HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1980.12.03 - 38671OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
December 3, 1980
The meeting was called to order at 9:27 a.m. by Chairman Lewis Wint in the Parks
and Recreation Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Lewis Wint, Vice Chairman Marjorie Walker, Secretary Velma Austin, Fred
Houghten, George Kuhn, Dr. Joseph Montante, Carol Stanley, Richard Wilcox.
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Don Deni
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
County Commissioner
Dept. of Public Works
Royal Oak Parks & Recreation
Madison Heights Parks & Rec.
City of Madison Heights
James Scott & Associates, Inc.
Dale Carnegie Courses
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
R. Eric Reickel, Manager
Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design & Development
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Michael Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Arnold Johnston, Chief of Parks
Sheila Cox, Accountant
C.L. Ross, Chief of Adminis. Services
Betty Fortino
Milton Handorf, Director
Steve Gillette
Ed Berg, Director
Amy Falberg, Adminis. Assistant to City Manager
James Scott, Paul Nak6lan & Steve Alman
Diane Pantano
Moved by Mrs. Austin, supported by Mrs. Stanley to approve
the minutes of the meeting of November 19, 1980, as written.
Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
Moved by Mrs. Walker, supported by Mr. Wilcox to approve
payment of Vouchers 11 -126 through 11-201.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Austin, Montante, Stanley, Walker, Wilcox, Wint (6)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM:
Mr. Kipke stated that staff would like to institute an in-service training program
for selected employees this winter and emphasized the importance of a good rapport
between the park employee and the public.
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(Commission Meeting, December 3, 1980)
The program, supported by the County Executive's office, was explained by Diane
Pantano of the Dale Carnegie courses. It involves three hours per week for
14 weeks. The course is also eligible for tuition reimbursement through Oakland
County.
Staff recommended the Commission appropriate funds for 20 employees to attend
the Dale Carnegie course at a cost of $400 per person or $8000.
Discussion followed on the merits of the program, what employees would be
involved, and whether or not the employee should be required to donate a portion
of his time or money for the project.
Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mrs. Walker to approve
the expenditure of $8000 for 20 employees to take the Dale
Carnegie course.
The Commission requested a list of the employees who will take the course and
the length of time they have been County employees.
Moved by Mr. Wilcox, supported by Mrs. Stanley to amend the
motion to the effect that the Parks and Recreation Commission
pay 3/4 of the cost for the course and the employee pay 1/4
or $100.
Due to employees in other County departments taking the course on County time
and money, reference was made to a possible problem with Merit System rules if
the Commission required its employees to pay a portion of the cost for the
course.
Moved by Mr. Wilcox, supported by Mrs. Stanley to table
discussion on the in-service training program until the
next meeting.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Houghten, Kuhn, Stanley, Wilcox, Austin (5)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
RED OAKS:
James Scott and Paul Nakolan of James Scott & Associates presented a conceptual
master plan for Red Oaks. It covered the northeast section of the property --
13 Mile Road north to Dequindre.
They reviewed the site analysis, existing land uses, and four alternatives
for the property, based upon acquisition:
Alternate #1: Working within the existing land ownership; 26 acres owned
by the Red Run Drainage Authority.
Alternate #2: Encompassed the 26 acres plus 13 acres in private ownership,
if acquired.
Alternate #3: Combination of Alternates 13 and 2 plus 60 acres owned by
the Oakland County Drain Commission known as the Henry Graham Drain.
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(Commission Meeting, December 3, 1980)
Alternate #4: Showed first phase of development for the 26 acres with
eventual expansion to include all the alternates.
Some of the recreational possibilities that were discussed for the property:
wave -action pool, bicycle motocross track, softball complex, open field play,
football, physical fitness trails, volleyball, and winter sports area.
Mr. Reickel requested that consideration be given to an area for soap box derby
racing. Mr. Scott replied that soap box derby racing was considered but there
was not enough space to accommodate it.
It was suggested that an area be made available for sports for children and young
women.
Taking the Commission's comments into consideration, Mr. Scott will make
recommendations for the first phase development and present a cost estimate at
the first meeting in January.
WATERFORD OAKS WATER SLIDE:
Jim Scott and Steve Alman, James Scott & Associates, reviewed the conceptual master
plan as to the feasibility of a water slide in conjunction with the Waterford Oaks
Wave Pool.
Mr. Scott stated the slide could include up to four flumes but recommended
starting with only two.
The final proposal, including a cost estimate, will be made at the first meeting
in January.
CHRYSLER/ORION TOWNSHIP PROPERTY:
Mr. Reickel received word from the Department of Natural Resources that in order
to acquire the Chrysler property, the County's $500,000 payment must be made
prior to December 31, 1980, or the whole project would be jeopardized. Also,
permission to acquire the property must be received from the County Board of
Commissioners.
Mr. Reickel stated he had explored all avenues for funding assistance or ob-
taining loans, ie; state, federal, land conservancy, foundations, and due to
the economic climate, it was impossible to get financial aid.
At a meeting attended by Chairman Wint and Mr. Reickel, the County Executive
stated that the Commission could delay the $300,000 payment due January 31,
1981, for Glen Oaks until anytime prior to the end of the 1981 County budget
year, thus enabling the Commission to use its own funds for the purchase.
Discussion conducted on the feasibility of acquiring the property and whether
the Commission could do so without jeopardizing its capital projects. It was
noted that the estimated fair market value of the County's 900+ acres portion
was $4.2 million and could be acquired for $500,000.
It was determined to be very prime land and of unestimable value for preservation
and future use.
(contined)
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(Commission Meeting, December 3, 1980)
Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mr. Wilcox to acquire, in
cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,
the 900+ acres of the Chrysler/Orion Township property with Parks
and Recreation Commission funds and go to the County Board of
Commissioners for final approval.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Stanley, Walker, Wilcox, Wint, Austin, Houghten, Kuhn, Montante (8)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Staff will draft a resolution and forward it to the Planning and Building Committee
for referral to the Board of Commissioners.
ADOPTION OF 1981 BUDGET:
The Commission reviewed the 1981 General Appropriations Act. Mr. Ross stated
that to approve the Act would mandate approval of the Parks and Recreation
Commission's 1981 Budget. The Act does not allow deficit spending by any unit
of government in Michigan.
Moved by Mrs. Austin, supported by Mrs. Walker, to adopt the
1981 General Appropriations Act.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Walker, Wilcox, Wint, Austin, Houghten, Kuhn, Montante, Stanley (8)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
---The Michigan Recreation and Park Association's Winter Conference will be held
at the Detroit Plaza January 25 through 28.
---Fliers for the Winter Photo Contest are available.
---Kathleen Dougherty, Park Naturalist, was on WWJ Radio. A tape of the broadcast
is available.
---Tom Seavey, Recreation Supervisor, resigned his position.
The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.
Velma Austin
Secretary
( 6/;; ' j'
Betty es
Recor 'ng Secretary
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