Rochester Hills Legistar System

Non-Voting Members Present: Scott Cope, Roger Rousse and Mark Witte

Non-Voting Members Absent: Ed Anzek, Erin Mozer and Katie Talbert

Others Present: Open Space Preservation Ad-Hoc Committee

Committee Member Ed Anzek provided previous notice he would be unable to attend

and asked to be excused.

Paul Funk, Chairperson of Open Space Preservation Ad-hoc Committee, provided an

update on Open Space Preservation.

* Ad-hoc Committee's goal is to protect and preserve green spaces and habitat, scenic

views, woodlands, wetlands, rivers and streams and expand Clinton River Green Way

and other Trail Corridors.

* Ad-hoc Committee has been working towards promoting a positive campaign within

the community by performing neighborhood walk through, phone calls and side

discussions.

CDV Committee members reviewed the proposed ballot language for Open Space issue

and discussed the following:

* After extensive research of State wide and Nation wide proposals, rules and laws, the

Ad-hoc Committee concluded that there is still greater recognition by the common

citizen with the term "Green Space" as opposed to "Open Space".

* Committee felt in respect to other critical needs in the community that a proposed

millage of .3 would be sufficient and explainable to the community.

* The 0.3 mils constitutes a (40%) forty percent decrease from last years 0.5 mils Open

Space Millage proposal.

* A non-tax solution would be to solicit conservation easements by identifying

properties, talking with the actual land owner, educating and soliciting their support on

providing an easement.

* Committee feels that there is great opportunity for community discussions and

educational forums regarding the Clinton River Green Way and what are some of the

better properties.

* Committee stated that they are not "anti development" and will not bring forward any "

anti development" language.

Committee discussed the Financial aspect of millage and how a 0.3 mil would impact a

household.

In response to the Committee's questions, Mr. Funk acknowledged that he expects John

Staran, City Attorney, to confirm statutory requirements.

Committee recommended that the proposed "Green Space Land Authority" ballot

language move on to City Council.

Mr. Duistermars stated that he did not see this as all residents having a particular

interest in Open Space Preservation.

Ms. Holder disagreed and stated that Open Space Preservation has been an issue with

residents for a long period of time.

A motion was made by Holder, seconded by Kaszubski, that this matter be

Approved and Referred to the City Council Regular Meeting.

RESOLVED: That the Community Development Committee recommends that City

Council consider the placement of the Green Space Land Authority Millage

proposal on the August Primary Election.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Barnett, Holder, Cosenza and Kaszubski

Enactment No: RES0200-2005

Conservation Easements

Standard 11 Conservation Easement Stewardship.pdf; Memo to CDV

Conservation Easement 106(ver2).pdf; Memo Roger Conservation

Easements.pdf; Info Packet Conservation Easements.pdf; Oakland Land

Conservancy Proposal.pdf

Roger Rousse, Director of DPS, presented to the Committee information regarding

Conservation Easement encroachments noting the following:

* City's current Conservation Easement inventory totals forty seven (47).

* Further research is needed to locate and document all Conservation Easements.

* Encroachments range from small buildings, soil replacement, mowed grass, planted

trees, sandboxes to large encroachments such as a swimming pool.

* The question is who responsible for enforcing the Conservation Easements.

Committee discussed the possibility of creating or amending part of the Ordinance to

obtain enforcement authority.

Mr. Funk stated that if the Conservation Easement has been encroached upon and is

deeded to be left alone, then the City is responsible to enforce.

Mr. Rousse explained that Ownership of a Conservation Easement is initially owned by

the Developer. Once the subdivision is established, the ownership of the Conservation

Easement is transferred to the Homeowners Association.

Committee member mentioned Conservation Easements should be recorded on the

Deed.

Member Duistermars suggested that there be a way to designate the property line so

residents know where their property ends.

Mr. Rousse indicated he would need staff and equipment to do boundary surveys to

identify these locations.

Consensus of Committee is to have the Administration continue to research this issue

and place it on a future meeting agenda.

Roger Rousse, Director of DPS, provided the proposed 2005 DPS Replacement

Equipment as follows:

Committee members discussed the Proposal of purchasing one (1) multi-purpose

vehicle vs. purchasing two (2) individual purpose vehicles.

* Combining these vehicles into one (1) saves approximately $33,000.

* Combination vehicle will be utilized to a greater extent annually.

Consensus of Committee members to approve this purchase.