Council Briefs September 2014

Council sets study sessions
The Wayne City Council will start having study sessions at 7 p.m. before each city council meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hawley said, “We can get some things accomplished and discuss issues in more detail.”
During these sessions they will discuss the city’s $500,000 deficit, plans for the future of the Wayne Community Center, Wayne City Hall and the fire authority. They also have to discuss staffing changes, economic development and other issues facing the city.
Councilwoman Susan Rowe suggested having a targeted agenda for each session. Meetings will currently take place at the Wayne Community Center, 4635 Howe Road.

Finance director resigns
Finance Director James Ghedotte resigned from the City of Wayne last month to take a job with the City of Joliet, Illinois. Ghedotte had worked for Wayne as comptroller before serving for 18 years in Oak Park. In 2012 he returned to Wayne as Finance Director. He resigned Aug. 22 and started his new position in Joliet on Aug. 25 Councilman Albert Damitio congratulated Ghedotte on his new job. He said, “He has done quite a bit for the city since he came back.”

City re-hires consulting group
Wayne City Council has re-entered into an agreement with Winchester Consulting Group to provide marketing services.
Winchester Consulting Group will bill the city $100 per hour for the following tasks:
Organization and facilitation of a Financial Visioning session III
Organization and facilitation of specific committees including but not limited to Millage Task Force; Housing and Neighborhood Task Force; Community and Business Task Force; and Public Safety Task Force
Facilitation of a 345 millage request. WCG will assist in the consulting and communications to support the passage of a 345 millage on the May 2015 ballot.

Council will appoint next mayor
Mayor Al Haidous won the primary election for Wayne County commissioner and if he is successful in the general election in November he will have to resign his position of mayor. According to the opinion from the City Attorney Paul Bohn, The City council will appoint a current city member to fill in as mayor until Nov. 2015. The council will also appoint a new member to the city council to hold office until the Monday following the Nov. 2015. Election.

Distinguished Young Woman
The Distinguished Young Women of Wayne-Westland is looking for Wayne-Westland female high school seniors who want to earn college scholarships.
The program used to be known as America’s Junior Miss and is a program that includes fitness, talent, academic and poise portions.
The orientation meeting will be a 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 at 37955 Glenwood, Wayne. The Distinguished Young Women of Wayne-Westland program will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Practices will be 5-8 p.m. Sundays, beginning Sept. 28.
For more information, contact high school counselors at either John Glenn or Wayne Memorial High School.

Fire Department receives grants for thermal imaging cameras
The Wayne-Westland Fire Association (WWFA) has received a $56,250 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA to purchase five thermal imaging cameras.
Each of the front-line WWFA fire trucks will be equipped with one of these cameras, which will boost public safety and be a critical asset for the WWFA in protecting and serving the community.
The cameras use infrared technology to help firefighters locate victims, pinpoint fire, and recognize structural dangers.