Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2024.07.18 - 41358 AGENDA ITEM: Transferring Management Responsibility for Vanguard Drive Property to Oakland County Parks DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation MEETING: Board of Commissioners DATE: Thursday, July 18, 2024 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda ITEM SUMMARY SHEET COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD Resolution #2024-4254 Motion to authorize the transfer of management responsibilities for the Property described in Attachment A to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to operate and maintain for public recreational purposes as Bicentennial Oaks County Park; further, that the Department of Facilities Management shall have the ability to utilize the land described in Attachment B to access and store compost and shall maintain and manage the land described in Attachment B. ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY Resolution Brendan Johnson INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Oakland County owns 105.26 acres located south of the County Service Center (Courthouse) and north of Vanguard Drive, which property is described and depicted in Attachment A “(Property”). The Department of Facilities Management desires to transfer this property for the purpose of utilizing the property for public recreation and preservation of green space. The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has approved acceptance of management responsibilities for the Property as the future home of Bicentennial Oaks County Park in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Oakland County, which was celebrated in the year 2020. The resolution authorizes the transfer of management responsibilities for 105.26 acres of county- owned property located to the south of the County Service Center (Courthouse) and north of Vanguard Drive from Facilities Management to Oakland County Parks. The County Executive’s office has indicated their support of this action for the purposes of retaining undeveloped green space, preserving wetlands, and enhancing public recreational opportunities. A small portion of the site is utilized by Facilities Management to store mulch and will remain available for this purpose. Oakland County Parks' preliminary plans for the park are to develop pedestrian trails and a disc golf course. The initial capital expenditures associated with these projects will be funded by ARPA Healthy Communities Plan dollars budgeted for Waterford Oaks County Park. The park will be managed utilizing shared staffing, equipment, and resources with Waterford and Pontiac Oaks County Parks. POLICY ANALYSIS This request is to authorize the transfer of property management responsibility of 105.26 acres, which is located just south of the County Courthouse, from the Department of Facilities Management to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. This property was conveyed to Oakland County by the State of Michigan in 1998 through HR Bill 6033 (Public Act 492) to be used for public purposes. A large part of the property has remained undeveloped. Historically, the Clinton Valley Center was located on a portion of this property until it was removed in 2000. Oakland County Parks plans to use the property to develop a new park with trailways and a regional-scale disc golf course, although final plans would be decided by obtaining feedback through public engagement and surveys. There may also be opportunities for pedestrian connectivity to area Pontiac neighborhoods. The new park would be named Bicentennial Oaks to commemorate the County's 200th year milestone in 2020. The Bicentennial Park is anticipated to be open in 2026. Initial capital development projects for Bicentennial Oaks would be funded by utilizing a portion of the funds budgeted for Waterford Oaks through the Healthy Communities American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Plan. Maintenance and operations of the park would be managed with shared resources among Waterford Oaks, Pontiac Oaks and the Farmers Market. Costs will likely be within the $50,000-$100,000 range and incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. There is no budget amendment needed at this time. BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No Committee members can contact Michael Andrews, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at 248.425.5572 or andrewsmb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional information. CONTACT Chris Ward, Director Parks & Recreation ITEM REVIEW TRACKING Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 7/19/2024 AGENDA DEADLINE: 07/18/2024 6:00 PM ATTACHMENTS 1. BOCVanguardMemo 2. VANGUARDATTACHMENTA 3. VANGUARDATTACHMENTB COMMITTEE TRACKING 2024-07-09 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board 2024-07-18 Full Board - Adopt Motioned by: Commissioner Christine Long Seconded by: Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson, Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ajay Raman, Ann Erickson Gault, Linnie Taylor (19) No: None (0) Abstain: None (0) Absent: (0) Passed 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328 248-858-0906 OaklandCountyParks.com Memo To: Members of the Board of Commissioners From: Chris Ward, Director, Parks and Recreation Commission Date: June 21, 2024 Re: Bicentennial Oaks/Transfer of Management Responsibility of County-Owned Property Oakland County is the property owner of 105.25 acres located to the south of County Service Center (Courthouse) and north of Vanguard Drive. The County Executive’s office has indicated their support of transferring management responsibilities for this area to Oakland County Parks with the intention that it be utilized for public recreation and preservation of green space. The Parks and Recreation Commission has agreed to accept this responsibility and is seeking your permission to proceed. A significant portion of the property has remained undeveloped or dedicated to agricultural uses since it was first purchased by Oliver Parker, one of the earliest settlers of the area. The western portion remained a farmstead until the 1930’s. The eastern portion served as part of the campus of the Eastern Michigan State Asylum (later renamed Pontiac State Hospital and the Clinton Valley Center). According to the analysis of the legislation that provided for the land to Oakland County, “many acres of the property are covered by pristine woods…. Food was produced from crops and orchards grown on the site and by raising prize-winning cattle.” The state hospital was closed in 1997 and the structures were removed in 2000. Many artifacts and remains of the former buildings can be found throughout the grounds. There is evidence that a local off-road vehicle sports organization is currently utilizing the property for unauthorized and unsanctioned activities. Conceptually, Oakland County Parks will likely focus on developing trailways to provide county employees and guests an opportunity to enjoy nature, create a regional scale disc golf course, and provide historical interpretation services. Final plans will be developed utilizing feedback from the public through surveys and engagement sessions. In the long term, the availability of county owned drain property along the eastern boundary along the railroad tracks could provide new opportunities for pedestrian connectivity to area Pontiac neighborhoods. The Parks Commission plan to name the new park “Bicentennial Oaks” in recognition of the county’s milestone 200th year in 2020. The celebrations and activities planned for county’s bicentennial at that time were set aside due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Initial capital development projects associated with Bicentennial Oaks will be funded utilizing a portion of the funds budgeted for Waterford Oaks within the Healthy Communities (ARPA) Plan. The operations and maintenance of the park will be managed with shared resources among Waterford Oaks, Pontiac Oaks and the Farmers Market. These costs will likely be within the $50-100k range and will be incorporated into the FY26 budget in conjunction with the planned opening of the park. TE L E G R A P H R O A D VANGUARD DRIVE CO U N T Y C E N T E R D R I V E C O U N T Y C E N T E R D R I V E D D 14-19-301-003 PARCEL B PARCEL A Proposed Boundary 1 of 2 SCALE: Part of Section 19 T. 3N, R. 10E City of Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan Know what's below Call before you dig. R Oakland County Parks & Recreation 2800 Watkins Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328 Attn: Darryn Horvath Phone: 248.877.6983 Email: horvathd@oakgov.com Oakland County Parks & Recreation SEAL 05-30-2024 PROJECT CLIENT PROJECT LOCATION SHEET DATE ISSUED/REVISED DRAWN BY: DESIGNED BY: APPROVED BY: DATE: NF civil Engineers Land Surveyors Land Planners ENGINEERS sheet no. L593-01 NFE JOB NO. NOWAK & FRAUS ENGINEERS 46777 Woodward Ave. Pontiac, MI 48342-5032 Tel. (248) 332-7931 Fax. (248) 332-8257 WWW.NFE-ENGR.COM 00-00-00 REVISED PER NF N Site Location Map 1" = 150' 050100 50 100 150 NF N O. Tamimi - K. Navaroli ATTACHMENT A © 2024 Microsoft Corporation © 2024 Maxar ©CNES (2024) Distribution Airbus DS TE L E G R A P H R O A D VANGUARD DRIVE CO U N T Y C E N T E R D R I V E C O U N T Y C E N T E R D R I V E D D 14-19-301-003 PARCEL B PARCEL A 1" = 150' 050100 50 100 150 NF N O. Tamimi - K. Navaroli Proposed Boundary 1 of 2 SCALE: Part of Section 19 T. 3N, R. 10E City of Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan Know what's below Call before you dig. R Oakland County Parks & Recreation 2800 Watkins Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328 Attn: Darryn Horvath Phone: 248.877.6983 Email: horvathd@oakgov.com Oakland County Parks & Recreation SEAL 05-30-2024 PROJECT CLIENT PROJECT LOCATION SHEET DATE ISSUED/REVISED DRAWN BY: DESIGNED BY: APPROVED BY: DATE: NF civil Engineers Land Surveyors Land Planners ENGINEERS sheet no. L593-01 NFE JOB NO. NOWAK & FRAUS ENGINEERS 46777 Woodward Ave. Pontiac, MI 48342-5032 Tel. (248) 332-7931 Fax. (248) 332-8257 WWW.NFE-ENGR.COM 00-00-00 REVISED PER NF N Site Location Map Tax Descriptions Proposed Descriptions 2 of 2 SCALE: Part of Section 19 T. 3N, R. 10E City of Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan Know what's below Call before you dig. R Oakland County Parks & Recreation 2800 Watkins Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328 Attn: Darryn Horvath Phone: 248.877.6983 Email: horvathd@oakgov.com Oakland County Parks & Recreation SEAL 05-30-2024 PROJECT CLIENT PROJECT LOCATION SHEET DATE ISSUED/REVISED DRAWN BY: DESIGNED BY: APPROVED BY: DATE: NF civil Engineers Land Surveyors Land Planners ENGINEERS sheet no. L593-01 NFE JOB NO. NOWAK & FRAUS ENGINEERS 46777 Woodward Ave. Pontiac, MI 48342-5032 Tel. (248) 332-7931 Fax. (248) 332-8257 WWW.NFE-ENGR.COM 00-00-00 REVISED PER NTS O. Tamimi - K. Navaroli LEGAL DESCRIPTION LEGAL DESCRIPTION LEGAL DESCRIPTION LEGAL DESCRIPTION LEGAL DESCRIPTION “ ” ATTACHMENT B