we should you know I
mean of course people going to have
their personal feelings that's fine you
know or whatever whatever but got to
look at the impact of the positivity
that it has made the changes in
everybody's lives we have not just you
know made people homeless come to us
help we are here to help we do need that
support but as far as back then and
where we at right now
it is I'm very happy about it.
>> Thank you.
» Miss Sheena. Well,
» do I get six minutes like her?
>> Nope.
>> You already had like 20.
>> They told you I like.
>> Anyh who, I do want to thank you all for
giving me your Tuesday evening. I do.
Um,
I don't know what will come out of this,
but earlier you did ask the question,
Lindsay, so I will respond with what my
hope is. It doesn't mean it will happen.
But I do want to address something. You
know, number one, you you really find
out how they feel when they come up to
this mic. And that's good to know. Um,
because my mother always taught me when
you pointing a finger, it's three
pointing back at you. And we can point
that out. Um so anyway, for quite some
time I have carried the responsibility
of a very very important role um with
Instster Housing Commission way before
we had the transition from the last ED.
I was since day one the go-to person. Um
the reason why it's obvious to see the
shift in um a couple of the
commissioners is because I was once told
you have done amazing things here at
Inster Housing. You changed it around. I
know there was a comment not too long
ago that said that my work ethic is
not up to par.
I can outwork anybody in here. Let's
just know that, okay? Including you, Mr.
B, cuz I get on the flight in the
morning, okay? [laughter]
On my anniversary to better myself. But
anyways, um the actual we go with with
data and I know that Tangela left, but
she asked how many people are employees
that live in the city of Ingster and I
don't know if she heard me, but it's
about 30%. And I actually just hired
another Inkster resident that started
last week. So I do respond, you still
have to be qualified. You still have to
fit the culture because we work too
hard. So it's not just we're going to
hire your niece or your uncle. They
still have to fit the culture and get
it. As Ken said, I am a drill sergeant
because I believe in you. I got to be
able to believe in you. I respect you.
Respect me. And we came a long way. If
that man stands up and endorses me, that
shows that it's power and leadership.
I'm the wife of a Navy veteran. So, I do
believe in discipline. But nonetheless,
the responsibilities that I've had to
carry, I I definitely take it serious.
Um, and you know, I understand the the mission
the vision. I don't know what that was.
The vision. Um, and I know that we can
continue to make progress. As someone
said, I'm not perfect. Nobody is. I
don't even strive to be perfect. I
strive to be the best at what I do. I
strive to make sure that my name means
something. Um, and so with that being
said, I really do hope that the city of
Inster, the mayor, the city council
members understand that while you're not
over the Inster Housing Commission, we
are one. And it's very important. If the
news came in here right now, they're not
going to see Inster Housing. They're not
going to see city council. They're going
to see the city of Inster. And my pledge
is to continue to change that narrative.
As Taylor said earlier in September, we
could have took it in a different
direction. I intentionally did not.
There was not one press release that
went out because the city of Insta did
not need that bad eye, black eye, at
all. And I still stand on that. So, I
hate that we're here, too. I really do.
I think it's very unprofessional and
immature
even tonight. I don't want to have to go
back and forth with it, you know, but
here we are. So, Lindsay, my my ask is
there needs to be a change on the board
of commissioners. There's two of them at
least that needs to change. We're not
going to get anywhere. One of the former
EDs that hired me left and said, "Unless
that board changes, you're not going to
be able to really make real change."
And I've experienced it now firsthand.
Even the last, the governance needs to
be there. It's just oversight. That's
it. It's just oversight. But we have to
respect each other and work together.
And I'm committed to it. We don't need
to lie. The truth doesn't need any
colors. It is what it is. We both have
emails. I'm sure I've been doing HR a
long time. Probably got a little more.
But I don't want to take it there
because that's not what it's about. When
you ask why did I change again, it's for
the people that believe in me. And so I
just ask that you all believe in us and
understand if you keep doing the same
thing, you will get the same results.
And I thank you.
>> Thank you.
» City clerk.
>> No comment. Mayor,
>> city treasur is not here. What you
waiting on?
>> Some public comments.
» Gave it to me.
>> You going to read them?
Yeah,
I have no choice but to read.
>> Well, I tell you what. Well, I I'm here.
Let me fill out
» you.
I got something I was going to say.
>> I'm just trying to wait till the end
because I I get I want to make
» Oh, at the end.
>> This is from the security 1900 in the
road. It says to whom they concern. I am
writing this letter to express my full
support for Mrs. Wells to remain in her
current position as executive director.
Will her time in this position? Mrs.
Wells has demonstrated professionalism,
honesty, dedication, and a genuine
commitment to fulfilling the
responsibilities of her role. From what
I have personally witnessed, she has
carried herself professionally and has
worked hard to serve the residents and
the community to the best of her
ability. Leadership is not always an
easy responsibility. It requires someone
who is willing to listen, address
concerns, make difficult decisions, and
remain professional while doing so. I
believe Mrs. Wells has demonstrated
these qualities and deserves the
opportunity to continue the work she has
started. I believe that when someone's
performing their duties effectively,
honestly, and professionally that should
be recognized and supported. Excuse
[clears throat] me. Miss Wells has done
an excellent job thus far, and I have
confidence in her ability to continue
moving forward in a positive direction.
For these reasons, I strongly support
Miss Wells remaining in her seat and
continue to serve as executive director.
I believe maintaining consistency and
leadership is important, especially when
the leadership has shown dedication and
a commitment to doing the job properly.
Please accept this letter as my sincere
statement of support for Mrs. Wells and
her continued service as executive
today. Respectfully, Felicia Flair
>> Security.
The other one is also
to home may concern. I'm writing in
response to a complaint regarding an
incident at 12 Twin Towers. I don't know
if this is relevant.
>> I just still printed it because it was
sent to me for you.
>> Okay.
>> Public comments.
>> All right.
Well, I work security at the front
entrance of the apartment building.
complaint states that a resident was
inside the security booth and that that
resident are not permitted to be in that
area.
I would like to clarify the
circumstances because complaint as
presented does not accurately represent
what occurred. While I am a resident of
the building, I am also employed as
security and work at the front security
booth. On the day in question, the
security guard who was working
approached me and asked if I could
relieve him because he had an emergency
and needed to leave. I was speaking with
him and explaining that unfortunately I
could not relieve him because I was
dealing with a personal emergency of my
own. Therefore, the suggestion that I
was simply a resident improperly
occupying or hanging around inside the
security group is misleading. My
presence there was directly related to
my role as a security employee in a
conversation with another security guard
concerning coverage of the post. I take
my position and responsibility seriously
and I understand that residents who are
not authorized should not be inside the
security. However, I believe it is
important that before accusations are
made against me for full circumstances
are considered the facts that are
verified. I respectfully request that
this explanation be included with the
complaints and that the record
accurately reflects that I am not only a
resident of Twin Towers on 1900 Road but
an employee who works security at this
location. I am more than willing to
discuss this matter further and answer
any questions regarding what occurred.
>> That it
madame clerk.
>> No comments. Mayor
>> Shy Treasur is not here. Mayor and
council communications. Anybody have any
communications?
>> Communications?
>> Oh, I I do this time.
>> Go ahead. Go ahead.
>> All right. Good evening, everyone. So,
the reason for this meeting is because
the public and employees came to the
city council and the mayor. What they
saw at board meetings and throughout
overall was just a lack of couple of
items on the board and they wanted this
body to resolve it. However, there are
methods and procedures in place for us
to handle it accordingly. We don't want
to act prematurely and or set a
precedent that makes matters worse. So,
here we are tonight. A couple of things
to the board that I will just suggest
because of different little hiccups and
there's always room for improvement or
enhancement is a stud our study sessions
for Robert's rules of order. Uh it opens
meetings act. Um make sure that
everybody's on the same page when it
comes to professional courtesy.
centralize who the meeting notices go
through or are dispersed from. Um, and
then Zoom talked about earlier with the
personal meeting items. And then also a
couple of questions just to think about
is to relieve the tensions that are
there. We keep hearing them over and we know there's different
things going back and forth is what does
the board consider as a common courtesy
thing to do regarding the hiring of the
permanent ED?
And finally, the assistant um or I'm
sorry, the ED position. What is the
Russian hiring a permanent ED? What do
you envision if you pause on this
process? What do you envision if you
move forward? I ask these questions
because a few things can happen.
If the commission doesn't respond to the
will of the people, it can be hurtful.
If we were to replace the board or some
members, the new board may come in and
hire or fire an ED and put IHC in
entirely total different position or
direction than what we even desire or we
can think of. then it could be a trickle
down effect on not only the AED but the
employees and then the residents and
then we'll find ourselves back in a full
360 a year later as you all heard the
mayor and other um former elected
officials and current elected officials
talk about uh the amount of different
executive directors that we've been
through.
So I know everyone is here to serve and
the residents of to serve the residents
of Instster and Inster Housing. So that
is the action I believe that needs to be
acted upon and taken into major
considerations.
Feelings, titles, ranks and any level of
entitlement needs to be eliminated.
So there is absolute clarity and this
situation can move forward positive.
The mayor stressed out. He's already
lost all his hair
>> and therefore we need to make sure we
can do everything in our power to move
forward.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> May I say something? Mr. Mayor,
>> you need to say something.
>> Did you have comments?
>> Anybody down there?
>> Just one last thing. I guess um
I guess the the problem that I'm having
is that you have someone who was
qualified and um I understand what she
did uh when she made the mistake of
resigning or saying that she didn't want
the position.
Um, I think things can happen because
getting uh this this arena that we have
here, people can attack your character
and that makes you
um angry.
>> It does and you do crazy things. The
thing that she said that I liked was
that she
wanted to serve the people. And that's
what this is about. That's what we're
about. Even though we can't we have
limited we're limited in what we can do.
We're the middle person. So because you
get federal money, we don't need the
feds out here. We don't.
>> And and another thing is
that
Miss Moore said made a comment that she
liked it. Why did you do it? and she was
willing to resend or take your
resignation and just let you come back
and interview
if you had this discussion. So that
means and to me if you could say that
now I don't understand why you can't
just let her compete or interview for
the position. I think what we all want
to do is be on one accord. Easter
already gets enough negative press.
It's on the news again today and we need
to come together as one. We really do.
Um
but I I still want you to know that even
if they don't, you still follow your
heart.
Um I've been through a lot of things.
Said I would never sit back in this
seat. Never.
But there were people and that man
sitting up there in front with the
glasses and the bald head
>> that pushed me
back because he said, "People need you."
And we do. We need each other because we we
fall short sometime. But I'm hoping that
this could be worked out. And I think
that it could. I really do. So, I just
want us to kind of come together and
maybe you guys can talk with her and
come to an agreement, but um let's just
kind of settle it and because we don't
need anything else negative in housing.
We need housing. She's done a great job.
She she brought you to a higher score
and you you you said that she worked and
you're not going to get good people that work. you can hire some new people,
but you got somebody already
experienced.
So, um I feel that if you just work with
them and you have to put the feelings
aside and do whatever gift God gives you
to do and that's to help people and
that's what we're here for. So, I'm
hoping that we come to one to an
agreement and then we'll all be happy
people. That's what they say. So, um,
if you guys can just kind of get
together and talk it out and if she's
the best one for the
position,
you reconsider and let her do her gift
because it is a gift for all of us to
work with people and we're trying to
keep people in Ingster because in a
couple years we gonna have a census and
there's our money again. So we need to
work on one accord to make Inkster a
better place and and the personal
things. Yeah, we get mad. I get I was
mad, but
sometimes you just have to overlook that
and do your gift. So that's all I had to
say.
[applause]
» Okay, go ahead.
>> I'll be quick. I just want to say one of
the hardest commitments and uh things
that's even harder to do is to change
the culture in anything. And I believe
sitting here all the things people have
had to say about you. Your scores is up.
People want to come to work. People are
excited to be there. They work extra
work overtime. That all is about
changing the culture and you should be
commended for that. Right.
And [applause] like commissioner said, I
believe it's time for the people just
put their feelings aside and just do
what's best for the agency and most
importantly the residents. And that's all I say. [applause]
» Um I just want to ditto what my
counterpart said and the board. You all
do have the authority to be able to give
her an opportunity to at least have an interview. Um, also I want to say
that for a person, a leader to have your
staff behind you like this, people don't
leave jobs because of the salary,
because of the pay, even if they're
getting wonderful pay, they leave jobs
because of bad leadership.
>> And so therefore, if you have somebody
who has this type of leadership, y'all,
I mean, this is phenomenal to me. I I
have I've been in HR. I have not seen
this in years. Um, so this is like
refreshing, honestly. And I think you
all need to take a look at that really hard. I know the residents had
some um some things that they had to
say. Give a person the opportunity to at
least fix the problems um and at least
come in and be able to do that. So those
[applause]
» I'm gonna wrap this up for at least for
the council. Um I hire and fire people
all the time. When I look at our
organization, our small city, I have to
take in consideration not only who's
best for the job, who's going to stay.
Um because we are a small city, we don't
pay like city Detroit, Grand Rapids,
Lancing. So, you got to find that right
fit. Who's going who cares about our
community? Who's committed to the people
who are here? Who's likely to stay? And
that's how I approach that's one of the
things I take into consideration. We
need stability in Instster housing. the
last five or six directors, they all
been hired from outside except for one.
Um, and I think that was the last
director who got it. She was the deputy.
I think everybody else, we went out and
I wasn't I mean, I wasn't part of it,
but I was here at the time and they
didn't stay a long time. That's all I'm
going to say. We all were here. Miss M
been here from day one. Um, they just
didn't stay a long time. So, that's why
I get nervous when we're talking about
outside people. Um because they usually
use us as a stepping stone and I think a
few of them have and good for them. I'm
not mad at them. But we have to be
discerning when we choose people who
cares about us and if something is
working, let's build on that and make
Instster housing better. And I'm not
telling you what to do. I just hope the
commission goes quickly and makes some
sort of decision so we can move this
organization forward because I think
everybody's in limbo now. I mean, I'm
looking at half the staff tonight. So,
and I've heard enough from them, which
like someone else said, this is amazing.
I've never I've never fired or not hired
somebody and had 15 people from
organizations say, "Hey, you we should
keep that." I've never I've never
experienced that before because I'm not
firing anybody who's good. But, you
know, or not hiring someone, somebody's
great, I want to hire them. But, it is
something to say for your people who
work under you to have confidence in.
And that kind of means something to me
even though it's not my decision. But I
trust the commission is going to do what
they got to do um and do what's best for
Insta Housing. I mean, that's why
they're there. I mean, they're not
getting paid for this. This is a
volunteer position. They're here because
they care about Insta Housing, Instster
residents. So, I trust that they're
going to do make a good decision. So, I
just hope that comes soon um so we can
move forward. Any of the commission any
commissioners like to speak?
I think we'll we'll definitely
» Did you just [laughter]
Okay. All right. So, just for everybody
um because I I' I've heard a lot and I
appreciate a lot of the point of
views. I truly um
like I say I've been here for a while
and everybody don't know the roles I
didn't stuff but since I've been there
and I mentioned it earlier culture build
has been like the number one thing for
me because that's the thing that'll lift
you through most things and
with regard to why we are even in this
position and I've told the I've told the
director this and I told her I'm always
going to try and find the best person
possible for the community that I live
in. Right. I'm not about to isolate.
Like I've seen the history of Instster
housing and want, you know, and I want
to make sure that we get because we
deserve the best that we can get. We do
a lot out here, right? So I want to make
sure that when I go when we go out, we
go out and try to find the most talented
people available for where we are trying
to go. Not so much where we are, but
where we're trying to move forward,
right?
And just open because y'all my family,
right? We most almost everybody. Yeah, I
can't think of a person
talking about what we doing as far as
vision. The reason why I'm so hurt by
this, right? Because it's like, okay,
well, y'all should just give her the
interview, right? The problem is that we here now. See, like before it had
been something. So now I'm saddened
because instead of her being able to
stand on pure merit and the strength of
her character and her works, there's a
pressure campaign up front.
>> That's asking us to do something, right?
That is a very large problem for us with
regard to president and issues going on
in the future,
>> right? That's a problem. If we can if if folks can come to us and say, "Hey,
y'all need to give it to her in mass and
y'all going to do it." That puts us in a
very bad spot with regard to future
government
legalities future and and and there's a there's a looming threat with
regard to all of this. And I love y'all.
That's why I try to keep from breaking
apart because this is a threat from an
organization that I love and tried to
help build and woke up and sleepless
nights with regard to trying to build to
like I my complaints go up. I can't tell
y'all my complaints, right? Complaints
go up, right? So
I I can't go that way with it. But now
we here with people who I care about,
you know, looking down on me, telling me
what I got to do, what my colleagues
have to do with regard to our
organization I'm in love with.
And I can't we can't go back, you know,
cuz we here now. I'm so sorry, y'all.
So now I got to make this decision with
my with my people bearing down on me who
as as far as everything is concerned. I
know we do things for residents. It's
always been y'all my first customers. I
want to make sure y'all families are
doing well. Cuz if that's happening,
y'all going to do well for our people.
Y'all my first customers, y'all
livelihoods, y'all happiness, y'all
strength, y'all peace of mind. That's
what I'm here for. To find great people
who want to do great things in the town
that I love.
and and now I got to come with a
decision like this for you know and I
just want y'all to understand the weight
of this right because this this it's a
whole different situation that we in now
and
you know
so I'm going to do the best I can
for my community. This is too good of an
opportunity we didn't built and put
oursel in to do great things for not
only us, y'all families growth. We in a
position now where we can grow big
enough where all y'all got director low
jobs, subj jobs, everybody. I Jala Love,
she is amazing, right? My job is to make
sure the organization grows so that you
a director over on that side of town. We
director, she over there, a man of
director over there. They running
finance for three organizations. It's a
bigger thought process. is not we big
enough. We strong enough. I'm telling
you, we're the fourth largest housing authority in the region. It's
Flint, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and
Instra, Michigan.
» We got too good of an opportunity to be
bigger than we are. And for us to be
here, sid track users. So,
God bless y'all. It's It's going to be
hard now. I love y'all so much. Sorry.
Any
other question?
>> In fact, I'm just gonna close it out.
>> It's very It's a very difficult uh
position you got us all in. Very
difficult.
We've never had a problem with Miss
Well,
but in her feeling, she felt we had a
problem.
Now, I don't think like you younger
people think. So, I'm like, what's going
on?
And here we are.
But I hate being threatened.
And that's where I had to draw the line.
You don't threaten me and tell me I
better hire somebody. And that's where
I'm at. So, I'm done. Any
other commissioners like to speak?
>> I'd like to say something. Um, through
this whole process of of gathering the
information from third party, everybody
knew that that was coming. Um, we want
to say that I stopped coming in. I was
actually acting as vice chair. I cannot
I was doing they didn't understand. They
kept saying I'm in my feelings. I'm not
in my feelings, but I have to do with
the vice chair. He's giving me
information from where he's at and I
have to follow that information that
he's given. You
>> talking about the chair?
>> Yes. You know, and it's like it was
never I was never in my feelings about
anything. And that's the problem that I
have. I've I've always been
racist. I've never been disrespectful to
anybody that works in Inka House. They
cannot say that I've been disrespectful
to them. They cannot say I've been mean
to them. Yeah. I stopped coming in for a
while because I did tell um Mayor Pro
Tim Chisum that um you guys didn't give
me the respect that I deserved as me
being vice chair. You did not. And
that's the truth. But I never I mean it
wasn't about feelings because I knew I
was here to do a job for the community
for my residents. And that's where
Commissioner Miller said that you guys are a part of me. But y'all,
second, residents are my my main
concern. Always. They're going to always
be my main concern. Always. It has
nothing to do it has a lot to do with
one because I live there and I see a lot
of stuff. I don't I don't get that
information out sometimes. But I'm there
for the resident, point blank. And I and
I'm there for you guys. I' If any of
y'all ever ask me to do anything, I have
always done it. I've never questioned
it. So for you to say I was in my
feelings and I was being disrespectful.
If you thought I was being
disrespectful, you should have told me
because I'mma tell you guys, you know,
point blank.
That's it.
>> Mr. Thomas.
>> I say something
out of time. [laughter]
>> Oh, good evening. I just
>> I got to go out of town.
>> Stressing me out. Um, I'll just say this
to everybody. Um,
I believe everybody had the best
interest of the agency and we got to
make the best decision for the agency at
the end of the day.
I think we had to talk and I discuss
everybody get everything out the
feelings out the way. It's what's in the
best interest of the agency. Um,
brother because y'all not able to be
inside
the closed meetings. Y'all don't know
the support that she have.
Y'all don't know the direction we've
been trying to push it to make things
right.
The decision have not been hasty because
if it was hasty, it would have been
another ED already. Trust me,
it's been great push back to give her
the opportunity because she have been a
walking Miss Wales has been a walking
resume for us and she have done a great
job.
>> Amen.
>> And you can't take that away from her.
Yes. Some people may say, well, she
don't have a lot of experience. Well,
I've seen a lot of people come in
situations, have all the experience in
the world and fumble the ball.
You seen people come in different
cultures because if you don't know Insta
culture, you going to fumble the ball.
>> Period.
>> I don't care who you is.
>> You have all the education experience in
the world.
So you know we got a decision to make
and I believe the decision gonna be in
the best interest of the residents and
the agents because we all know what's
the plans and what we've been working on
for the last three years. The challenges
we have had with other EDS people
leaving and you know you always have to
question this when somebody want to work
in any agency. Why you leaving the
previous agency?
>> That's the one thing I always question I
always question. Why you leaving that
agency if you that great? Cuz you ain't
getting a lot of money here. Come to you
ain't getting a lot of money. Hood ain't
sitting down a lot of money to do this
work. It's not coming.
>> So people who do this work and stay with
Inkston through our difficult times have
been people who genuinely love the
community, love the work we doing. And
you know at the end of the day, the best
decision going to be made
because as if you know me, you know I
don't mind cussing people out.
cuz I'm unapologetic a black man and I
don't bow to nobody and if people wrong
they be told about they
mean everybody in this room I will tell
you about yourself
and that go to every commissioner we
going to make the best decision for at
the end of the day
thank y'all very much for everybody
thank the city councly
move to second discussion All those in
favor say I. I.
>> Both say nay.
>> Mean 8:45
took ad.
» [music]