HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 11-2023 Board of Water and Light Minutes
Approved by the Board of Commissioners May 23, 2023
LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 11, 2023
The Board of Commissioners met at the BWL Headquarters-REO Town Depot located at 1201 S.
Washington Ave., Lansing, MI, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Chairperson Semone James called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
The Corporate Secretary called the roll.
Present: Commissioners Semone James, Beth Graham, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, David
Price, Tracy Thomas, and Sandra Zerkle. Non-Voting Commissioners present: Larry Merrill
(Delta Township), and Maggie Sanders (Lansing Township).
Absent: Commissioner Tony Mullen, and Non-Voting Commissioner Douglas Jester (East
Lansing),
The Corporate Secretary declared a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
MEETING PURPOSE:
Chairperson James stated that the purpose of this Special Board meeting is to discuss an
attorney-client communication/memorandum provided from the BWL General Counsel and
discussion of such content is most appropriate in closed session. Discussion concerning this
communication/memorandum is permitted to occur in closed session as allowed by the Open
Meetings Act, specifically MCL 15.268 (h).
Motion by Commissioner Sandra Zerkle, Seconded by Commissioner Tracy Thomas, to go into
closed session for the purpose of reviewing the contents of the attorney-client
communication/memorandum as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268(h).
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Semone James, Beth Graham, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, David Price,
Tracy Thomas, and Sandra Zerkle.
Nays: None.
Action: Motion Carried.
Special Board Mtg.
April 11, 2023
Page 2 of 3
Chairperson Semone James declared a quorum to go into Closed Session, welcomed Non-
Voting Commissioners to join the Closed Session, and asked General Counsel Mark Matus,
Executive Director of Human Resources Michael Flowers, Lansing City Attorney Jim Smiertka,
and Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence to join the Closed Session.
The Special Board Meeting went into closed session at 4:03 p.m.
Motion by Commissioner David Price, Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Zerkle, to return to
open session.
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Semone James, Beth Graham, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, David Price,
Tracy Thomas, and Sandra Zerkle.
Nays: None.
Action: Motion Carried.
The Special Board Meeting reconvened to open session at 4:50 p.m.
Motion by Commissioner David Price, Seconded by Commissioner Tracy Thomas to amend the
agenda to include the Resolution 2023-00-00 for authorization of Management to negotiate
and execute a Severance Agreement and Release of Claims by resignation, with Internal Auditor
Frank Macciocca.
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Semone James, Beth Graham, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, David Price,
Tracy Thomas, and Sandra Zerkle.
Nays: None.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION #2023-04-01
Authorization of Management to Negotiate and Execute
Severance Agreement and Release of Claims
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners convened for a Special Board meeting on April 11,
2023, to consider written legal advice from BWL General Counsel and outside counsel regarding
a personnel matter in closed session;
RESOLVED, that being fully apprised in the premises, Management is hereby authorized to
negotiate and execute a Severance Agreement and Release of Claims, by resignation, with
Internal Auditor Frank Macciocca.
Motion by Commissioner David Price, Seconded by Commissioner Dusty Horwitt, to approve
the Resolution for Authorization of Management to Negotiate and Execute a Severance
Agreement and Release of Claims at a Special Board meeting held on April 11, 2023.
Action: Motion Carried.
Special Board Mtg.
April 11, 2023
Page 3 of 3
COMMISSIONERS’ REMARKS/COMMENTS
There were no Commissioner remarks.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
EXCUSED ABSENCE
Motion by Commissioner Beth Graham, Seconded by Commissioner Dusty Horwitt, to excuse
Commissioners Tony Mullen and Douglas Jester from tonight’s meeting.
Action: Motion Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson James adjourned the meeting at 4:56 p.m.
Preliminary Minutes filed (electronically) with the Lansing City Clerk 04-14-23
Approved by the Board of Commissioners: 05-23-23
Official Minutes filed (electronically) with the Lansing City Clerk 05-31-23