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: Thomas Dohr, Luke Fleer, Tim Gauthier, Richard Graham, Jayson Graves, Sandra Niks, Samantha Phillips
Council Member Adam Kochenderfer
Youth Representatives: Omar Ilyas, Maura Losh, Shreya Reddy
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Chairperson Carvey called the Green Space Advisory Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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Gerald Carvey, Tim Gauthier, Richard Graham, Jayson Graves, Sandra Niks, Dahlvin Peterson and Samantha Phillips
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Non-Voting Members Present: Kurt Dawson, Mike Hartner, Adam Kochenderfer (arrived 7:07 p.m.), Maura Losh (arrived 7:05 p.m.) and Shreya Reddy
Non-Voting Members Absent: Omar Ilyas
Others Present: Steve Niswander and Jeff Bridgland, Niswander Environmental, LLC, stewardship consultants
Committee Members Dohr, Fleer and Ilyas provided previous notice they would be unable to attend and asked to be excused.
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Regular Meeting - September 23, 2014
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 September 23, 2014 as presented.
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Chairperson Carvey welcomed Maura Losh, 2014-2015 Rochester Hills Government Youth Representative.
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GSAB Administrative & Strategic Sub-Committee
Discuss e-mail of intent submitted by Member Luke Fleer and Member Tom Dohr
Chairperson Carvey announced that Members Fleer and Dohr have offered their resignations due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr. Mike Hartner, Director of Parks & Forestry commented that if anyone knows of residents interested in serving on the GSAB, they can contact the Clerk's office. Appointments will be made by City Council at their December 8, 2014 meeting.
The following motion made by Jayson Graves and seconded by Richard Graham was unanimously supported:
Resolved, that the Green Space Advisory Board regretfully accepts the resignation of Members Luke Fleer and Tom Dohr.
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Chairperson Carvey acknowledged there were no members of the public present.
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Introduction of Niswander Environmental LLC., stewardship consultants
Mr. Mike Hartner, Director of Parks & Forestry, introduced Mr. Steve Niswander and Mr. Jeff Bridgland as the stewardship consultants for the Green Space Advisory Board. Everyone introduced themselves.
Mr. Steve Niswander has been an environmental consultant for 15 years. He explained that Niswander, Environmental LLC conducted a Natural Features Inventory (NFI) for the City in 2004 and 2005. It was a large project and identified the City's existing natural features and provided a baseline data set to be used for the Master Land Use Plan update.
Mr. Jeff Bridgland has been with Niswander, LLC since 2006 and is in charge of many ecological projects throughout Michigan and the United States. Both gentlemen are looking forward to working closely with GSAB.
Mr. Hartner explained that the December 8th City Council meeting is the target date for Mr. Niswander and Mr. Bridgland to present an general overview of stewardship and explain the breath of the issues at hand and to substantiate a $4 million dollar balance in trust so it can maximize interest earned. City Council will be provided with information describing the key parcels that have been purchased and why the remaining open space parcels may not fit the natural features criteria established by GSAB. Mr. Keith Sawdon, Finance Director, will also be present to explain the advantages of having a higher dollar trust fund balance.
Mr. Niswander stated that the key will be the examination of the open spaces as a whole and presenting a future plan for the preservation of the city-owned parcels along with general long-term costs. 2015 will be spend developing the document for the plan. He noted that there is a state-wide movement regarding long-term stewardship. He referenced some major clients that Niswander LLC is currently consulting. Some clients involve private sector funding.
Mr. Hartner commented that environmental education will be an important component of stewardship.
The GSAB members conveyed appreciation for the knowledge and experience that Niswander Environmental LLC will bring to the preservation of the City's green space parcels.
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GSAB Communication, Promotion & Education Sub-Committee
No report at this time.
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GSAB Property Nominations & Acquisitions Sub-Committee
Member Gauthier distributed an updated internal log that he maintains to show the status of green space parcels. The log now includes the recently nominated White property on the north boundary of Riverbend Park in Rochester Hills.
Mr. Niswander recommended that the information on Mr. Gauthier's log be made into a GIS layer that could be overlayed on the existing NFI report. It would be a useful visual tool and help develop costs for stewardship projects by quickly identifying acreage for wetlands, woodlands, and preservation areas, etc. Mr. Hartner will forward the recommendation to the MIS Department for their assistance.
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GSAB Stewardship & Advocacy Sub-Committee
No report at this time.
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Discuss Stewardship Management Plan
Review changes to draft score sheet
Board members discussed the elements on the draft score sheet. Mr. Niswander commented it was a good start. It outlines the elements of importance. The elements can be used to implement the methodology that will render a meaningful scoring process. Mr. Bridgland referenced the Michigan Rapid Assessment Method (MIRAM) that is also a numeric scoring system and has been used in Bloomfield Township as well as other projects he has handled.
Mr. Niswander generally described how the NFI and MIRAM could be used for assessments and evaluations. In addition, he referenced a Floristic Quality Assessment index (FQA) that can be used to determine and measure threats to natural species.
Discussion ensued regarding how to score elements such as obstructions, log jams, erosion, and steep slopes along the Clinton River and green space parcels. The question is how to determine what priority to give them in order to manage or remove them. They can be potential risks as well as in need of preservation at the same time.
Mr. Hartner commented that this can be a resource for other agencies as well.
The Board consensus was to continue review of the draft score sheet with the assistance and advice from the consultants at the next GSAB meeting.
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None at this time.
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- Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
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There being no further business to discuss, Chairperson Carvey adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Denise Mertz.
Minutes were approved as presented at the January 27, 2015 Regular Green Space Advisory Board Meeting.
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Gerald Carvey, Chairperson