HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2021.02.18 - 34171MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #21053 , February 18, 2021
BY: Commissioner Kristen Nelson, Chairperson, Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY NATIVE
PLANTS INITIATIVE
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity because native plants are the
key elements for ecosystem restoration; and
WHEREAS native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved; and
WHEREAS they are the ecological basis upon which life depends. Without them and the insects that co -
evolved with them, local birds cannot survive; and
WHEREAS furthermore, native plants require less water and they can also help with erosion control — their
deep root systems increase the soil's ability to store water. These plants can reduce water runoff, and once
established, many native plants need minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Saving water conserves a
vital limited resource, and saves money too; and
WHEREAS native plants have developed their own defenses against many pests and diseases. Since most
pesticides kill indiscriminately, beneficial insects become secondary targets in the fight against pests.
Reducing or eliminating pesticide or herbicide use lets natural pest control take over and keeps garden
toxins out of our creeks, lakes and watersheds; and
WHEREAS another benefit of growing native plants is prevention of the spread of invasive species; and
WHEREAS native plants assist in reducing carbon pollution and provide vital habitat for various species of
wildlife and essential nectar for pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and
WHEREAS research shows that native wildlife clearly prefers native plants. Native plants provide shelter
and food for wildlife and promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage; and
WHEREAS in a garden environment, native plants do best with some attention and care, but require less
maintenance than many common garden plants; and
WHEREAS unfortunately, many of the landscaping plants available in nurseries are non-native species
from other countries. These exotic plants not only sever the food chain, but many have become invasive
pests, outcompeting native species and degrading habitat in remaining natural areas; and
WHEREAS the 2020 Oakland County Native Plants Initiative was established through Miscellaneous
Resolution #20191 on June 25, 2020, and appropriated $32,000 to bring awareness to how vital and
beneficial native plants are to our ecosystem; and
WHEREAS on October 16, 2020, in partnership with Oakland County Parks and Recreation, the Native
Plants Initiative hosted the "Native Plant Scatter and Grow" event at the Oakland County Farmers Market,
where over 3,600 plants were distributed through "kits" to residents throughout Oakland County; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Native Plants Initiative program along with the associated expenditures as
approved in MR #20191 and carried forward through MR #20635 (balance of $25,958) will be transferred
to Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to continue to manage the program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
authorizes the re-establishment of the Oakland County Native Plants Initiative program from Board of
Commissioner's to Parks and Recreation to continue to manage and bring awareness to Oakland County
residents on the benefits of native plants to Oakland County and its local ecology, including in the fight
against invasive species.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee will be
the oversight body for this Initiative with a final report being submitted at the conclusion of the program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners FY 2021 General Fund Budget for Special
Projects expenditure line item, in the amount of $25,958.65 for the Oakland County Native Plants Initiative
be transferred to Parks and Recreation Fund (#50800) as follows:
GENERAL FUND (#10100)_ FY2021
Expenditures
5010101-180010-788001-50800 Transfer Out $25,958
5010101-180010-731822 Special Projects 25958
Total Expenditures 0
PARKS AND RECREATION (#50800)
Revenue
5060101-160000-695500-10100
Expenses
5060910-160431-730789
Transfer In $25,958
Total Revenues $25,958
General Program Administration $25,958
Total Expenses $25,958
Chairperson, I move adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Commissioner Kristen Nelson, District #5
Chairperson, Legislative Affairs and Government
Operations Committee
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Kochenderfer voting no.
Resolution #21053
February 18, 2021
Moved by Nelson seconded by Gershenson the resolution be adopted.
Discussion followed.
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Kuhn, Long, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Moss, Nelson, Powell,
Weipert, Woodward, Cavell, Charles, Gershenson, Jackson, Joliat. (16)
NAYS: Kochenderfer, Kowall, Spisz, Hoffman. (4)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
? HEREBYARPF,OVGTHIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUT!VE
ACTING PURSUANTTO MCL 45.558A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners on February 18, 2021, with the original record thereof now
remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit
Court at Pontiac, Michigan this 18th day of February 2021.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County