Michigan DNR: News Digest – Week of May 11, 2020
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With many people spending more time near home these days, it’s a good time to discover new listening and learning resources. One of these is the 
Arborists caring for the grounds of the historic Mann House last February noticed something special – a stately white oak tree. On closer inspection, they estimated the majestic tree’s age at about 250 years old.
In honor of National Police Week (May 10-16 this year), the time is right to highlight the important work of conservation officers in the DNR Law Enforcement Division. These men and women are in the field and on the front lines every day, protecting our state’s natural resources and public health and safety. It is a physically and mentally demanding career that officers and their families commit their lives to.
A quiet spot in your backyard, a thicket or a patch of tall grass – these all are places where fawns have been found. If you do come across a fawn this spring, don’t touch it. There’s a very good chance it is right where it’s supposed to be.
Strong Demand Prompts Sale Of County Bonds
Strong Demand Prompts Sale Of County Bonds To Fund Emergency Radio System While Saving Taxpayers Millions
Pontiac, Michigan – County Executive David Coulter today announced the sale of series of Oakland County Building Authority Bonds that will fund part of a new emergency radio system, refinance outstanding bonds at a lower interest rate and save taxpayers millions of dollars.
The high demand for the bonds resulted in a lower interest rate, benefiting the county and taxpayers. Seven sealed bids were received for the bonds.
“This was a great day for the taxpayers of Oakland County,” Coulter said. “The strong demand for the Building Authority bonds shows that investors are willing to put their dollars behind Oakland County. The credit ratings agencies also displayed strong confidence in Oakland County’s economic and financial health by affirming our Aaa/AAA credit ratings.”
The initial bond sale was scheduled for March 24 but postponed due to the financial crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the index used to establish interest rates for tax-exempt bonds has fallen approximately 150 basis points or 1.50 percent.
The exceptional high demand resulted in a lower interest rate on the bonds or a true interest cost of 1.32 percent for bond maturing in the years 2020 through 2039. The bond proceeds will be used to fund a portion of the county’s new emergency radio communication system and to refinance six outstanding Building Authority bond issues. The refinancing portion of the transaction resulted in interest savings of $2,197,300 for the county or local units of government that rent facilities from the county.
Prior to the bond sale, credit rating agencies conducted a thorough review of the county’s economy and finances in order to assign a credit rating. The county’s credit ratings were affirmed by Moody’s Investor Services at “Aaa” Stable and Standards and Poor’s at “AAA” Stable. These strong ratings allow the county to borrow money at a lower interest rate, which translates to taxpayer savings and reflects the general creditworthiness of the County. Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. served as bond counsel, with Robert W. Baird as municipal advisor on the sale.
Oakland County Michigan Works! Launches Virtual Workshops
Oakland County Michigan Works! Launches Virtual Workshops For Those Impacted By COVID-19 And Preparing For A Job Search
Waterford, Michigan – Oakland County Michigan Works! is launching a series of virtual workshops for people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are interested in exploring new career opportunities.
The interactive online workshops replace in-person ones previously available at service centers that closed to visitors because of the pandemic. The one-hour guided sessions help prepare people for their next career opportunity and include a question and answer period.
“Getting our residents back to work is one of our top priorities as the economy begins to reopen and businesses resume operations,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “Oakland County Michigan Works! provides valuable career assistance and these virtual workshops give people expert advice that can lead to future employment and a meaningful career.”
Hosted by trained career counselors, the virtual workshops are being held online now through early June, with an expanded schedule planned. Topics include:
- Resume Writing: Preparing a Resume that Gets Attention – May 15, 22, 29 & June 5
- Job Interview Tips: Making a Great Impression with an Employer – May 19, 26 & June 2
- The Language of LinkedIn: Using the Popular Career Tool the Right Way – May 18
- Career Transitions: Switching Careers and Flourishing in Today’s Economy – May 14, 21, 28 & June 4
- Gig Jobs: Exploring Non-Traditional Employment Opportunities – June 1
- Unemployment and Budgeting: Navigating the Unemployment Process and Making Smart Budgeting Decisions – May 13, 20, 27 & June 3
To register for a virtual workshop or review the schedule, visit www.Oakland-County-Michigan-Works.Eventbrite.com.
“As businesses reopen, we hope people will be able to return to their previous positions but, in the event that they cannot, we are here to help prepare them for a job search,“ said Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!
“Our customers use our services each month to build new skills, make new connections and find new career opportunities. Now is an ideal time to work with us as you prepare for and launch a job search. We are ready to support you on a virtual basis and we hope to resume in-person appointments sometime in the future.”
Lewellyn said the six service centers in Oakland County work with businesses across the region to support their workforce development needs, from assistance in recruiting talent and training opportunities, to employee retention programs. The goal is to help employers attract and employ talent across the job spectrum.
Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy and Waterford. Combined, they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing workshops, job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information. The Oakland County service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.
Service center staffs remain available by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a virtual meeting, call 1-800-285-WORK.
Road and bridge construction require closing I-75
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020
CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, MorosiR@Michigan.gov
Road and bridge construction require closing I-75 this weekend in Oakland County
Fast facts: – Bridge beam setting and road work requires closing I-75 between M-102 (Eight Mile Road) and I-75 Business Loop (Square Lake Road) this weekend. – During the closure, all traffic will be detoured to M-1 (Woodward Avenue). – The freeway closure begins at 11 p.m. Friday, May 15, and ends by 5 a.m. Monday, May 18.
May 13, 2020 — Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract crews will be setting bridge beams on John R. Road and Meyers Avenue over I-75 along with performing road work this weekend. This will require closing northbound and southbound I-75 between M-102 (Eight Mile Road) and I-75 Business Loop (Square Lake Road) beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, May 15. Both directions of I-75 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 18.
During this closure, northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road), northbound M-1 (Woodward Avenue), and eastbound Square Lake Road back to northbound I-75. All northbound entrance ramps to I-75 from M-8 (Davison Freeway) to Adams Road will be closed beginning at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.
Southbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound Square Lake Road, southbound M-1, and eastbound M-102 back to southbound I-75. All entrance ramps to southbound I-75 from M-59 to Nine Mile Road will be closed starting at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.
I-75 ramps that are already closed due to the current construction configuration will remain closed after the freeway opens.
Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75. ESSENTIAL WORK: This road construction project is an essential function. Transportation workers in the field follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit their risk of getting sick. |
State of Michigan to Participate in Federal Work Share Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State of Michigan to Participate in Federal Work Share Program to Protect Workers, Help Address Budget Deficit LANSING, Mich. — Today the state of Michigan announced that it would participate in the federal Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Work Share program to help offset budget implications as a result of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this program, impacted state employees will take two temporary layoff days per pay period beginning Sunday, May 17th until July 25th resulting in up to $80 million in decreased wage costs. “As we continue to combat COVID-19, it’s clear that we’re facing unprecedented challenges that will lead to serious budget implications for the state of Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Utilizing this federal program keeps state employees working so they can continue to provide critical services to Michiganders and protects their paychecks so they can continue to support their families.” This federal program allows the state to keep employees working with reduced hours, while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of the lost wages. State managers at the 17 level and above will not participate in Work Share but will take one layoff day every other pay period resulting in an approximate 5 percent reduction in gross pay. Over 31,000 state employees will be impacted. Impacted employees will retain their health insurance and other benefits and will be automatically enrolled into the unemployment process to help ensure they have the support they need during this challenging time. Last month, Governor Whitmer announced she was taking a 10 percent pay cut and directed her executive team and cabinet appointees to take a 5 percent pay cut for the remainder of the fiscal year. Additionally, the Executive Office of the Governor will participate in the Work Share program. Today’s layoffs do not impact anybody working on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Law enforcement, the prison system, veterans’ homes, and other key health and human services all remain fully staffed with on-site employees. |
Governor Extends Order Enhancing Hospital Capacity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2020 Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Extends Executive Order Enhancing Hospital Capacity, Efficiency
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-82, extending a prior order temporarily lifting regulatory requirements on hospitals and care facilities to help ensure adequate personnel and facilities to serve patients during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
The reissued order authorizes the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to waive certain requirements to expedite bringing additional care facilities online as needed. The order also empowers LARA to ensure an adequate supply of care providers during the emergency by granting the department additional flexibility in its decisions about licensing, registration and workflow requirements.
“We have made great progress in slowing the spread of this deadly disease, but we must do everything we can to continue flattening the COVID-19 curve across Michigan,” Governor Whitmer said. “This order will help facilities expand capacity as needed, ensuring Michiganders have access to care throughout this public health crisis.”
The new order is in effect until June 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus an
To view Executive Order 2020-82, click the link below:
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