[0:36] Please, microphone, to open

[0:47] the up board of trustees meeting for January 27th. Please stand for the

[0:56] I have pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands for the nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:10] The

[1:13] roll call,

[1:18] Steve Campbell, present, Trustee Cassidy.

[1:21] Here.

[1:22] Trustee Elder.

[1:23] Here.

[1:24] Trustee Jean-Gyly.

[1:25] Present.

[1:26] Trustee Langeoyce.

[1:27] Present.

[1:27] Or Gryly present.

[1:29] Supervisor Bucksar, it's not here.

[1:34] Do we want to make a motion to point a chair?

[1:45] Like I made, motion to point Trustee Langeoyce.

[1:50] the act is chairperson.

[1:52] No second.

[1:56] All in favor of what the motion is to put twisty language as chair, all in favor.

[2:07] Aye.

[2:08] Aye.

[2:09] Okay.

[2:10] Thank you.

[2:11] Next item on our agenda is announcements and proclamations.

[2:16] I do not have any announcements or proclamations.

[2:18] Does anyone else have an announcement or a proclamation?

[2:22] then we will move on. Is there a motion to either amend the agenda or approve it as presented?

[2:29] I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda as presented, support.

[2:34] We have a motion by G. Anjali supported by Cassidy to approve the agenda as presented.

[2:40] All those in favor, please say aye.

[2:42] Aye.

[2:43] Opposed? Motion carried.

[2:45] Next item is for public comment, for items not on the agenda, we welcome public comment.

[2:51] at every meeting. Our first round of public comment is for items not on the agenda.

[2:57] If you would like to comment, please step to the podium, state your name.

[3:02] You have three minutes, please address your comments to the chair.

[3:07] If you have questions, we have a much more effective process to handle that than this meeting.

[3:13] If you have questions, feel free to address them by phone or email to our township manager

[3:19] or the board at any time, and that's the best way to get answers.

[3:25] Having said that, is there any public comment for items not on the agenda?

[3:33] Seeing none, we shall move on.

[3:35] We have the consent agenda.

[3:38] First approval of the bills, January 27th, 2026 invoices in the amount of $833,348 and 52 cents.

[3:52] Payroll via ACH, Payroll for January 16th, 2026 in the amount of $155,665.55 and January 21st, 2026 in the amount of $7,399.54.

[4:11] Approval of minutes for a January 13th, 2026 special meeting and a January 13th, 2026 regular meeting.

[4:20] And also, they request by the Wingate Subdivision to conduct its annual fireworks display.

[4:28] Do I have a motion regarding the consent agenda?

[4:31] It's like a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.

[4:36] Is there a second?

[4:37] Second.

[4:38] Motion by Cassidy, seconded by Elder.

[4:42] To approve the consent agenda, all in favor, please say aye.

[4:46] Aye.

[4:47] Opposed?

[4:48] Motion carries.

[4:49] Our first item under pending business is discussion of the proposal from the Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township to create an event space at the site.

[5:00] I assume we have a representative here to give us more information, Mr. Reese, welcome.

[5:07] Thank you very much for putting us on the agenda tonight.

[5:11] As you introduce me, I'm Tim Reese, I'm one of the board of directors for the Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township.

[5:15] I'm with me here tonight or two of my co-members, Mr. Ben Hockenberry and Mr. Terry Gonser.

[5:22] And I'll be brief, we just have a few slides if anybody wants to.

[5:25] Well, look at them, and maybe they're in your packet slate, but I don't know.

[5:30] The purpose, if you go to the next slide, the purpose of us being here tonight is to discard

[5:35] a discussion with you about the feasibility and the desirability of creating what we're

[5:40] calling the VOT of annex on the property that is immediately south of the land where the tribute stands today.

[5:48] It has four elements that I'll show briefly in a second on from overhead shots, so you can see them.

[5:55] And that if we would like to lease that property and add it to the property, we currently lease from the township that the tribute is on.

[6:01] And the reason we want to do it, if I'm really to increase the visitation at the site by school groups to use it as an educational field trip location.

[6:09] And we would, as I mentioned, look something similar to the terms we have currently for the piece of land that the tribute sits on.

[6:16] And we have identified a couple of donors that are interested in potentially funding this thing if we can bring it to fruition.

[6:26] Just one quick update on the status of our organization.

[6:29] Next slide, please.

[6:29] We have explained that our Board of Directors in recent years, you can see the old names and the new names are towards the bottom of the chart with a couple of younger folks and new folks to the neighborhood to give us a little more ability to do things better.

[6:44] The seven of us that were in the original board some 10 years ago was 10 years in May of 16 by the way that we were born or getting a little, we're getting a little tired so we brought in some fresh faces.

[6:55] Next slide please.

[6:56] I mean, just an update on where we are today, you know, the physical buildout of the site is 95% complete.

[7:02] The only thing that we don't have there yet is a space force monument for the new branch of the armed services.

[7:07] And we have some ideas on that, but that's in the future for us.

[7:13] You know, we've been maintaining it since 2018 when it was built and doing public ceremonies and events there ever since.

[7:18] I know a lot of you have been to some of those, and we always welcome your attendance.

[7:22] Our financial status, we're in great shape, we have two funds, one is a working fund that we maintain to take care of operations during the year, landscaping is our biggest cost, insurance is probably our second biggest cost, and we have several years of working funds banked.

[7:41] We also have a permanent endowment that's managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester.

[7:47] It too has multiple years of operating costs and the purpose of that endowment is to get to the point some day

[7:54] Where it generates enough income that we don't need to do any fundraising at all

[7:58] So that the site can be maintained in perpetuity

[8:02] If things were to change and we we were granted just one tidbit

[8:06] We were granted 501c3 status by the IRS in 2023 so we can also raise funds in our own name as well as through the community foundation

[8:17] Okay, so on to the purpose of tonight.

[8:18] This is a picture of what's at the tribute today.

[8:21] You can see it there just to the west of Adam's road,

[8:24] just to the north of Tribute Creek Road

[8:26] to the Tribute Creek apartment complex

[8:29] or condo complex behind it.

[8:32] The parking lot in the middle is the most prominent reason.

[8:35] You can see all the other things.

[8:36] The most recent new thing there is the entrance sign on the corner.

[8:40] It was formerly an aircraft landing sign.

[8:42] As some of you remember when it first went in

[8:44] and we toned down the light a little bit.

[8:46] So I didn't bother anything.

[8:48] And we have completed all the historical markers around the traffic circle in what we call the educational circle.

[8:54] So we're pretty happy with what has been put in place there.

[9:00] Sorry, was a question?

[9:02] Okay, next slide, please.

[9:03] What we have in mind, the piece of property we're talking about was on the left hand side of this slide in white.

[9:11] It's just a picture we took out of the original land.

[9:14] And I think it was a donation that came from the Missouri companies during that consent

[9:18] agreement period some years ago.

[9:21] And it is just immediately south of Tribute Creek Drive, just immediately west of Adams

[9:26] Road.

[9:27] It's currently an open grassy field and then there's some trees and then it fades into the

[9:31] low ground by Gallagher Creek as it moves south there.

[9:36] And on the right side, we blew that up a little bit so you can see the piece that we think,

[9:40] And just be careful here, think hope, believe is usable for some site improvements.

[9:46] We know there's going to be some restrictions due to the terrain, due to the water,

[9:51] the clothes behind it, et cetera.

[9:53] So this is just a rough estimate on our part of the piece that we think we could do

[9:58] something with to enhance the tribute.

[10:02] Okay, next item.

[10:03] But what we're thinking about doing, if it's feasible again, is putting in some sort

[10:08] of a covered pavilion with some picnic benches under it where people

[10:11] where groups can sit and get organized and count heads and that sort of thing when they arrive from school before they walk across the walkway into the tribute itself.

[10:23] Because the current tribute layout doesn't lend itself real well to school groups or to school buses, it's a rather tight move inside the current parking area.

[10:32] We need obviously, therefore, an area for buses to pull in and out or vans to pull in and out to drop off students.

[10:39] We can also use that for better access for people with mobility handicaps and disabled folks.

[10:46] And also for vendors, as we host public events, you've been to them.

[10:49] There's always unloading and loading going on for food vendors and drink vendors.

[10:53] So we need a little more space and we think that's another use for this area.

[10:58] And then the last item on there, having raised kids, like probably all of us in here do,

[11:03] you can't go anywhere with kids unless they've got a bathroom.

[11:05] So, we would like to investigate what kind of restroom facility could go there that would let school groups have that if they needed it when kids are on site for an hour or so.

[11:17] We don't have a sketch deliberately because we didn't want to presuppose anything about what would go where and how exactly the layout would be.

[11:25] It's a pretty constricted area, we realize that.

[11:27] And we know that we'd have to sit down and do our homework and go through the planning process like we did back in 2016 and get approval from all the boards here and from the Board of Trustees.

[11:39] So again, tonight our purpose was just to throw this idea out there and see if one, you think it's a good thing for the township to us to pursue because if you don't, we'll just drop the idea.

[11:49] And then if you do think it is a good idea to get your okay to start meeting formally, I guess you would say,

[11:56] and figure out the process and start talking to the right people about what that piece of land can be used for and what it can't be used for.

[12:04] And that's some of our presentation, so I welcome your next slide, any discussion or questions?

[12:10] So I'll start with, does anyone have questions for Mr. Reese or the other representatives here tonight?

[12:20] First of all, I think what the tribute has done is fantastic, it looks great, and I think it's a great addition to the township.

[12:30] Do you have a question for you?

[12:31] You mentioned buses and that is the intent to initially kind of turn that you'll head into a parking lot or just an area to drop, pull buses and what's-

[12:44] It's a very good question.

[12:45] We think, again, not without having done all of our homework, that it would be an unload

[12:49] spot and a pickup spot.

[12:51] And the buses would probably then proceed and park either in the Oakland Church parking lot.

[12:56] We have a relationship with them that they allow us to use, and they're back a lot for that

[12:59] purpose.

[13:00] Or they might even park up in the Cougar Commons parking lot.

[13:03] But then come into that sort of a pull out or a turnaround or some kind of a space where

[13:08] they would load the kids and pick up the kids.

[13:10] We don't see it having to, just physically, not in a room to park, you know, four or five buses there or something.

[13:17] Okay.

[13:18] And we have to figure that out after a few.

[13:20] Okay.

[13:21] And you mentioned restrooms.

[13:23] Are you thinking of permanent or just ported parties?

[13:28] What's...

[13:28] Something better than a ported party.

[13:31] Why something that doesn't have plumbing and light and all that sort of thing.

[13:35] We have to investigate the options.

[13:37] I don't...

[13:37] We read ported parties for our events, you know, we've been under 12 of them, but, you know, how they look and how they get after a while.

[13:43] And we also don't want it to be open all the time, because we know people will use them.

[13:47] You know, we've experienced trash at our site just like everybody with a public space does.

[13:51] So we want something that can be locked and only unlocked by the group that's using it on a particular day.

[13:58] Thank you.

[14:00] Anyone else?

[14:01] I have a question. Do you know the size, the approximate size of the parcel that you're contemplating?

[14:09] Joe, I think it was 2.57 acres. Something like that. Don Mendy sent me a map of it.

[14:15] It was like 2.57 or 2.75 total, and not all of it is usable because of that Gallagher Creek lowland area.

[14:23] So your net?

[14:24] Your head is about five acres for reference.

[14:25] Okay, so you're not sure yet what, even how much space you might be able to effectively put to use.

[14:34] We are not, no.

[14:35] Okay. Other questions for Mr. Reese?

[14:39] Is it, is it Township Property or is it?

[14:42] It is owned by the Township, no.

[14:47] Other questions, okay, I don't think this needs emotion because I'm not sure how emotion would look.

[14:57] do we just want to get

[15:03] Does anyone have any objections to seeing this idea develop more? Because that's really all you're asking. Are we receptive to the notion of entertaining putting that additional space to use if every other consideration proves manageable?

[15:31] I think it would be a great addition to the township quite frankly.

[15:35] So I certainly in support of, now we'd have to see a little bit more detail exactly what you're planning to do.

[15:43] But I'm supportive of it, I think it would be a great addition expansion of the tribute site that they already have.

[15:51] And you are a little bit landlocked for your ad, and so I think this would hopefully leave it in some of that.

[15:57] Okay, so I think it'll be a good addition.

[16:00] I think it'll be wonderful.

[16:02] I mean, the site right now is beautiful.

[16:05] You have a long and distinguished track record

[16:08] of taking care of it.

[16:09] I'm sure that will continue.

[16:12] You know, there's concerns about how everyone will navigate

[16:15] through it, but that's all part of the process.

[16:18] And I think if all of those can be addressed satisfactorily,

[16:23] it'll be even more wonderful than it is today.

[16:27] So I'm supportive of seeing what it can look like.

[16:32] Okay.

[16:32] I am supportive as well.

[16:34] Thank you.

[16:35] I've enjoyed the tribute many times I've been there.

[16:38] So thank you.

[16:40] So yeah, I'm supportive.

[16:42] I think the biggest issue might be the egressive of the subdivision there.

[16:47] Yeah, that may be the biggest issue.

[16:49] And those are the kinds of questions you've all raised that we don't know the answers to.

[16:53] And we're prepared to spend some money to hire the experts to help us work through those issues.

[17:00] But we didn't want to start doing that unless we thought you all believed it had just you know, it was worth studying.

[17:08] We have to come back.

[17:09] I'm thinking this is a couple year, if not longer, project just to get to the final approval stage if we get there.

[17:16] Any other questions, comments, Trustee Cassidy?

[17:21] You know, the township property itself, it's, you know, it doesn't have many feasible

[17:26] usages, so expanding the veterans tribute, I think makes a lot of sense.

[17:33] You know, I think the tribute's a jewel of the township.

[17:37] It's impeccably maintained, has great leadership, a lot of Oakland township residents on that

[17:44] Board of Directors, I love the educational component of this.

[17:49] The more children you can get out there, the better.

[17:54] So I fully support utilizing it in that way.

[18:01] Well, thank you for your time, ladies and gentlemen.

[18:03] We appreciate it and we will keep you up to date with where we're headed.

[18:07] Thank you.

[18:10] Moving on, we have consideration of approving the 2026

[18:15] FOX Nature Preserve Stewardship Field Work Plan, and Dr. Ben, will you be walking us through this?

[18:30] Good evening and thanks for the opportunity to be here to present this to you this evening.

[18:36] This plan we're presenting tonight is the 2026 Field Work Plan for FOX Nature Preserve, which has already been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Stewardship Committee,

[18:47] and then also the Fox Nature Preserve Stewardship Advisory Committee and both those groups recommended

[18:54] to Don for further consideration by Park Commission and the Board.

[18:59] So we got that approval from the Park Commission at January 9th, so we're bringing it forward

[19:05] to you today for that final approval.

[19:08] So we've been really happy working with the neighbors this last year.

[19:12] We did some ambitious projects, including two prescribed burns, one in an open end and one in the fence, and then also a lot of invasive treatment.

[19:22] A lot of those were huge projects. They had opportunity to make some really big changes on the site and also concerns from residents.

[19:32] So we've been trying to be very sensitive about reaching out ahead of time and addressing those concerns, and then as we work through the process,

[19:39] for these different projects to address concerns as they arise.

[19:43] So we've really tried to take a measured approach even when we're implementing ambitious projects.

[19:50] So we'd like to continue that as we move forward into our work for 2026 to continue to address the

[19:59] environmental restoration that we would like to do out there to continue to beautify the site,

[20:03] not just for the park users, but also for the wildlife defenders and all the other.

[20:09] natural features that we love so much about.

[20:13] So that work includes additional invasive shrub mowing work that was positively received

[20:20] by the residents within the park bear.

[20:23] They enjoyed seeing the landscape open up when we mowed out the north orchard and the

[20:29] south orchard.

[20:30] We'd like to do a follow-up work in those areas and then continue to work on some other

[20:36] dense invasive shrub areas. We'd also like to continue to work on invasive shrub

[20:44] in some of those high-quality natural areas, including the bog that is kind of

[20:49] southeast of the Oakview Middle School, and then the fen complex, which is a

[20:54] special wetland that's around the perimeter of a clam lake. So those are two

[20:58] probably focal areas in that invasive shrub work.

[21:04] Then additional things that I

[21:06] I can highlight there's quite a bit of stuff in here, but also the priority invasive species control continued to work on fragmites, and then also to try to keep making progress on finding a path forward for a placement of that culvert that's failing on the West Branch of Stony Creek.

[21:25] But that would be happy to answer any questions or comments you may have.

[21:30] Any questions for Dr. Ben?

[21:36] If no one has questions, I will entertain a motion if someone would like to make one.

[21:43] I'd make a motion to approve the 2026 Fox Nature Preserves Stewardship Field Work Plan.

[21:50] Zero second.

[21:51] I'll give it to Trustee Campbell.

[21:57] Any comments on the motion?

[21:59] If I may.

[22:01] go ahead. I noticed in here part of that you said tree now are these large

[22:11] amateur trees you're talking about are these what's exactly what kind of you

[22:19] give them the names but I'm not familiar with sure was that you for like the

[22:23] invasive trees. Yes typically small trees are we talking large

[22:29] There's diameter trees, what are we?

[22:33] Yeah, so the ones I think you're referring to, there's the tree of heaven, which we begin to address, which is right on the edge of the driveway.

[22:40] Yeah.

[22:41] As we move on the, for the residents, houses back there.

[22:45] Those ranged in size from small, so that's a clonal tree of this root sucker like crazy.

[22:51] So is everything from pencil size all the way up to one.

[22:54] Frank, that was about two foot diameter.

[22:55] So that was, in that particular case, there was a larger one and that one is a favorite food species for spider lantern fly, so that was a priority for us to remove as the spider lantern fly is starting to move into Michigan.

[23:13] So we didn't want to magnet within the park to draw it in further.

[23:16] So we get to large diameter like that.

[23:21] Is that costly than to remove those trees, or how?

[23:25] Yeah, so fortunately for that project, we actually had all the stuff in house to do that.

[23:32] So we have a checker, we have expertise in treefelling, the signage to make sure that we manage the traffic on the driveway.

[23:39] And then we also were able to work with field technicians from six rivers, land conservancy for the extra manpower.

[23:46] to help Paul brush so we have a contract with them to help in the off season, our own field staff are around.

[23:57] And while you may have not spoken to the residents, you feel you have a good cross-section of residents that aren't favor this then or.

[24:07] Yes, you know we did have a bit of an issue initially.

[24:11] Absolutely. Yeah, so there's a couple things they were initially concerned about. One was that invasive shrub mowing and

[24:20] Astro we actually didn't have that on the plan and ended up adding it because they requested it

[24:25] So that was something that we were happy to move forward with with their support

[24:32] So and then the other thing was some of the other tree work in the park

[24:37] So we've also tried to include them if forever

[24:41] proposing any of that and make sure we take that through an extra round of discussion to make sure

[24:47] they understand what's going to happen and why.

[24:51] Okay.

[24:51] Thank you.

[24:53] So Karen and I were in the meeting subcommittee and residents were there, too.

[24:59] And everybody seemed to be in agreement.

[25:01] This was okay.

[25:02] There was good and everything.

[25:03] There was no dissidents at the meeting.

[25:07] I can't believe they agreed.

[25:08] Yeah, he did a good job explaining it.

[25:11] Even me, since that was my first meeting with them.

[25:16] I feel like the biggest change in the way you're handling this is not so much how you go about it, but how you communicate, how you're going to go about it.

[25:25] So I know it's extra work for you to keep all those interested parties in the loop, but it really seems to be working out well because I think that the better communication has made everyone more supportive.

[25:40] and more trustful of what's going on, so I'm glad we have two representatives from the board as well as the residents in the park and the neighbors who all find out about this ahead of time.

[25:53] It seems like it's really smoothed everything out and it's working more agreeably for everyone.

[26:01] I'm glad to see that.

[26:03] Thank you.

[26:04] Other comments?

[26:08] All right.

[26:09] We have a motion on the floor.

[26:10] All those in favor, please say aye.

[26:12] Aye.

[26:14] Opposed?

[26:15] Motion passes unanimously.

[26:16] Thank you, Dr. Ben, who may be staying right where he's at.

[26:21] Our next item is consideration of approving the proposal from the PEA group for investigation

[26:27] of the claim-like weir at the Fox Nature Preserve.

[26:31] All right.

[26:32] So, as I mentioned, the culvert on the West Branch of Stony Creek within the park there

[26:37] is failing.

[26:39] And we've been looking for funding to complete the replacement of that culvert with a

[26:43] more long-term solution.

[26:45] What we'd like to do is have a full space bridge, which goes completely across the street

[26:50] out impacting the channel itself.

[26:53] That will give it a lot more resilience with future storm events and make it lower maintenance.

[26:59] in a replacement culvert.

[27:03] I think one of the things we're experiencing now in addition to the erosion is also fever.

[27:08] I love that little narrow point that they can plug up so easily.

[27:12] So we'd really like to have a full span print bridge out there.

[27:17] Of course everything is more expensive than we thought it would be.

[27:20] So grant funding has been the route we've been trying to get to to fund that.

[27:26] But what we've learned is that through a couple rounds of grant applications is that replacing

[27:33] that culvert doesn't improve a large enough section of the stream to make it competitive

[27:37] for a lot of the different funding pots.

[27:39] So that's with Michigan DNR's Fisheries Habitat Grant Program, so we've submitted for that

[27:45] twice.

[27:46] The first time we were invited for a full proposal, but never recommended for funding, the second

[27:51] time we didn't even get invited for a full proposal.

[27:54] So the feedback we've gotten is that they would like to see more of this stream improved

[28:00] through some project in the area.

[28:04] So the other thing that was on our, the back of our minds was this we're at the outlet

[28:09] of claim-like.

[28:10] It's ageing, it's already starting to show some structural problems and we'll probably need

[28:16] some attention sooner or later.

[28:19] we're hoping that if we address that proactively as part of a larger project with a culvert

[28:28] that would make it competitive for a good application and basically take care of the two problems

[28:33] at once. So as far as we know, open up quite a bit more stream up into Bob Mountain, it might

[28:42] be a few other impairments on some of the private property, but as far as we would know, it

[28:48] open up, all the way into claim lake, which would be many acres of Lake Habitat, quite

[28:54] a bit of marsh habitat, hopefully make that much more competitive for grant funding.

[29:01] So with that in mind, what we'd like to do is work with PEA group to understand what

[29:08] actually is involved with removing that weir.

[29:12] I think that's something we would have to do anyway, sooner or later, as I mentioned, it's

[29:16] having structural problems already.

[29:18] You want to understand like what is wrong with it

[29:21] and what the potential design solutions would be

[29:24] to replace it in a way that doesn't impact the lake

[29:28] for the residents around the lake.

[29:31] So this is basically just a study to do that.

[29:33] Do diligence to understand what the state would permit,

[29:36] what the residents would be okay with there

[29:41] and then to make sure there's nothing

[29:42] in the title or deed or other legal restrictions

[29:46] as far as changing that outlet.

[29:53] So that's kind of the high level on that.

[29:56] So when we start to get into it, you know, it looks like a little structure.

[30:00] But it threw that out. The engineers, and they're like, whoa, anything like level is a big deal. So, so we thought it wise to make sure we did this due diligence before, you know, enthusiastically, proposing it in the grant proposal.

[30:18] Forgot to squeeze clip. Got a question. Go ahead. Clam Lake dependent on that we're. So the we're was installed as far as we know in like the 1960s or 70s.

[30:32] I think it was the late 60s and it raised the water level probably, this is a

[30:36] guesstimate because this is what the study would find out. It probably raised it

[30:41] about a foot or so and increased the lake surface area by maybe an acre or so

[30:48] total. So you have an aerial showing it before?

[30:54] Yeah, so we have 1940s areas. So it was a lake just a little smaller?

[30:58] Yeah and it's a pretty, I don't know the exact depth, but it's pretty deep lake.

[31:03] So, one of the things that the residents have said is they'd like to make sure that the lake level is maintained and we want to make sure we figured out how to do that too.

[31:14] So, this is basically 15 grand to do the new diligence.

[31:18] Yes.

[31:19] I'm figuring out what-

[31:20] Right.

[31:21] So-

[31:22] That takes you.

[31:23] Right.

[31:24] Yeah.

[31:24] I think there's quite a bit built in there for meetings with both the State of Michigan to

[31:29] understand what they would permit and then also to meet with the residents around the lake

[31:34] to see what design alternatives they would be comfortable with.

[31:41] Other questions for Dr. Ben?

[31:46] Go ahead.

[31:47] Yeah.

[31:47] Yeah,

[31:49] is that similar almost into a damn kind of yeah, so yeah, and my understanding is

[31:58] I don't think I'm living to call themselves now

[32:02] Doesn't want any dams and want them all to torn down

[32:06] So is there a possibility they wouldn't want us to rebuild it or

[32:12] Yes, so that's what we're looking at. They do want. They're like a free-flowing stream. Right

[32:17] So what we are trying to figure out is there a way to somehow slowly step down the level of that stream that allows for

[32:24] You know fish to get up and down

[32:27] Another organisms

[32:29] And still maintain the level of the lake. So whether that's like a series of like rock steps or

[32:35] Something over 50 or under feet or something

[32:40] So that's something that experts would definitely do

[32:44] We try to do that over here for the

[32:47] The mill race, and we proposed, you know, rocks and all that, and I just, I think we probably do have to go ahead with the study at least to find out what that's doable and what's reasonable, what's not feasible.

[33:06] Other

[33:09] questions for Dr. Ben?

[33:13] If not, I would suggest is there a motion to approve the December 5th, 2025 proposal from the PEA group for

[33:22] the investigation of a claim-like weir at the Fox Nature Preserve in an amount not to exceed $15,000?

[33:30] I'll make that motion.

[33:39] Motion by G.

[33:39] Seeing none, public comment, sorry, public comment.

[33:43] I think I skipped that a couple times.

[33:46] Public comment on the motion.

[33:47] Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

[33:50] Aye.

[33:51] Motion carries.

[33:53] Thank you.

[33:54] Moving right along.

[33:57] Consideration of receiving and filing the December 31st, 2025 cash and investment report.

[34:03] Treasure G. Angelie.

[34:06] Yes, you have the report in your package there.

[34:10] What we're seeing is that interest rates have declined since the last report.

[34:15] There have been, I think, two quarter-point reductions by the Fed and most of our investments

[34:21] because they are sort of a term in nature and they have to be.

[34:26] We tied directly what we earn on our interest is tied almost directly to what the Fed does.

[34:31] And so last year, so we're collecting the over 4%, we're at about 3.5% at this point.

[34:40] So, and majority of our funds are with the Michigan class, and they are, that's all short term.

[34:49] I think the short term pay for less than 60 days, so it's very low risk.

[34:53] And so we continue on, we'll see right now, it looks like the Fed's meeting tomorrow.

[35:01] I don't believe that they're going to have a reduction in interest rates.

[35:05] So we'll probably be investing for what matures at roughly 3.5% going forward, at least for the next quarter or so.

[35:14] Any questions from the board,

[35:19] would someone like to make a motion?

[35:22] To receive and file the December 31st, 2025 cash and investment report.

[35:30] Is there a second?

[35:32] Seconded by G.

[35:33] Angeli, most and by elder, seconded by G.

[35:36] Angeli, public comment for the motion on the floor, any other comment?

[35:42] All those in favor, please say aye.

[35:44] Aye.

[35:45] Aye.

[35:45] Opposed?

[35:46] Motion passes.

[35:49] Item number five, consideration of participating in the Oakland County Road Commission

[35:55] 2026 Road Graveling Program.

[35:59] Manager Maruchio, turn this over to you.

[36:01] I will.

[36:02] Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

[36:03] So tonight all I'm asking for is really just a show of hands or a nod, because no formal equipment has to be made in terms of the amount.

[36:09] I know we've participated for at least three years to the tune of $350,000.

[36:17] You saw in my memo that because of the low price of the gravel last year,

[36:23] quite a few communities participated and they were not able to complete the 25 program.

[36:27] However, you're going to complete it this year at the same price those prices were good for two years, at $17 a ton.

[36:34] And so I just need to know if you want to go ahead, and then I'll have our district supervisor come up with the numbers in terms of what needs to be done for 26 and what will still get to be completed for 25.

[36:50] And then I think maybe the best way is that the road subcommittee get together, go over that report, come back with a recommendation.

[36:58] Thankfully, my recollections, we have three meetings before the deadline is in March.

[37:04] So we can either make the second meeting in February or the first meeting in March to commit.

[37:11] So all I need is just people saying, yeah, we want to participate.

[37:14] I'll tell them that he'll start working on a plan for 26.

[37:18] But be honest with your participation.

[37:20] One thing I remember is him saying we have done such a good job here in the township for

[37:24] the last three years that the program for the true 26 program, he said it would be minimal maybe to the tune of $150, $160,000.

[37:33] Because our major roads, I'll use that term loosely, not in a very good shape.

[37:41] And I'll point out that we did not, we authorized significantly more spending than we had last year.

[37:49] The limestone was primarily accomplished, but the gravel wasn't.

[37:54] So we could reallocate those unused funds from last year if we wanted to, but we typically look to the road commission for recommendations, what to do.

[38:08] And if they're recommending, if what we budgeted for this year covers their recommendations, then we may not have to look past that.

[38:18] And for 20s, 26, like prior years, we budgeted 100,000 for linestone, 150,000 for gravel, and 100,000 for pavement improvements.

[38:31] So we already have that budgeted, if we have recommendations, if projects are identified, that's what we could consider for this year.

[38:41] Okay, then I'll get in touch with the road subcommittee.

[38:44] I'll first, I'll get in touch with the district supervisor, haven't come up with his recommendations, give them to me, give them to the road subcommittee in advance, so you can look at it, and then maybe even have him come in.

[38:56] He's pretty amenable to doing things like that.

[38:59] That might be good,

[39:03] I'll proceed.

[39:04] Any other comments, questions, suggestions?

[39:09] Okay, I'll move on from that.

[39:14] Next item is public comment for items not on the agenda.

[39:18] Is there any public comment?

[39:22] Seeing none, the Township Managers report.

[39:25] Two items, Madam Chairperson, one is we still have one vacancy left on the zoning board of appeals.

[39:31] And that notification is on the Township website and has remained there.

[39:36] It's probably been up for two or three weeks.

[39:39] In fact, today we just swore in Mr. Treppakelli from, was appointed two weeks ago tonight.

[39:44] So he's on board and we have the one vacancy.

[39:48] And so if you know anyone, please tell them that we can email them an application and

[39:52] they can come in for an application, whatever is easier.

[39:55] And the second item is just that we have a part time position available upstairs in the central office here that we're looking to fill.

[40:04] So it's advertised on the Township website, so they get information from there, and again they can ask us and we can send an email out with an application or they can come in and fill it out as well.

[40:14] Those are the only two items I have.

[40:16] What department?

[40:17] I'm sorry?

[40:17] What department?

[40:18] Treasury.

[40:24] Questions or comments from Mr. Murrucci.

[40:27] We will move on to board reports and correspondence.

[40:31] I'll start with trustee Campbell.

[40:34] Nothing to report?

[40:36] Trustee Elder.

[40:37] Nothing.

[40:38] Trustee Cassidy.

[40:39] Nothing to report.

[40:41] Trustee Langlois.

[40:42] Nothing to report.

[40:43] Charger of Genie Angelie.

[40:45] Please stay warm.

[40:47] Don't forget your taxes are doing February.

[40:51] What's the date?

[40:52] February 14th.

[40:53] Actually Valentine's.

[40:55] Remember you and your own decided to give people three additional days because of the way the calendar falls.

[41:01] Yes.

[41:02] So they'll have until I believe it's February 17th.

[41:04] Yes, because it falls.

[41:05] You issued that executive order, I think it was last week, to give people through additional days.

[41:11] Clerk Riley, nothing to report.

[41:14] All right, is there a motion to adjourn?

[41:17] I move.

[41:19] Support?

[41:20] Sport?

[41:22] Motion by elders, supported by Riley to adjourn.

[41:25] All those in favor, please say aye.

[41:27] All right.

[41:27] We are adjourned.

Board of Trustees

Agenda

Transcript