This bears watching. This appeared on the Township Website a couple of days ago. It did not get communicated via email to township subscribers. At least I did not get it. That’s why I check the Township website every day for any surprises.
Board of Trustees Sworn In
Tonight November 20, 2024. Left to right, Emily Campbell – New Trustee; John Giannangeli – returning Treasurer; Robin Buxar – returning Supervisor; Dave Mabry – returning Clerk; Jeanne Langlois – returning Trustee; John Casadei- new Trustee; Absent – Jack Elder – returning trustee.
The oath and some information about it can be seen here
Library Board Election Results
Thanks to Jeanne Langlois for alerting me to this.
Collins Road Traffic Safety
At this Tuesday’s Board of Trustee’s meeting, I plan to edit the report at the link below to fit into my alloted 3 minutes at “Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda”.
My report at the link above is based on the Sheriff Dept. report below.
Sheriff Dept. report ” Collins Road Speed Data”
Weekly Summary – October 26-November 2
Posts on Oakland Township Sentinel in the past week
Articles in other news sources this week:
The Record – October 30 issue on-line – https://www.myrecordnewspaper.com/
- Article on Board deliberations on what type of LED bulbs to use now that DTE has phased out mercury bulbs (considering dark skys, traffic safety and health). See also October 22, 2024 Board of trustee minutes and video.
- One legal notice
Rochester Post – October 31
- Article on current library negotiations
New draft minutes and/or videos of Government meetings posted during this past week.
October 22, Board of Trustees, Special Meeting, Mostly Closed
Excerpt from minutes; no video, of course
October 22, Board of Trustees, Regular Meeting
Link to draft minutes
Link to video (2 hours)
https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/908666
Election Commission, October 8, 2024, (4 minutes duration)
Minutes link below; no video.
Historic District Commission, October 16, 2024, (2 hours)
Many topics discussed.
Link to video: https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/907385
Link to draft minutes – https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753096294.pdf
Library Board, October 10, 2024 (36 minutes)
Link to draft minutes- https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753098622.pdf
Link to video – https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/906051
- Selected Kelly firm as new legal counsel for help in future negotiations with RHPL
- Revised budget to accommodate survey and legal fees
- Heard public comment
- Board member Dr. Henry Carels and Board President Mark Gerhard commented
Library Board, October 7, 2024 (2 hours)
- selected firm for survey
- 23 citizen comments
- comments by library board about current contract situation
Link to draft minutes – https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753098622.pdf
Link to video – https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/905043
Meetings coming up next week
Safety Paths and Trails Committee – Wednesday, November 6, Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd., 1st Floor Board room, Collins Road – agenda https://ecode360.com/OA3183/document/753098823.pdf
Rochester Hills Public Library – Per Resident Contribution (via property taxes) by Community (2005-2023)
The data sources:
Contribution for each of three communities from annual audited financial reports of RHPL
Population
- 2010 and 2020 – U.S. Census
- Other years – nielsberg.com
Complete data used to make this graph in the excel spreadsheet at link below. Also has details of revenue and expenses.
Contrast these facts with this incorrect information provided in August 8, 2024 approved Library Board minutes. These minutes say on page 3, paragraph 3 referring to a Library Board Member.
“She stated that the higher value of Oakland Township homes
results in hundreds of dollars more per resident paying for library services.”
Link to 8/8/24 minutes.
Getting Voting Representation on Rochester Hills Public Library Board
If we want voting representation on Rochester Hills Public Library Board, we must convince our legislators to revise the Michigan State Law titled Act 164 of 1877. Rochester Hills Public Library Board cannot legally allow it under current law even though in 2018 they wanted to.
Note that this “old law”, as some have characterized it, has been amended at least 15 times since 1877, most recently in 2014.
Our Library Board under leadership of former President Michael Tyler (resigned August 2024) has attempted to get this law changed. They first approached our state legislators. Legislators were uninterested to the point they did not respond to several emails, snail mails, and hand delivered messages on this topic. Our Library Board then sought support from our Township Board of Trustees; asking them to approve a resolution supporting the Library Board’s position and forwarding it to legislators.
President Tyler presented the Library Board’s case to our Board of Trustees at their October 23, 2018 meeting. Our Township Board declined to take action. See their minimal minutes below.
You should view the 30 minute discussion (1:56 to 2:27) including three public comments on the meeting video at agenda 7/5 at this link: BOT – 10/23/18 – October 23, 2018. I urge you to watch this if you have any interest in this topic.
My terse summary of Board and public comments follows.
Trustee Frank Ferriolo felt is was unnecessary to have a seat on RHPL Board as there were no problems and we have great power as a customer of RHPL. There are other options if we don’t like RHPL in the future such as Lake Orion library. He very strongly objected to the phrase “taxation without representation”.
Trustee Robin Buxar essentially supported Ferriolo
Treasurer Jeanne Langlois said the Library Board is fully authorized to request changes in legislation and saw possible confusion with the proposed arrangement.
Trustee Lana Mangiapane supported President Tyler’s request.
Supervisor Michael Bailey, Clerk Karen Reilly and Trustee John Giannangeli did not comment.
Three citizens who spoke all supported Mr. Tyler’s request
Henry Carels (also Library Board member)
Reg Brown – frequent library user
John Markel – follows the Board closely and comments often
Proposed 2025 Oakland Township Budget Available, Comments from you are invited at Board 11/12/24 Meeting or before.
The proposed 2025 budget for use in the legally required public hearing is posted on the Township website at this link.
Or go to the bottom of the home page and click on the “Township Financials” picture to see this and also lots of past years’ budgets and audit reports.
I think Steve will be interested. Yes I mean you, Steve.
I have not found time to review it.
I’ve also thought a gigantic excel workbook with 20-25 years of history in categories of interest would be useful in seeing trends, up, down or steady. I’ve found time to do that. Maybe someone will volunteer to start the Budget Committee of Oakland Township Citizens Advisory Board and put all this data in a form they think is useful. Usually no one comments at the public hearing and the board unanimously approves it immediately after the hearing.
There is no reason you can’t comment to the Board before the meeting by email.
Go to the Board of Trustees page (shown below) and click on:
“Please Click here to email the entire Board of Trustees”
Oakland Township Sentinel 