HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1980.09.26 - 38681OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
September 26, 1980 ,
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lewis Wint of 10:17 a.m. in the
Parks and Recreation Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Lewis Wint, Vice Chairman Marjorie Walker, Secretary Velma Austin, Don
Deni, Fred Houghten, George Kuhn, Carol Stanley, Richard Wilcox.
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. Joseph Montante.
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
R. Eric Reickel, Manager
Jon Kipke, Assistant Manager
Charles Ross, Chief, Administrative Services
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design & Development
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Ann Schug, Public Communications Section
Jay Fickling, Public Communications Section
Dept. of Public Works
Milton Handorf, Director
Orion Township
Robert Sheardy, Supervisor
Kathy Jacobs, Clerk
Hope Tyrrell, Treasurer
Joann VanTassel, Trustee
County Commissioner
Mat Dunaskiss
Anthony M. Franco, Inc.
Dorothy Langan, Account Executive
Daily Tribune
John Basch
Oakland Press
Cindy Goodaker
WPON
Chris Gurney
Pontiac -Waterford Times
Nancy Nowha
The meeting was called to discuss the Parks and Recreation Commission's role in
the acquisition of the 2400-acre Chrysler property by the Department of Natural
Resources in Orion Township.
Chairman Wint stated that Parks and Recreation had been informed by letter from
the DNR that Chrysler Corporation would probably accept $5.5 million for the
2400 acres in Orion Township and that all funding was finalized except for the
$500,000 from Oakland County.
The letter stated - "As provided in Section 6 (1) of Act 19, P.A. 1980, the
Department of Natural Resources is authorized to convey a large portion of the
property to Oakland County, contingent upon a county expenditure of $500,000
toward the acquisition."
The DNR requested a formal commitment by Oakland County to provide the $500,000.
(Commission Meeting, September 26, 1980, Chrysler Property)
The DNR intends to keep 1500 acres for its own use, 60 acres will go to Orion
Township and 900 acres to Oakland County.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
$1,000,000 Michigan Land Trust Fund
3,000,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund
1,000,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Contingency Grant
500,000 Oakland County
$5,500,000
Chairman Wint invited comments from the representatives of Orion Township.
Orion Township Supervisor Robert Sheardy stated he would like to see the land
preserved as open space if they could be assured that development would proceed
slowly so that traffic problems would not be created.
Trustee Joann VanTassel stated that sewers were built or sized to accommodate
the development of the 900 acres and if the property were to become a County Park,
the need for that sizing wasn't there. It had been anticipated that sewer costs
would be paid for by the development. In view of that, she expressed a desire
for the DNR to reimburse the Township for that anticipated expense.
Both Ms. VanTassel and Kathy Jacobs, Township Clerk, expressed reservations about
DNR allowing hunting on the property and the number of campsites on the portion
to be acquired by Parks and Recreation.
Discussion followed on all aspects of the property -- location, price, the County's
role in the acquisition, operation, DNR's master plan, etc.
The Commission emphasized that hunting is against its philosophy and expressed
a desire to seek amendatory legislation to delete "hunting" from Senate Bill 387,
"An Act to make an appropriation to the department of natural resources; to
authorize the acquisition of real property; and to prescribe the powers and
duties of the department of natural resources with respect to the appropriation."
Mr. Ross distributed a financial report on the Summary of Revenues and Operation
Expenses for the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission from 1976 through
1980; a Projected Revenue and Expense Statement for 1981-1987 if the Headlee
Amendment were in effect; and the Revenue and Expense Statement for 1981-1987
if the Tisch Amendment were in effect.
Moved by Mr. Houghten, supported by Mr. Deni that we reaffirm our
resolution of September 17 but with two major areas of concern:
The $500,000 funding request cannot be committed without further
consideration and seek amendatory legislation to delete "hunting"
from Senate Bill 387•
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Deni, Houghten, Walker, Wilcox, Wint, Austin (6)
NAYS: Kuhn, Stanley (2)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.
Betty G st
Recording Secretary