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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1981.06.03 - 38702OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 3. 1981 The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. by Chairman Lewis Wint in the Parks and Recreation Commission Room. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Lewis Wint, Secretary Velma Austin, Don Deni, George Kuhn, Dr. Joseph Montante, Carol Stanley, Richard Wilcox. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairman Marjorie Walker, Fred Houghten ALSO PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Dept. of Public Works Civil Counsel's Office West Blmfld. Parks & Rec. Independence Township Oakland Golf Dome Associates Edward C. Levy Company Honigman, Miller, Schwartz & Cohn Anthony M. Franco, Inc. The Daily Tribune Oakland Press R. Eric Reickel, Manager Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager Joseph Figa, Chief of Design & Development Charles Ross, Chief Administrative Officer Arnold Johnston, Chief of Parks Michael Thibodeau, Chief of Golf Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer Sheila Cox, Accountant Milton Handorf, Director Jack Hays, Linda Wasielewski Mary Rocha, Publicity James B. Smith, Supervisor Janet McCord, Resident Donald Pierce, Attorney, Mrs. Pam Thompson Robert Carson, Vice President Fred Mensenberg, Engineer Norman Hyman, Attorney Dorothy Langan, Account Executive John Basch Hank Schaller Chairman Wint introduced and welcomed the guests to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mr. Kuhn to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 20, 1981. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS: Moved by Mrs. Austin, supported by Mr. Deni to approve payment of Vouchers 5-251 through 5-311. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Kuhn, Montante, Wint, Austin, Deni (5) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. 3-1 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) ACTIVITIES REPORT: Moved by Mr. Deni, supported by Mrs. Austin to accept the Activities Report as of April, 1981. It was reiterated that the annual golf memberships apply to White Lake Oaks and Springfield Oaks only. Mr. Thibodeau suggested that the memberships be discussed by the Commission at budget time. A weekly activities report for the Mobile Recreation Section was presented to the Commission. Mr. Reickel recently appeared on WDRQ and WWJ Radio to talk about the parks. Motion carried. WEEDTRINE, GROVELAND AND ADDISON: The following bids were received by Purchasing for "Weedtrine" for Addison and Groveland Oaks. "Weedtrine" is a product used for weekcontrol in lakes: Bio Serve $6,516.00 Applied Bio Chemist 6,894.48 Utica Distributors 6,385.20 Staff concurred with Purchasing to award the purchase to the low bidder, Utica Distributors, in the amount of $6,385.20. Mr. Ross explained that $4000 would come from the lake improvement project for Addison Oaks and the remaining $2,385.20 from the contingency fund for the Capital Development Budget. Mr. Johnston reported that Weedtrine had been used successfully in past years with no adverse effects to the environment. Commissioner Montante stated that the Pine Lake Association did not have much success in using weed killer in the lake and suggested consideration be given to harvesting weeds in the future or a combination of harvesting and weed killer. Commissioner Kuhn suggested a meeting be held to discuss long range solutions for weed control in the lakes. Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Dr. Montante to approve purchasing Weedtrine for Addison Oaks and Groveland Oaks from the low bidder, Utica Distributors, for $6,385.20; the $2,385.20 over budget will be transferred from the contingency fund for the purchase. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Montante, Wint, Austin, Deni, Kuhn (5) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. HEATING AND COOLING - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Mr. Figa explained that a heating and cooling system was approved in the 1981 budget for the administrative office and requested permission to seek design work and bids for the project. Both Hoyem/Basso and County engineers from F & 0 3-2 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) have reviewed the existing system and studied the potential needs to properly heat, cool and ventilate the building. Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mr. Deni to proceed with the heating and cooling system for the administrative office. Motion carried. OAKLAND GOLF DOME ASSOCIATES: Mr. Donald Pierce, partner with Michael Thompson in Oakland Golf Dome Associates, requested the Commission give consideration to Golf Dome constructing a concrete grade beam, or perimeter foundation, around the base of the air structure at the Red Oaks Driving Range. He explained that the foundation, approximately 6" wide and 4' deep, would give a better anchorage system to the air structure and should halt the muddy conditions experienced during the past winter. It would also allow a better seal around the base and reduce heat loss during the winter operation. Mr. Pierce also requested that the Commission consider extending its lease with Golf Dome. Chairman Wint requested a financial report of the Dome's activities prior to any discussion about extending the lease. Staff suggested that Golf Dome be given permission to proceed with the engineering of the grade beam and obtain approvals from the Drain Commission for the project. Moved by Mrs. Austin, supported by Mr. Deni to refer Golf Dome's request to staff and to the Drain Commission for approval. Motion carried. LEVY COMPANY - INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP MINING SITE: Normany Hyman of Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn, representing the Edward C. Levy Company, talked to the Commission about the 500 acres the Levy Company owns between Independence Oaks County Park and Clintonwood Park owned by Independence Township. The Levy Company wants to mine gravel on the land and is seeking a permit to do so from the Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Hyman indicated that the value of the land had appreciatedsubstantially since the Parks and Recreation Commission had applied to the Michigan Land Trust Fund in 1977 to acquire the flood plain between Independence Oaks and Clintonwood Park. Mr. Hyman said there was $14 million worth of gravel on the site. Referring -to 100 acres of wetlands, Mr. Hyman indicated that the "Levy Company was prepared to convey the land to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission at a cost it could afford to pay." He further indicated "1 believe the only way you are going to get the land you want is by working through us." 3-3 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) Levy would mine the land for 19 years before turning it into a low density residential subdivision. Mr. Figa expressed concern about whether the mining operation would affect the water table of the Clinton River and Crooked Lake in Independence Oaks and further indicated that the exact definition of the boundaries for the wetlands had not been determined by the DNR. Mr Hyman expressed concern over "Parks and Recreation being in the vanguard of opposition to our proposal" and that Mr. Reickel, in public statements, had "come across to the public as partisan." Mr. Reickel stated that he, and the Commission, had an obligation to protect the 850-acre Independence Oaks Park and the environment surrounding it. He said it had not been proven to him, beyond a doubt, that the mining operation would not have a negative effect on the flood plain and Crooked Lake within the present park boundaries. Commissioner Montante stated the Commission represented all of Oakland County and decisions such as these were up to the local communities; also, Levy would not be able to get a DNR permit to mine the 100 acres because it was protected wetlands. James Smith, Independence Township Supervisor, stated "What we are seeing here today is, in essence, an effort to make a deal with the County to shortchange the whole thing." Chairman Wint said that Mr. Reickel and Mr. Figa had an obligation to the Commission and if they felt there was anything that would jeopardize Independence Oaks, they were within their parameters to state their opinions on the subject. Mr. Hyman concluded his presentation by saying that the Levy Company would continue to work with the DNR to obtain a gravel mining permit. WATERFORD OAKS WATER SLIDE: Jim Scott of James C. Scott & Associates proposed that his firm be hired as con- struction manager and enter into agreement with the Parks and Recreation Commission to build a water slide at Waterford Oaks for a not to exceed figure of $350,000. The Commission would purchase the slide and splashdown pool. Discussion was conducted on the construction manager concept, the bidding processes for sub-constractors and the obligations of the construction manager and the Commission. Moved by Mr. Wilcox, supported by Mrs. Austin to approve the concept of building the water slide with a construction manager and that staff meet with the construction manager and legal counsel to prepare the proper documents for Commission approval. Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mrs. Stanley to table discussion on the water slide. ROLL CALL VOTE ON TABLING MOTION: AYES: Stanley, Deni, Montante (3) NAYS: Wilcox, Wint, Austin, Kuhn (4) A sufficient majority not having voted therefor, the motion failed. 3-4 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Wint, Austin, Deni, Kuhn, Wilcox (5) NAYS: Montante, Stanley (2) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. The slide will be in operation by Memorial Day, 1982. Chairman Wint was excused from the meeting and Secretary Velma Austin assumed the chair. GLEN OAKS: HEATING/COOLING RENOVATION: Mr. Figa explained that due to maintenance problems and complaints from the public, it was necessary to replace the heating and cooling system at Glen Oaks. Hoyem-Basso studied the building and recommended a new system be designed and installed in a phased program: 1st Phase: Install 15 tons of new A/C in conjunction with the existing units. 2nd Phase: Install 3 new furnaces and repair a minimum of present duct work. 3rd Phase: Install the second 15 tons of A/C bringing the system to recommended size. 4th Phase: Renovate the remaining duct work for the furnaces. The 1st Phase could be accomplished in early to mid -summer with an estimated cost of approximately $40,000, depending on the architectural modifications required. Mr. Figa stated it would probably take $80,000 to $100,000 to complete the total project. Staff recommended that Hoyem-Basso be hired to do the design work because of their familiarity with the building. The cost for the complete design package and construction documents for all heating, ventilating, air conditioning and related architectural work would be $17,000 to $20,000. Moved by Dr. Montante, supported by Mrs. Stanley to proceed to hire Hoyem-Basso Associates, Inc., to prepare an overall design plan and construction documents for heating and cooling at the Glen Oaks Clubhouse; cost to be between $17,000 and $20,000. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Austin, Deni, Montante, Stanley, Wilcox (5) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. 3-5 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) MANAGER'S REPORT: ---Water Ski Show, Groveland Oaks, Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m. Bluegrass music starts at 2 p.m. ---The Boy's Club of Royal Oak which holds an annual auction to help carry out its programs, were presented with two 1981 vehicle passes and one free visit of any mobile recreation unit for their auction. ---The Springfield Oaks Youth Activities Center has been rented for Glenn Riley's School of Gymnastics for boys and girls, ages 4 to 7. ---The Madison Heights City Council requested that the Commission give consid- eration to citizens planting gardens on the Red Run Drain at Red Oaks. As stated at the Public Hearing, Mr. Reickel reiterated that the soil was not conducive to gardening and the Commission did not have the authority to grant such a request. Moved by Mr. Wilcox, supported by Dr. Montante to refer the gardening request to the Red Run Drainage Authority. Motion carried. ---Ms. Pung reported on the National Recreation and Park Association's ''Life, Be In It'' program which is a thrust to get people involved in recreational programs. NRPA is asking the involvement of parks and recreation departments throughout the country. A $25 fee is required to use the logo of the program and to obtain materials provided by NRPA. Ms. Pung recommended the Commission participate in the program. She will present a resoltuion pertaining to the program at the next meeting. ---Received request from a citizen to lease a portion of Orion Oaks for planting corn. Mr. Ross stated that Civil Counsel's office had reviewed the request and recommended entering into a one-year verbal agreement for $15 per acre. Moved by Mr. Deni, supported by Mrs. Stanley to approve for one year, the planting of corn at Orion Oaks on no more than 100 acres for $15 per acre. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Deni, Montante, Stanley, Wilcox, Austin (5) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. ---Mr. Figa explained that due to federal guidelines, Parks and Recreation was required to relocate the family who resided on the Orion Oaks property when we purchased it. We are allowed $4000 for the re -location; however, due to Mrs. Lomerson being on Social Security and having a handicapped son, special con- siderations could increase the expense to $7000 for three years. ---Received request from the Oaks Corporation to install an 8' x 10' refrigerated walk-in at White Lake Oaks. Parks and Recreation personnel would do the 3-6 (Commission Meeting, June 3, 1981) preparation work necessary to the installation. The Commission had no objection. ---Junior Golf Tournament, June 18 and 19. They will play at White Lake Oaks on June 18 and Springfield Oaks on June 19. ---Ms. Pung will show a senior citizens slide presentation at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Velma Austin Secretary Betty u st Recor ing Secretary 3-7