Rochester Hills Legistar System

Committee members discussed the 2005 request of a developer interested in

purchasing the Pine Trace Golf Course.

Mike Hartner, Director of Parks & Forestry, provided a brief history as follows:

* Approximately one year ago the Mayor emphatically informed the developer the City

was not interested in selling Pine Trace Golf Course.

* City obtained the 190 acre property with a grant through a trust fund which required

that the 190 acre property remain as recreation.

* Original property owner donated half the value and the DNR trust fund, which is

currently the Michigan Land Trust Fund, granted a match of $880,000.

* City incurred no costs to obtain the property but the stipulation was that the 190 acres

be used for open public recreation in perpetuity.

* City entered into a 35 year lease to develop Pine Trace Golf Course and is currently in

year 20 with an additional ten (10) year option after that.

* City did not incur development costs of Pine Trace.

* Second benefit of golf course included a design of a stone water retention which

solved a major drainage problem on the South West corner.

* City will obtain full control of Pine Trace Golf Course when lease expires in 2025.

* City currently receives guaranteed gross income of five (5%) percent and in a short

time increasing to ten (10%) percent which amounts to approximately $50,000 annually.

* Since then, the developer has requested a second consideration from the City with an

offer of a "land swap" in lieu of an out right purchase.

* Developer has an "option" on the northern fifty (50) acres north of the River on

Riverbend Park also referred to as the "Dr. White Piece".

Mr. Hartner further stated that he was asked to meet with the developer and noted the

following:

* Developer was informed that there are restrictions on the 190 acre Pinte Trace golf

course property and that it is required to remain as recreation.

* Mayor Somerville negatively responded to the developer's "land swap" request.

Mr. Hartner noted the developer approached Golf Concepts at Pine Trace and they

redirected the developer back to the City. He indicated that the leasees of Pine Trace

are not interested in getting out of their lease.

Mr. Ambrozaitis stated that $50,000 in fees does not compare to what the developer will

place back on the tax roll.

Committee member inquired if residents were in agreement with the development of a

Golf Course in lieu of a Park.

Mr. Hartner stated that the original property owner, who donated the land, preferred that

a Golf Course be built noting that it has been successful, it meets a recreational need in

the community, it protected sixty (60) acres of wetlands and it has not cost the tax

Committee members discussed the possibility of disbanding the Leisure Activities

Committee noting the following:

* Subject was discussed at the City Council level with a decision to continue discussion

at a City Council Workshop.

Chairperson Ambrozaitis and City Council member Linda Raschke were in agreement

that Leisure Activities Committee is excessive and mentioned a possibility of setting

Leisure Activity Committee meetings every other month.

Chairperson Ambrozaitis stated that Leisure Activities Committee serves an importance

but would like to see the committees structure change to having only one (1) City

Council member, making the Leisure Activities Committee more citizen driven.

Mike Hartner, Director of Parks & Forestry, suggested contacting the Clerk's Office to

obtain Committee history.