DRCFA is the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, located at . It was formed when the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act. No. 63 of 2009, granting it operational control and the mission to improve and expand the facility. huntingtonplacedetroit.com

DRCFA is comprised of 5 board members appointed by the Governor of Michigan, the Mayor of Detroit, and the county executives of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

The Authority completed a major capital improvement project in 2017. On Dec. 29, 2022 Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bills 1222 and 1223 to allow for additional bond issuances and capital expenditures so the convention facility may be further expanded

Good background coverage for Huntington Place development can be found via @aaronmondry and @outlier_media here outliermedia.org/huntington-pla…

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media The DRCFA website states "The public is welcome to attend. For a webinar link to the upcoming meeting call Brian VanBuhler at 313-877- 8277" BUT ➡️ "Online access is a convenience for observers. Public comments are reserved to the public place and cannot be received online" ‼️

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media The agenda for tomorrow's DRCFA meeting is available here …ngtonplace.production.carbonhouse.com/assets/doc/DRC…

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media At Huntington Place waiting for meeting to start

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Spacious meeting room with food and beverages

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Looks like reasonable turnout for public, already 16 and discussing getting more chairs

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Called to order at 8:50 AM, then pledge; approved agenda, minutes

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Discussion presented by Schroeder on efficiency agreement with unions…this historically has been an issue and looking to amend or terminate the agreement to avoid conflict and interruptions

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Mike Jackson Jr of carpenters union speaks on issue at hand…describing what they do and work at Huntington Place…says current facilities manager is doing poor job and trades now expect a bad work experience at Huntington Place

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Points to Karen Totaro as manipulating terminology in agreements and changing work jurisdiction awards in manner beneficial to ASM Global while targeting union trade leaders and calling them unreasonable

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Wiley asks if questions can be asked—Schroder notes what’s discussed is efficiency agreement NOT a collective bargaining agreement

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media The efficiency agreement has expired but still active; by end of this year language states it must be renewed or renegotiated

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media It is emphasized that current resolution process is not working and hope is board will rework the agreement to address the issues noted

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Lane suggests board work to establish big picture of what language should be included to create strong agreement

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Molinari gives overview of what management process should be—management makes decision and if issues arise then arbitration occurs as per work agreement; Lane says it appears the agreement is lacking to allow for this

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Totare notes carpenters have their own CBA and contractors are not party to the CBA; she says she is open to change, noting language of agreement is old

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Lane expresses frustrations about how long this has been issue—it should have been addressed 9 months previous when it emerged

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Jackson emphasizes carpenter union’s primary goal is to to continue working with Huntington Place but has to speak up about how every dispute about work awards have gone against them

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Motion made and passed to establish committee to work award disputes—Preuss and Abood will be on resolution committee

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media They motion to go into closed session to discuss item 6 on the agenda

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Waiting for closed session to end…we *ahem* lack certain amenities…like chairs 😕

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Although I note the security guard offers to get us chairs…two snaps up for hospitality! 👍

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media So….while waiting for public meeting to resume, here is info on labor-management relations at Huntington Place huntingtonplacedetroit.com/blog/detail/20…

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media And there is this…a bit of an expanded version of the above article tsnn.com/news/huntingto…

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media More fun facts while waiting for meeting to resume…ASM Global is the firm with contract to run Huntington Place…they are huge… asmglobal.com

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Okay, they went into closed session at 9:33 and are now reconvening 🕺🏼

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Restart at 10:20, item 7, approval to expand site plan—approved

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Item 8, resolution to approve lease agreement parking spaces with amendments—approved

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media It is noted they should show slides of approved item 7 site plan…here it is

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Item 9 on Scala Licenses purchases—software for operating digital boards in facility—brief discussion of RFP process and passed

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Item 10, discussion of Employee Benefit Insurance coverage…along with core coverages, report on results of request for bid on ancillary coverages…hard to know much without access to board packet

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Okay, thread got broken…I will attempt to fix shortly…but in meantime—-Lane makes motion to renew Employee Benefit Insurance following presenter Carpenter’s with amendment

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Wiley amends motion for item 10 with understanding that they will reopen bid process with understanding is 3 year contract and must have options back no later than February 2024 meeting

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Continuing discussions about driving insurance coverage costs down, as pertinent to item 10

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Item 11, presentation of Consolidated Financial Statements….coming out of COVID but not as fast as expected…positive savings on budget…again, lack of board packet and PPT makes following difficult

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Presentation shows positive year over year growth

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Molina to asks if there is any old or new business…none. Asks if any members of public want to address board…none. Meeting adjourned at 10:53 AM

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Okay, lost in this thread was discussion over item 10, concerning Employee Benefit Insurance...discussion about review of core and ancillary benefits...costs and coverages

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media Motion made to renew Employee Benefits with amendment that they will reopen bid process with understanding that it will be for a 3 year contract and available options must be presented no later than the February 2024 meeting.

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media So...as stated earlier, the meeting adjourned at 10:53 AM. This concludes my coverage of the October 26, 2023 DRCFA Board of Directors meeting. If you believe anything in the coverage is inaccurate email documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in subject line

@AaronMondry @Outlier_Media For more coverage please visit documenters.org