HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2026.02.19 - 42723
AGENDA ITEM: Transfer of Real Property Interests from Oakland County to Local Municipalities
DEPARTMENT: Water Resources Commissioner
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, February 19, 2026 9:30 AM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2026-6148
Motion to authorize the release and conveyance of title to real property interests held by Oakland
County related to municipal water and/or sanitary sewer systems to the cities, villages, and
townships within the County as all indebtedness, secured by the County, has been paid in full;
further, authorize the Chair of the Board of Commissioners to execute Quit Claim Deeds in favor of
each municipality and to execute any other documents necessary to effectuate these transfers.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Real Estate Yolanda Smith Charles
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
It is Oakland County policy to hold legal title to real property interests associated with the
construction of various municipal water supply systems and sanitary sewer systems until the
outstanding debt or other indebtedness with respect to the finance, design or construction of such
systems, held by the County, are paid in full. These real property interests primarily consist of
easements, rights of way, transmissions mains, distribution laterals, and appurtenances necessary
for the transportation and distribution of potable water, as well as the sewer system mains, laterals
and related equipment, facilities and improvements, excluding leads and Oakland County
interceptor systems.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Approval of this request would grant the Chair of the Board of Commissioners blanket authority to
execute quit claim deeds for any community in which the County retains an interest in real property.
Once the bonds are paid, WRC is requesting authorization for the Chair to sign any future quitclaim
deeds presented to transfer easements and rights-of-way.
This is necessary because many municipalities have paid their debts but title remains with the
County. Retaining title after debt satisfaction creates operational and administrative challenges,
causing unnecessary delays to municipal projects and access. This action would streamline the
transfer of easements and rights-of-way once bonds are paid, reducing administrative delays.
A list of specific municipalities and properties is not available at this time.
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
Kelsey Cooke, WRC Manager and Chief Legal Officer
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 2/19/2026
AGENDA DEADLINE: 02/05/2026 4:30 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-02-11 EDI Memo for Global Transfer of Assets
2. 2026-02-11 Water and Sanitary Transfer QCD Template
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2026-02-11 Economic Development & Infrastructure - Recommend to Board
2026-02-19 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by: Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles
Seconded by: Commissioner Linnie Taylor
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan
Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen
Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Yolanda Smith Charles, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert,
David Woodward (17)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Michael Spisz (1)
Passed
Form DC–001
OAKLAND COUNTY WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER
Page 1 of 1 Rev.: 02/12/2018
OAKLAND COUNTY
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER MEMORANDUM
TO: Yolanda Smith Charles, Chairperson, Economic Development
and Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Kelsey Cooke, Manager and Chief Legal Officer
SUBJECT: Transfer of Real Property Interests from Oakland County to Various Municipalities
DATE: February 11, 2026
It is Oakland County’s policy to hold legal title to real property interests used to secure loans for the financing,
design, and construction of municipal water supply and sanitary sewer systems until all related debt and other
indebtedness has been fully satisfied.
These real property interests generally include easements, rights of way, transmission mains, distribution
laterals, and related appurtenances necessary for the transportation and distribution of potable water, as well
as sanitary sewer mains, laterals, and associated equipment, facilities, and improvements. This policy does not
apply to service leads or Oakland County interceptor systems.
The proposed change is substantive and should not be viewed as a mere “housekeeping” matter. In numerous
instances, municipalities have fully satisfied their financial obligations, yet legal title to their real property
interests remains vested in Oakland County. This disconnect can create significant and unnecessary
operational challenges. For example, a construction contractor seeking access to a municipal facility may be
unable to proceed because the municipality lacks clear legal authority to grant access while title remains with
the County. Addressing this issue will reduce administrative inefficiencies and prevent avoidable delays in
municipal operations and infrastructure projects.
Requested Committee Action:
1. Authorize the release and conveyance of Oakland County’s real property interests
associated with municipal water and/or sanitary sewer systems to the respective cities,
villages, and townships within the County, where all County-secured indebtedness has
been fully satisfied; and
2. Authorize the Chairperson to execute Quit Claim Deeds in favor of each municipality
and to execute any other documents necessary to effectuate these transfers.
Presenter: Kelsey Cooke, 248-296-1406 cookek@oakgov.com
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QUIT CLAIM CONVEYANCE OF EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF WAY
FOR WATER SUPPLY SYTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS
THE COUNTY OF OAKLAND, a Michigan Constitutional Corporation,
whose address is 1200 North Telegraph, Pontiac, Michigan 48341, Grantor, for
and in consideration of the sum of ONE DOLLAR AND 00/CENTS ($1.00)
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, paid to them by the
, a Michigan Municipal Corporation, Grantee,
whose address is , , Michigan
, Grantor hereby conveys and quit claims to Grantee(s) all rights, title and
interests Grantor may posses, but only to the extent of its interest, including any
adverse possessory interest which may ripen in the future into full possessory
interest including fee simple property, easements and rights of way, and the water
supply system, sanitary sewer system, laterals and related equipment, facilities and
improvements therein, excluding leads, located within fee simple property,
easement and/or right of way areas described and incorporated in Attachments
“A” and “B.”
Grantor convey to Grantee(s) all fee simple property, easements and rights
of way, water supply system and sanitary sewer system improvements, including
the right to construct, operate, maintain, repair and/or replace a water supply
system or sanitary sewer system across and through the following described lands
situated in the , Oakland County, Michigan. The
conveyance of the system(s) and improvements is “as-is” and Grantor make no
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warranties as to the condition or fitness for a purpose, said warranties being
expressly disclaimed.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS:
SEE ATTACHMENT “A”
Grantee(s) agrees to and acknowledges that it shall be responsible for all
restrictions and conditions as set forth in the fee simple property, easements and
rights of way set forth in Attachments “A” and “B.”
This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto, their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto affixed their
signature(s) on the dates indicated below.
COUNTY OF OAKLAND,
a Michigan Constitutional Corporation
By: ____________________________
David T. Woodward
Its: Chairperson
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF MICHIGAN )
) ss.
COUNTY OF OAKLAND )
On this ________ day of _______________________, 2026, before me, a
Notary Public, personally appeared David T. Woodward, to me personally
known, who being by me severally duly sworn that he is the Chairperson of the
Board of Commissioners of the COUNTY OF OAKLAND, a Michigan
Constitutional Corporation, a corporation created and existing under the laws of
the State of Michigan, and that the said Quit Claim Conveyance was signed and
sealed in behalf of said corporation by authority of its Board of Commissioners
pursuant to Miscellaneous Resolution No. and the Chairperson
acknowledged the instrument to be the free act and deed of the Corporation.
, Notary Public
State of Michigan, County of Oakland
Acting in the County of Oakland
My Commission Expires: ___________
This instrument drafted by:
Jeffrey S. Parrott, Supervisor Right of Way
Office of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
One Public Works Drive
Bldg. 95 West
Waterford, Michigan 48328-1907
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ATTACHMENT “A”
QUIT CLAIM DEED TO
SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
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ATTACHMENT “B”
QUIT CLAIM DEED TO
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM