 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
MAY 2024
Quick links to this issue's stories:
The Board has published its yearly recap, Annual Report: 2023 in Review, which offers a review of some of the most transformative initiatives and programs approved last year. Through collaborative decision-making, the Board made investments in Oakland County residents by offering relief from medical debt, providing grants for energy-efficient home improvements and increasing the availability of affordable housing. The printed report will be popping around the county and is available to view and download from the Board’s website.
To share information covered in the report, Board Chair David T. Woodward (District 1) released a series of videos in which he explores some Board actions in greater depth. These videos, starting with an introduction to the Annual Report, take a closer look at strides made in bringing better transit solutions to residents, investments in local road improvements and the Board’s continued support of residents’ mental health.
Follow the Board on Facebook or visit its YouTube channel to access the complete video series.
With support from the Board’s Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee, the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA) recently announced that it is accepting grant applications from Oakland County communities that wish to operate local chore projects, such as lawn mowing, snow removal or other yard services, for low-income seniors.
All Oakland County cities, villages and townships are eligible to apply for mini grants through the program. Awards will range from $5,000 to $130,000 based on community needs and demographics. The deadline for the first application round is May 31, 2024. Complete grant application requirements can be found at www.olhsa.org/en-us/chore.
OLHSA has also developed a toolkit that will help Oakland County communities continue a chore program beyond the county’s initial funding of this pilot program.
Read more about the pilot program at bit.ly/OCSeniorChore24.
During its April 11 meeting, the Board adopted a resolution to appropriate $250,000 for new restroom facilities at Innovation Hills Park in Rochester Hills. This funding is in addition to a $250,000 commitment from Oakland County Parks and Recreation for a total county investment of $500,000. The project will help accommodate the approximately 400,000 people who visit the park annually.
Since opening in 2019, the 70-acre park and playground have become a destination for the area with its glow-in-the-dark sidewalks and miles of walking trails, accessible play elements, two gardens and a kayak launch into the Clinton River.
The project is expected to cost a total of $2 million, with the City of Rochester Hills funding the remaining costs. The city plans to begin construction in summer or fall of 2024. Additional information can be found at bit.ly/InnovationHills24.
Throughout April, commissioners celebrated Earth Day in a variety of ways. From formally recognizing the day with a proclamation to attending the first Tri-County Green Schools celebration to participating in the county’s employee Earth Day event, Board members found ways to mark the occasion.
During the Board meeting held on April 11, Commissioners Gwen Markham (District 15) and Kristen Nelson (District 10) issued a proclamation to recognize April 22 as Earth Day in Oakland County. The proclamation was accepted by Turn Oakland County Green, a volunteer-driven organization that aims to make the county a leading example of environmental stewardship.
Commissioners also joined students from more than 90 Oakland County schools at the Detroit Zoo for the Green Schools Tri-County Event on April 23, where these schools were recognized for their contributions towards sustainability. At the event, Commissioners Penny Luebs (District 2), Ann Erickson Gault (District 3), Linnie Taylor (District 18), Charlie Cavell (District 19) and Markham met with students, teachers and administrators from Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties and congratulated them on their achievements. Some of the schools’ green initiatives included the production of environmentally friendly yearbooks, collections of old school supplies for reuse and the creation of pollinator gardens.
Just a few days later, commissioners were also invited to participate in an Earth Day event jointly hosted by the Oakland County Office of Sustainability and Human Resources. It combined Earth Day with Bring Your Child to Work Day for county employees and showcased the steps the county is taking to secure a better future for the next generation. At the event, county employees test drove electric vehicles, created native plant seed kits, dropped off recycling and had fun sharing other activities with their co-workers and kids.
The Board regularly recognizes residents, community members, organizations and businesses with proclamations and certificates in honor of special milestones, contributions or achievements. See the list below for recognitions from last month.
- The thrilling season of the NFC North Division Champions Detroit Lions, including a 12-5 record that tied for the best in NFC history, was recognized – presented by Commissioner Brendan Johnson (District 4) with unanimous support from all commissioners, Apr. 11.
- Turn Oakland County Green joined the Board in proclaiming April 22 as Earth Day in Oakland County – presented by Commissioner Gwen Markham (District 15) and Kristen Nelson (District 10), Apr. 11.
- The sacrifices made by members of the workforce who have been injured, disabled or killed through workplace accidents was honored by declaring April 28 as Workers Memorial Day in Oakland County – presented by Commissioner William Miller (District 16), Apr. 11.
- The life and contributions of Pecky Lewis Jr. were memorialized with the renaming of the Red Oaks Golf Course pro shop in his honor – presented by Commissioners Ann Erickson Gault (District 3), Christine Long (District 12), Yolanda Smith Charles (District 18) and Chair David T. Woodward (District 1), Apr. 19.
- First established in 1873 and today one of the oldest organizations in the community, the South Lyon Masonic Lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary – presented by Commissioner Philip J. Weipert (District 13), Apr. 20.
- The grand opening and ribbon cutting of Independence Township Parks, Recreation and Seniors’ Bay Court Playground, an inclusive area for children of all abilities, was commemorated – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), Apr. 23.
-
Collaboration Station Autism Center, a practice dedicated to delivering exceptional care to children ages two to eight who are on the autism spectrum or have developmental disabilities, opened its doors in Clarkston – presented by Commissioner Joliat, Apr. 24.
- April was recognized as Chaldean American Month in Oakland County in honor of the significant cultural and economic contributions made by local Chaldean Americans – presented by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) and Commissioner Miller, Apr. 24.
-
Frank Jonna, partner and CEO of Jonna Construction and active community member, received commendation for being named as the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce 2024 Businessperson of the Year – presented by Vice Chair Gershenson, Apr. 26.
Below is a schedule of meetings this month. Full Board and standing committee meetings are open to the public at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, and livestreamed on the Board’s YouTube channel. Visit our website for any schedule changes and follow the Board on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Thursday, May 2
Coordinating Zoning, 11 a.m.
Monday, May 13
Transit Ad Hoc, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, May 14
Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee, 9 a.m.
Public Health and Safety Committee, 10:30 a.m.
Tax Incremental Finance Review, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15
Local Road Improvement Program, 9 a.m.
Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, 9:30 a.m.
Special Committee to Study Road Commission Operations, 10:30 a.m.
Finance Committee, 11 a.m.
Coordinating Zoning, 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 22
Audit Subcommittee, 4:30 p.m.
Majority Caucus, 5 p.m.
Full Board, 6 p.m.
|
Based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, nearly 20 percent of people living in Oakland County are 65 years old and over. The Board will be honoring the contributions made by older adults during its May 22nd meeting in observation of Older Americans Month. For the past three years, commissioners have been invited to identify a resident from their district who is at least 60 to be recognized with the Board’s Outstanding Oakland County Older Adult Award.
|
There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
-
NoHaz, a consortium of communities in northern Oakland County that allows residents to dispose of household hazardous waste, has scheduled collection events in the community on June 1, July 20 and September 14. To learn more about which items are accepted and any applicable fees for participating, visit NoHaz.com.
-
Oakland County Parks is celebrating National Military Appreciation Month in May. Oakland County residents who show proof of active military or veteran status can receive one free recreation voucher. Vouchers must be claimed in person by May 31 and expire December 31, 2024. More details can be found at OaklandCountyParks.com.
- The county is planting approximately 500 trees around campus this spring. They will be a mix of native evergreen, deciduous shade and flowering trees purchased from suppliers in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and are estimated to eventually absorb nearly 12 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Read more about Oakland County’s sustainability initiatives at oakgov.com/sustainability.
Was this message forwarded to you? Be sure to sign up for The Board Bulletin by visiting your commissioner's webpage at oakgov.com/boc and clicking the "Newsletter Sign-up" button. You can also follow the Board on Facebook and LinkedIn for all the latest updates.
|
