1000 Rochester Hills Dr
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 656-4600
Home Page: www.rochesterhills.org
|
|
|
Chairperson Gerald Carvey, Vice Chairperson Dahlvin Peterson
Members: Peter Beightol, Tim Gauthier, Jayson Graves, Darlene Janulis, Thomas Neveau, Sandra Niks, Samantha Phillips
Council Member Adam Kochenderfer
Youth Representatives: Grace Currier, Elena Romund and Samina Saifee
|
|
|
|
Chairperson Carvey called the Green Space Advisory Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
|
Gerald Carvey, Tim Gauthier, Jayson Graves, Darlene Janulis, Sandra Niks, Dahlvin Peterson and Samantha Phillips
|
|
|
|
|
Non-voting members present: Kurt Dawson, Mike Hartner, Lance DeVoe, Grace Currier
Non-voting members absent: Adam Kochenderfer, Elena Romund with notice, Samina Saifee
Board Member Beightol provided notice that he would be unable to attend and asked to be excused.
Others: Patrick Endres
|
|
Regular Meeting - October 27, 2015
Attachments:
A motion was made by Janulis, seconded by Graves, that this matter be Approved as Amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resolved that the Green Space Advisory Board hereby approves the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 27, 2015, as presented/amended.
|
None at this time.
|
None at this time.
|
None at this time.
|
GSAB Administrative & Strategic Sub-Committee
Chairperson Carvey stated that the Administrative & Strategic Sub-Committee met to discuss the development of plans for each of the Green Space properties. He reported that the committee would like to see a vision developed for each property to see how they might look ten years from now. The committee agreed that they would ask the Board to look at one of the Green Space properties each month and come up with a plan for what needs to be done.
Chairperson Carvey used the Rivercrest property as an example of what the committee had in mind, stating that he would like to see the current fence replaced with one that you could see through, a possible overlook area and the removal of the cement along the river. Chairperson Carvey asked for the group's approval to pursue this idea. Director Hartner would like the Board to determine what their vision is for each of the Green Space properties. This information could then be shared with the public on the City's website as a concept plan for each of the sites.
Board Members discussed ideas for the potential development of concept plans as well as how the public and potential volunteers might be included in future projects. Chairperson Carvey requested that Board Members look at the Rivercrest property and be prepared to discuss a concept plan for the property at the December meeting.
|
|
GSAB Communication, Promotion & Education Sub-Committee
Board Member Graves reported on the feedback he received since the last meeting including the suggestion of involving the public with naming the Green Space properties. Director Hartner explained to the Board that City Council is interested in hearing from the GSAB on issues such as this before seeking input from the general public. Board Members discussed potential names as well as their definitions. Director Hartner discussed the City of Rochester Hills Parks and Recreation Master Plan for 2011-2015 which describes natural areas as "...public and private lands that are primarily undeveloped and include land
devoted to passive recreational use or lands retained for visual or natural resource protection purposes." In 2011 natural areas were ranked by Niswander Environmental with the top five priority sites being:
1. Bloomer Park
2. Oakland University
3. Riverbend Park
4. Northeast Stoney Creek
5. Clinton River Corridor
Director Hartner explained the City Parks Ordinance which designates conservation areas within City Parks and how these areas are protected by the ordinance. By designating Green Space properties with an additional tag name such as nature area or conservation area the ordinance could be expanded to offer additional protection to the properties. Further discussion ensued on the tag names. Director Hartner stated a case for keeping the tag line as Green Space or using "Greenspace" as part of the tag name since the public is familiar with the Green Space designation after the two ballot issues and exposure on the City website Green Space page. Members discussed adding an additional name to the Green Space designation. Member Janulis listed the names under consideration by the Board to be discussed at the December meeting as follows:
Nature Area
Natural Area
Conservation Area
Green Space
Natural Preserve
Conservation Green Space
Greenspace Nature Area
Member Phillips inquired about a possible Green Space logo. Board Members agreed to look into this topic later in 2016. Member Graves asked everyone to again review the draft material and provide feedback on potential Green Space tag names prior to the December meeting.
|
|
GSAB Property Nominations & Acquisitions Sub-Committee
No report at this time.
|
|
GSAB Stewardship & Advocacy Sub-Committee
Vice Chairperson Peterson informed the Board that he would like to have the Youth Council Representatives get involved with this committee.
|
|
Discuss Stewardship Management Plan
Topic to be discussed as part of 2015-0486 agenda item.
|
|
Recommendation to adopt the Rochester Hills Natural Features Stewardship Program Long Term Management Plan
Attachments:
Chairperson Carvey opened the discussion on the adoption of the Long Term Management Plan. Director Hartner informed the Board that he would like to have the Rochester Hills Natural Features Stewardship Program Long Term Management Plan adopted by the Board at tonight's meeting and then presented for adoption by City Council at the December 14, 2015 meeting. It is his intent to invite Steve Niswander to the December 14th Council meeting to help with the presentation of the plan as well as answer any questions.
Board Members discussed issues with the scoring calculations of the Restoration/Enhancement Values in the plan and requested further clarification from the Niswander Environmental staff. Director Hartner explained how the Long Term Management Plan will be used in determining which projects will be decided upon within each year's budget. He assured the Board that they would have input into the annual decision process. Park Ranger DeVoe reviewed how the final scores for each project were reached based upon the addition of the Public Benefit analysis. He explained that the Public Benefit scores were based upon direct input from Park Department staff on criteria that was deemed to be of importance to the public, the costs of improvements and potential success rates of individual projects. Director Hartner assured the Board that they would continue to have the support of the Niswander team in the selection of future projects as well as help with determining the budget costs of the projects that would be recommended to City Council each year. Park Ranger DeVoe reminded the Board that Niswander developed and tested the scoring system on each of the Green Space properties and tailored the plan to meet the specific needs of each property. The plan's final scoring will assist the Board in their future decision making. Board Members continued to discuss the Public Benefit scoring method and requested additional clarification from Niswander on this topic. Park Ranger DeVoe observed that the Long Term Management Plan was a tool that the Board could use in determining what projects would be recommended to City Council but the final decision remained with the Board in determining the annual projects recommended.
Discussion concluded with the agreement that Niswander would provide additional clarification on the Public Ranking scoring. Board Members discussed the wording of the resolution to have the Green Space Advisory Board adopt the Rochester Hills Natural Features Stewardship Program Long
Term Management Plan and agreed to put the motion up for adoption with a change in wording to refer to the plan as a living document to guide the Board in carrying out an effective stewardship management plan for all Green Space properties.
Now therefore be it resolved that a motion was made by Janulis, seconded by Niks, to adopt the Rochester Hills Natural Features Stewardship Program Long Term Management Plan. The matter carried by the following vote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whereas, GSAB has been diligently working to acquire open space per the Green Space and Natural Features Millage approved in 2005; and
Whereas, GSAB has undertaken a steady effort to research elements of a good stewardship program to protect the City residents’ investment in city-owned green spaces that included obtaining a baseline assessment study, placing boundary markers on green space parcels, hosting “discovery hikes” to educate the public, and conducting several pilot stewardship projects on city-owned green spaces to determine the scope of stewardship needs; and
Whereas, GSAB has had several discussions to define stewardship and develop a mission statement, vision statement and value statement regarding a future stewardship management plan for significant natural resources within Rochester Hills;
Whereas, GSAB has worked diligently with the staff at Niswander Environmental to develop a living document to guide the Board in carrying out an effective stewardship management plan for all Green Space properties;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Green Space Advisory Board adopts the Niswander Environmental Rochester Hills Natural Features Stewardship Program Long Term Management Plan.
|
None at this time.
|
None at this time.
|
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
|
There being no further business to discuss, Chairperson Carvey adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Maureen Nakonek.
______________________________________
Gerald Carvey, Chairperson