HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1970.09.18 - 38405PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
September 18, 1970
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Frances Clark at
9:30 a.m. in the Parks and Recreation Commission room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Frances Clark, Vice Chairman Clarence Durbin,
Secretary Velma Austin, Henry Schiffer, Frank Richardson,
Sol Lomerson, Carl O'Brien, James Reid, Thomas Dillon.
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Daniel Barry
ALSO PRESENT:
Kenneth L. Van Natta, Director and Irwin Cohn.
The minutes of September 4, 1970 were discussed.
Moved by Mr. Schiffer, supported by Mr. Durbin
that the minutes of September 4, 1970 be approved
as written.
Motion carried.
Mr. Irwin Cohn, owner of the property located on the east side
of Crooked Lake in Independence Township, appeared before the
Commission for the purpose of registering a protest that the
Commission had not given adequate consideration to the purchase
of this property. The Commission assured him that there was
thought and discussion devoted to the matter, and that no offi-
cial action had been taken since receiving Mr. Stoppert's
appraisal.
Mr. Cohn stated he would sell the 421 acres for the sum of
$760,000, to be paid over a three-year period with a down pay-
ment of $200,000 and six (6) percent interest on the balance.
He said confirmation of this offer could be obtained from his
son, a part owner, within forty-eight hours.
Mr. Van Natta stated that in his opinion the cost of the land
was too high to be a wise investment at this time because much
of the land is unsuitable for park purposes.
Page 2 (9/18/70 Commission meeting)
Moved by Mr. Dillon, supported by Mr. O'Brien
that the director be requested to furnish the
Commission with an analysis of the appraisal
of the Crooked Lake property, request the
appraiser, Mr. Stoppert, to appear before the
Commission, and to supply the Commission mem-
bers, in advance, with copies of the appraisal.
Motion carried.
A letter to this effect is to be directed to Mr. Cohn.
Mr. Van Natta reported legal problems in connection with the
purchase in Commerce Township were being cleared and options
would soon be ready for signing.
The director also informed the Commission that financial
arrangements for the purchase of the Twin Lake golf course
had been made whereby, an initial payment of $500,000 would
be made on October 1, 1970, the balance of the land contract
to be completed on May 15, 1971.
There was discussion relative to the action of the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners' approval of the Regional
Affairs Committee's recommendation that the Huron -Clinton
Metropolitan Authority investigate the feasibility of
locating a park in Oakland County. Mr. O'Brien said that
Brandon Township was merely a tentative suggested location.
Mr. Richardson expressed regret that the recommendation was
not submitted to this Commission for consulation prior to
action being taken by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Van Natta reported that negotiations were under way in
regard to obtaining a concession arrangement for the park sys-
tem with a catering firm.
Concession arrangements are also under way to supply snow-
mobiling in one of the parks. Copies of the proposal when
formulated, are to be sent to Commission members.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Moved by Mr. Dillon, supported by Mr. Richardson
that the meeting be adjourned.
The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2,
1970.
Velma Austin, Secretary