It takes money to save money.
That was the general idea as Orion Township Supervisor Matthew Gibb discussed plans to move forward to form a Joint Committee on Collaboration based on the March 25 meeting between Orion Township, Village of Lake Orion, Lake Orion Community Schools, and the Orion Township Library board.
‘That meeting received some very complimentary response both internally and externally,? Gibb said, noting the township will initially facilitate meetings until members of the four groups decide on how to proceed collectively.
To that end, Gibb presented a proposal for committee facilitation services from Charles Fleetham, president of Farmington Hills-based Project Innovations, Inc., a management consulting firm for business and government.
‘We do need someone to facilitate this process,? Gibb said. ‘I have a lot of respect for Charlie and think he was very well received (at the March 25 meeting).?
Fleetham submitted a proposal for $7,500, which outlined services such as completing group interviews, preparing a recommended scope of work, facilitating a series of meetings to develop a collaborative proposal and creating a PowerPoint presentation.
Administrative support and mileage were also included.
The board agreed that Gibb, along with Trustee Neal Porter and Trustee JoAnn VanTassel will represent the township on the committee.
VanTassel said she’d liked to see the hiring of a facilitator postponed until all four boards meet again in May.
‘I don’t think the township should pay 100 percent of the cost for two reasons,? she said. ‘I think its important there be a contribution, no matter how big or small, from the other entities. If only Orion Township is appointing a facilitator they have already talked to, will the other three view him as being the township spokesperson??
In addition, she said, SEMCOG offers similar services.
‘We ought to be in contact with them to see what they could provide,? she said. ‘They have done this kind of stuff in other communities, they have a track record.?
Porter agreed.
‘I think buy-in from the other communities, and that we all be equal partners in this, is very important,? he said.
But Gibb seemed determined to bring Fleetham in, noting he and Shults would ‘find out what his fee would be just to facilitate the first meeting.?
‘We can present his services to the group at that time,? Gibb said. ‘That way we have someone facilitate the first meeting.?
Ultimately, the board voted to postpone the decision until the April 19 meeting.