Author: Bob Yager
Snell Road Safety Path on Agenda for 6 PM Wednesday, April 3, 2024 Safety Paths and Trails Committee Meeting – Make it Wider is Our View.
At tomorrow’s April 3, 2024 Safety Paths and Trails Committee Meeting the Snell Rd. path (Rochester Road to Stony Creek Metropark) will be discussed.
See the agenda here:
I think we should try hard to have a path wider than the planned 6 feet for prevention of bicycle / bicycle and bicycle / pedestrian collisions. 10 feet wide is the AASHTO standard.
Drawings of the project plan so far can be seen here:
Comments copied below are from a PEA Engineering Feasibliity Study letter at this link.
“Snell Road from Rochester Road to Stony Creek Ravine Nature Park
Length: 6,558’ (1.2 miles)
Easements: 9 (1 at HCMA property is low challenge and 8 at residential lots are high challenge)
Technical Concerns: 1,153 LF of retaining walls, significant earthwork, 130’ long boardwalk over Stony Creek.
Potential Cost: $1,700,000
Cost per lineal foot: $259
General Comments: 6’ concrete sidewalk the entire way, 8-10’ pathway won’t fit in the R.O.W. Technically challenging route to construct. The number of easements along residential properties makes this route likely not feasible.”
P.S. – SPTC is looking for a new member. Get application form on-line or at Township Hall.
Board Selects Joseph Merucci as Township Manager
In a close 4/3 vote the Board selected Joseph Merucci as our next Township Manager to replace Adam Kline who resigned months ago. This came after a motion to appoint current elected Township Supervisor Robin Buxar failed 3/4. There was public comment from three residents and apparently about 10 – 11 email expressing opinions on the matter were received. Rather than me attempting to summarize the discussion and comments watch the video (section 7/5) ideoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/864272
Cell Phone Tower on Clarkston Rd. Opposed by Residents
At the recent March 26, 2024 Oakland Township Board of Trustees Meeting about a dozen residents who live in close proximity to the proposed 195 Verizon foot cell-phone tower spoke strongly against it, citing its appearance and negative effect on property values in this rural residential area. The site is a 20 acre property owned by Lake Orion schools and immediately adjacent to Marshview Park. They will receive about $1900 per month from Verizon.
Apparently the residents were informed that the Board will consider this issue at their April 9 meeting. If you have a view, you should attend that meeting and comment. The Planning Commission who reviews such matters voted narrowly 3/2 at their February 6, 2024 meeting to recommend that the Board approve it. Two members of the Planning Commission were absent from the meeting. The minutes of that meeting give more detail here: https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753018965.pdf
The detailed blueprints should be available for inspection by anyone at the Building Dept. window at Township Hall. See a site schematic drawing and the letters from Township consultants here in gthe February 6 meeting packet: https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753014259.pdf
Board of Trustees, Tuesday,3/26/24, 7 PM
See the agenda at the link above which takes you to the 53 page meeting packet. Also read the much improved minutes of 3/7 and 3/12 meetings on pages 25-29 of packet. (Each motion is explained.)
See every check written recently for approval by Board and background materials for each agenda item on the page shown to the right of each item.
I suppose the big item is choosing the new Township Manager.
Historic District Commission Meeting, Wednesday March 20, 2024, 7 PM
HDC Agenda for Wednesday March 20, 2024, 7 PM
1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda March 20, 2024
4. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: February 21, 2024
5. Welcome Public Comments
6. Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District
a. Eagle Scout Candidate Project Proposal
b. Garling Farm Barn Project and Visioning Open House
c. Purchase of AED for CLF d. Programs 2024
7. Oakland Twp Historic Preservation
a. MHPN Preservation Award Nomination
b. RCS Administration Bldg – Support thank you
8. Historic Preservation Planners Report
9. HDC March FY 2024 Invoices – For Approval
10. HDC Commissioner Comments
11. Adjournment
Information in the meeting packet https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753028198.pdf is listed below. I’ve picked three items I think are of most interest to preservation enthusiasts
- Minutes of February 21. 2024 meeting, pages 2-6
- Trouble with Road Commission in moving historic barn, pages 7-16
- Saving historic Rochester High School building, pages 51-57
and one of interest to budget hawks.
- ($699,014 fund balance), page 73
Contents: Page
1. Agenda March 20, 2024 …………………………………………………………1
2. Draft Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 …………………………2-6
3. RCOC Moving Emails and older Permit ……………………………. 7-16
4. Garling Barn online survey questions and responses ………….17-19
5. Barn Survey Response Charts ……………………………………….. ….20-23
6. Open House Comments on Garling Barn ……………………….…. 24
7. Location Options for Barn Placement ……………………………… 25-28
8. Barn Comparisons for Cost Valuation ……………………………… 29-30
9. Electric Floor Heating Review for optional heating source …… 31-36
10. AED Options CLF Main House ………..……………………………… 37-39
11. 3-PAGE Newsletter for Parks Mailing to OT Residents …………40-43
12. Upcoming Program Flyers for CLF ……………………………………44-46
13. MHPN Gem Award Nomination and Regret Letter ……..……… 47-50
14. Saving School Buildings and RCS Letter of Support ……………51-57
15. MHPO celebrating OT Historic Districts Tax Credits ……………58
16. Milkweed can grow at CLF! ………………………………………… …59-60
17. Drinking Water Testing updates kits …………………………………61
18. OC Parks Fireside Chats on Historic Preservation ……………..62
19. HDC March 2024 Invoice List ……………………………………….. 63-64
20. HDC Budget Report March ……………………………………………. 65-66
21. HDC Revenue and Expenditure Report ……………………..…….. 67-72
22. HDC Banking Report March 2024 ……………………………………. 73
Paint Creek Trailways Commission Tonight, Tuesday March 19, 7 PM at Paint Creek Cider Mill
See the agenda for tonight’s meeting and the draft minutes from last month’s meeting at the link below at the end of comments. (These are excellent minutes prepared by contractor Ingrid Kliffel. She also does Parks minutes and used to do our Board minutes until early 2013 when the 2013-2016 Board decided to include only the legally required minimum information in Oakland Township Board minutes.)
There is a lot of good information in this packet. I won’t try to summarize it all. Several issues directly effecting Oakland Township are:
A resident at 4763 forest Ridge Court whose yard backs up to the trail just south of Gallagher Road seeks permission to continue the encroachment of her steps that were there when she bought the house recently and were actually advertised by the realtor as an advantage. She just replaced the rotting wood and added a handrail which suddenly made the steps visible. I think her request is reasonable, especially since she allows all her neighbors access.
Minutes say that Supervisor Robin Buxar will have a porta-potty installed outside near Paint Creek Cider Mill. (Too bad the 2013-2016 Oakland Township Board of trustees “shot down” Parks Director Mindy Milos-Dale plan including a grant application, that included very nice outdoor restrooms in that area among other things.)
The Commission will undertake revision of their master plan with public input scheduled for June-July 2024
A resident raised several trail maintenance issues – enlarged chipmunk holes that have been a hazard to kid’s bikes, poor slope that cause bad drainage and ruts after heavy rains caused by improper slopes, and the need for periodic grading to knock down bumps.
I raised the issue of the high levels of dust in an email to the Trail Manager. The Trail Manager made the Paint Creek Trailways Commissioners aware of my concern in his monthly memo. (I’d like to see our future Township Manager do the same for issues we residents raise with him/her.)
Of our two Commissioners and one alternate only Commissioner Brian Blust attended the February meeting.
https://paintcreektrail.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/March-19-2024-Meeting-Packet.pdf
Letter to Board of Trustees About Safety Path Width
To: Board of Trustees, Oakland Township
From: Bob Yager
I would like to see my suggestion below on the Board of Trustees agenda for discussion and acceptance, denial, or modification
Safety Path and Trails construction plans must be first approved by our Planning Commission and then recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. This will ensure that all requirements of Zoning Ordinance No. 16, passed January 23, 2018, are met.
In particular, I am concerned about paths that have been approved by our Board of Trustees without review by the Planning Commission that contain paths narrower than the 10-foot width required by this ordinance. In my view this creates an unacceptable risk level of bicycle / bicycle or bicycle/pedestrian collisions.
From February 23, 2021, Board of Trustees Minutes
“4. Gallagher Path Bid Approval
The Board heard an overview of the project from Trustee Zale. MOTION by Buxar, supported by Zale to approve payment not to exceed $565,000 to All Star Power Excavating, LLC and PEA Group for the construction and engineering services for the Silverbell/Gallagher/PCT Path.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Abbate, Buxar, Elder, Giannangeli, Mabry, Mangiapane, Zale
Nays: None Absent: None
Motion carried 7/0.”
I find no record of review by Planning Commission.
Visit the Gallagher Road path to see this in person. That is why AASHTO recommends ten feet. (See section 16-338 of our ordinance)
Enforcing a 10-foot width requirement may require you to revisit your unspoken “ban” on using your powers of eminent domain to construct paths with a safe width.
This is a timely issue as SPTC is in the planning stages for a narrow six-foot-wide path down Snell Rd. from Rochester to Stony Creek Metropark.
Does our Oakland Township Library Board Want to Start it’s Own Library?
Yesterday a resident asked me if the Library Board is seriously considering starting our own library and abandoning our contract with RHPL. I would say the answer is “no, not really.” But they are somewhat upset with our “taxation without representation” contract. Today I encountered Dr. Henry Carels, Oakland Township Library Board member in Township parking lot, who gave me his views. This led me to watch the tape of the February 15, 2024 meeting, which I had not viewed previously.
Library Board Meeting 2/15/2024- Sentinel summary of Agenda E1
There was a 30 minute discussion about the fact that Rochester Hills Public Library Board (membership on which we are excluded by state law even though we pay about $1,000,000 each year) is going down the path of soon asking for a mileage increase. Members, especially Dr. Henry Carels, expressed concern that questions our Library Board posed a few years ago when RHPL Board considered asking for a millage increase (but dropped the request) went unanswered even with two “asks”. Four options for our future library were discussed informally.
Stay in contract with RHPL and do nothing else. No one was sure if we did this and defeated a millage increase in our Township if RHPL would “kick us off the contract”. Possibly they would not, since we are their highest paying customer due to our large property tax assessment per patron.
Work to get state law amended to allow representation on RHPL Board – Carels favors this, Tyler and Parker are skeptical of the possibility of success. (Chairman Tyler tried and failed to get Township Board of Trustees support for this a few years ago.)
Form a District Library (this method is authorized by state law) – Chairman Tyler points out that any millage would go on the ballot at will of the regional library Board. Oakland Township BOT would have no say.
Establish our own library – Kallie pointed out that this would be a very difficult path.
If you want a better understanding, watch the video at link below for Agenda Item E1 (about 30 minutes discussion), especially Dr. Carels opening remarks that the Oakland Township Library Board must represent interests of Oakland Township taxpayers that set off this discussion.
The following is verbatim from February 14, 2024 Rochester Hills Public Library Board minutes. Note our Michael Tyler’s comment at the end. He is chairman of our township library board and can attend but cannot vote. The six voting RHPL board members are all from Rochester Hills, per state law.
B. The board engaged in a discussion regarding future funding needs for the library. Ms.
Morian stated that a complicating factor surrounding a discussion of increased revenue is
the partnership with each contract community. The contracts are worded differently and
operate with different renewal dates. Neither contract provides direction for if/when the
public body (RHPL) increases revenue from the taxing base (Rochester Hills), nor does it
address tiered service levels if a contract community contributes less than the tax base.
She recommended visiting each of the communities for an information-only presentation
of details about necessary capital improvements and corresponding cost-analysis. The
February 2024 RHPL Board Minutes
board did not object to Ms. Morian providing that information and reporting back on the
conversation at a future meeting.
- President Deel stated that an informational brochure that identifies capital
needs and current pain points in the library would be effective in communicating
needs to stakeholders and the public. - Mr. Tyler stated that the public may be more receptive to “sinking fund” style of
millage request with separate accounting budget for the capital expenditures.
Parks Director Mindy Milos-Dale to Retire
Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Director Mindy Milos-Dale will Retire May 31, 2024. After being honored the night before at Board of Trustees Meeting for her 25 years of distinguished service including over $10,000,000 in MNRTF grant awards that added over 1500 acres to our parks system, Ms. Milos-Dale read tearfully her letter of resignation at the Parks and Recreation Meeting last night. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity and gratitude for how well she was treated by Parks Commissioners.
It is of utmost importance to find someone to competently fill her role. None of us truly know how much of what we have in our Parks we would not have without Ms. Milos-Dale’s leadership and management skills. The Commissioners began planning her replacement with legal advice on the process in closed session last night. I have a feeling that any community she retires to will suddenly start receiving MNTRF parks grants. I wish her and her husband a happy retirement.
Oakland Township Sentinel 