1000 Rochester Hills Dr
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 656-4600
Home Page: www.rochesterhills.org
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Chairperson Gerald Carvey, Vice Chairperson Dahlvin Peterson
Members: Peter Beightol, Tim Gauthier, Jayson Graves, Darlene Janulis, Sandra Niks, Samantha Phillips
Council Member Susan Bowyer Ph.D.
Youth Representatives: Grace Currier, Elena Romund and Samina Saifee
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Chairperson Carvey called the Green Space Advisory Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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Peter Beightol, Gerald Carvey, Tim Gauthier, Jayson Graves, Darlene Janulis, Sandra Niks, Dahlvin Peterson and Samantha Phillips
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Non-voting members present: Mike Hartner, Lance DeVoe, Grace Currier, Elena Romund, Samina Saifee
Council Member Susan Bowyer joined the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Non-voting members absent: Kurt Dawson
Others: Jeff Bridgland, Todd Losse, Patrick Endres
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Regular Meeting - November 10, 2015
Attachments:
A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Niks, that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Resolved that the Green Space Advisory Board hereby approves the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 10, 2015 as presented/amended.
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Chairperson Carvey presented a proclamation to Board Member Samantha Phillips thanking her for her years of service to the Green Space Advisory Board.
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None at this time.
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GSAB Administrative & Strategic Sub-Committee
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Concept plans for individual Green Space properties.
Attachments:
Chairperson Carvey opened the discussion on the Rivercrest property stating that once the City begins to make improvements to the area he is hopeful that the surrounding homeowners will be encouraged to make improvements as well. Director Mike Hartner gave a history of the Rivercrest property and reviewed items listed in the Long Term Management Plan that could be addressed such as the armoring of the riverbank as well as the removal of invasive species. He encouraged the Board Members to use these concept plans as opportunities or lists of what the Board would like to see undertaken for each of the Green Space properties. Discussion continued with ideas for an overlook area, a ramp, removal of the hard armoring along the riverbank and a change in fencing that would remove the solid fencing and replace it with wrought iron fencing similar to what is used on Avon Road.
Board Member Phillips stated that the Rivercrest property did not score very high in the Long Term Management Plan and questioned how best to approach City Council with funding recommendations. Director Hartner reminded the Board that they would be using the Long Term Management Plan as an aid in their decision making process for annual budget recommendations and that with any changes to a property the scoring could change as well. For example, a change in fencing that would enhance the view of the Rivercrest property would increase the overall score.
Chairperson Carvey asked Board Members Jason Graves and Peter Beightol and Park Ranger Lance DeVoe to join him on a sub-committee to formulate a concept plan for the full Board to discuss at the January meeting. Director Hartner noted that once a concept plan is developed a drawing could be posted
to the City website to inform residents about upcoming projects. Additionally, the concept plans could be utilized with potential grant opportunities.
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GSAB Communication, Promotion & Education Sub-Committee
Board Member Graves discussed the results of the survey he conducted with fellow Board Members on potential names for Green Space Properties reporting that "Green Space" and "Nature Area" received the most votes. Board Member Janulis stated that the sub-committee members felt it was important to continue to use the name "Green Space" because of the ten years of tax millage funding raised for Green Space properties. Board Member Beightol suggested naming the properties "(property name) Nature Area: A Rochester Hills Green Space Property." Director Hartner clarified that the City website would list the property name only and any signage at the properties could include a Green Space logo along with the full name. Board Member Graves will give an update of all information at the January meeting.
Board Member Graves informed the group that the annual Discovery Day Hike would be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Riverbend Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Park Ranger Lance DeVoe will conduct guided tours of the Park at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Patrick Endres, Environmental Education Staff Member at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, offered to help with the marketing of the Discovery Day Hike. Board Member Beightol offered his assistance at the event. Todd Losse of Niswander Environmental will do a demonstration at the Park as part of the event and Board Member Phillips offered to do the handout sheets.
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GSAB Property Nominations & Acquisitions Sub-Committee
No report at this time.
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GSAB Stewardship & Advocacy Sub-Committee
No report at this time.
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Discuss Stewardship Management Plan
Mr. Jeff Bridgland and Mr. Todd Losse of Niswander Environmental provided Board Members with a handout of the GSAB Project Prioritization Tool Scoring Explanation and Examples, which summarizes what had been talked about at the November meeting. Park Ranger Lance DeVoe gave the Board Members an introduction to the scoring topic sheet. Mr. Losse referred to the scoring spreadsheets in the Long Term Management Plan explaining that each property was scored on Benefits, Public Visibility/Use and Costs with the Public Visibility/Use and Costs rankings outweighing the Benefits rankings in
determining the overall score. Board Members discussed the explanation and examples of the scoring system.
Board Member Janulis summed up the discussion items stating that the rankings are arrived at by combining the Benefit, Use and Cost scores and that these scores tell the story of each of the Green Space properties. Director Hartner reminded the Board that the plan remains a living document that is subject to change over time and also suggested that when recommending future projects to City Council a narrative of the property should be included. Director Hartner commented that City Council expects and relies upon the GSAB for project recommendations with the understanding that the GSAB and Niswander Environmental have done all of the necessary background research.
Director Hartner introduced City Councilperson Susan Bowyer who was appointed at the December 7, 2015 City Council meeting as the new GSAB City Council Representative.
Mr. Bridgland informed the GSAB Members that his company is in the process of finalizing a Users Manual for the Long Term Management Plan and he hoped to send this to the Board Members in early 2016.
Director Hartner concluded the discussion by assuring the Board Members that the staff of Niswander Environmental will continue to provide support to the Board as they move forward with future plans. He also stated that as of January, 2016 there would be five million dollars in the trust fund for stewardship projects in perpetuity using the interest on that account.
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Chairperson Carvey asked for a Youth Council volunteer to help with the development of concept plans. Elena Romund volunteered to meet with the sub-committee.
Director Hartner passed out a concept drawing of a possible Green Space logo. The Board will take this matter up at a future meeting.
Chairperson Carvey closed the meeting by acknowledging his thanks and appreciation to Director Hartner and Board Member Phillips for their contributions to the GSAB over the years.
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None at this time.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Appoint Chair, Vice Chair, adopt 2016 meeting schedule
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There being no further business to discuss, Chairperson Carvey adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Maureen Nakonek.
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Gerald Carvey, Chairperson