HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2025.05.22 - 42134
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization to Proceed with Preliminary Planning to Locate County Facilities at
the Bicentennial Oaks Park Site
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, May 22, 2025 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2025-5175 _ 25-15
Motion to adopt the attached suggested resolution.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Resolution Brendan Johnson
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The Board of Commissioners, pursuant to Miscellaneous Resolution 2024-4254, transferred
maintenance responsibility of 105.26 acres of property located south of the main campus and jail,
also known as Bicentennial Oaks Park, to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
for the purpose of developing passive public recreational facilities while retaining green spaces and
natural features on the site. Oakland County Parks is responsible for the operation and
management of the Oakland County Farmers Market.
Oakland County Parks has been awarded a United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development for an Economic Development Initiative Community Project program grant in the
amount of $2,269,000 for the Oakland County Farmer's Market Modernization and Improvement
Project. Planning for the project has presented an opportunity to evaluate the potential advantages
of relocating the market to an alternate site.
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is requesting that the Board approve the
addition of a farmers market and associated facilities as an authorized use at the Bicentennial Oaks
Park site following an evaluation of potential market locations in preparation for a major market
modernization and improvement project. The Bicentennial site has strong support from market
vendors and would be beneficial for multiple reasons, including: maintaining continuity of business
operations during construction; increased space for parking and traffic flow; expanded vendor space
and programming; and improved overall market visibility.
POLICY ANALYSIS
REQUEST
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is requesting that the Board of
Commissioners approve the development and relocation of the Farmers' Market at the Bicentennial
Oaks Park site utilizing the HUD grant funds that were accepted in December of 2023 for the
Farmers' Market Renovation/Improvement Project. The current location has limitations in space for
parking and for market vendors, which has been challenging. This new location would help with
those challenges and also provide better visibility and access for the public.
HISTORY
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved a grant agreement between the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the County of Oakland to accept a
grant in the amount of $2,269,000 pursuant to MR # 2023-3553 for the Oakland County Farmers'
Market Modernization and Improvement Project, to improve the existing market located in
Waterford. The cost of the project was estimated at around $4.57 million with the remaining funding
coming from the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Program.
PROPERTY STUDY
An environmental analysis of the Bicentennial Oaks property was completed on October 1, 2024.
Attached is a portion of that study including the conclusions and recommendations.
FUNDING
Since the aforementioned grant funding was awarded for modernizing and improving the farmers'
market at the current location, Oakland County Parks is in contact with HUD, who has been aware
of the potential for a change in location for the farmers' market project. Parks plans to submit
project/compliance paperwork to HUD, to be sure they are in compliance with the grant. None of the
grant funds have been spent at this time, and there is no budget amendment needed since the
funds have already been allocated.
FISCAL IMPACT: No Budget Amendment Needed
Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.821.3065 or winterb@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 - 5/23/2025
David Woodward, Board of Commissioners Approved - 5/23/2025
Walt Herzig, Executive's Office Approved - 6/3/2025
Lisa Brown, Clerk/Register of Deeds Final Approval - 6/3/2025
AGENDA DEADLINE: 05/08/2025 4:30 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2025-05-13 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board
2025-05-22 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by: Commissioner Angela Powell
Seconded by: Commissioner Christine Long
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan
Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela
Powell, Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward
(16)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Michael Gingell, Robert Smiley (2)
Passed
May 22, 2025
RESOLUTION #2025-5175 _ 25-15
Sponsored By: Brendan Johnson
Parks & Recreation - Authorization to Proceed with Preliminary Planning to Locate County
Facilities at the Bicentennial Oaks Park Site
Chair and Members of the Board:
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to Miscellaneous Resolution
2024-4254, transferred maintenance responsibility of 105.26 acres of property, also known as
Bicentennial Oaks Park, to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purpose of
developing passive public recreational facilities while retaining green spaces and natural features on
the site; and
WHEREAS Oakland County Parks is responsible for the operation and management of the Oakland
County Farmers Market; and
WHEREAS Oakland County Parks has been awarded a United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development for an Economic Development Initiative Community Project program grant in the
amount of $2,269,000 for the Oakland County Farmer's Market Modernization and Improvement
Project; and
WHEREAS planning for the project has presented an opportunity to evaluate the potential
advantages of relocating the market to an alternate site; and
WHEREAS relocation of the Farmers Market to the Bicentennial Oaks Park site would allow for
continuity of business operations during construction, increased market visibility, additional space for
improved parking and traffic flow, expanded vendor space and educational and programming space;
and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission requests that the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners amend the list of intended uses for the Bicentennial Oaks Park site
to include the development and operation of a farmers' market and associated facilities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes
the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to proceed with preliminary planning to
develop and operate a farmers' market and associated facilities at the Bicentennial Oaks Park site.
Chair, the following Commissioners are sponsoring the foregoing Resolution: Brendan Johnson.
Date: May 23, 2025
David Woodward, Commissioner
Date: June 03, 2025
Walt Herzig, Chief Deputy County Executive
Date: June 03, 2025
Lisa Brown, County Clerk / Register of Deeds
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2025-05-13 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board
2025-05-22 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by Commissioner Angela Powell seconded by Commissioner Christine Long to adopt the
attached Resolution: Authorization to Proceed with Preliminary Planning to Locate County Facilities at
the Bicentennial Oaks Park Site.
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan Johnson,
Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell,
Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward (16)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Michael Gingell, Robert Smiley (2)
Passed
ATTACHMENTS
1. Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
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 May
22, 2025, 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 on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk / Register of Deeds