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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1983.09.28 - 38751OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING September 28, 1983 The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. by Chairman Lewis Wint in the Parks and Recreation Commission's conference room. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Lewis Wint, Vice Chairman Carol Stanley, Secretary Jean Fox, Harold Cousins, George Kuhn, Pecky Lewis, Jr., Dr. Joseph Montante. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: John Gnau, Daniel Murphy, Richard Wilcox. ALSO PRESENT: Parks and Recreation R. Eric Reickel, Manager Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager C. L. Ross, Chief, Administrative Services Sheila Cox, Accountant Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer Joseph Figa, Chief, Design & Development Kathleen Dougherty, Parks Naturalist Daniel Stencil, Recreation Supervisor Nancy Phillips, BMX Coordinator Monica Walch, Therapeutic Rec. Supervisor Department of Public Works Milton Handorf, Director Mental Retardation Center Helen Catherino Veteran's Affairs Carl Pardon, Manager BMX Volunteer Lawrie Burnett Easter Seal Society Mary Griffin Anthony M. Franco, Inc. Dorothy Langan, Account Executive Springfield Township Collin Wal Is, Supervisor Norris Walls, representative for the Neighbor - to -Neighbor Program Gary Dovre, Attorney for the Township Daily Tribune John Basch, Reporter Chairman Wint welcomed the guests to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Mr. Cousins, supported by Mrs. Stanley to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 7, 1983, with the following correction: Page 3-5: Add the.vote on the motion regarding the 1984 property tax millage spread: "AYES: Cousins, Fox, Gnau, Kuhn, Montante, Stanley, Wint (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried." Motion carried. 3-1 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS: Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mrs. Fox to approve payment of Vouchers 9-1 through 9-208. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Fox, Kuhn, Lewis, Stanley, Wint, Cousins (6) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATING BUDGET - BMX: Mr. Ross stated that under the 1983 Appropriations Act which incorporates the Uniform Budgeting Act, Mr. Reickel or his fiscal officer cannot spend more money than was budgeted by the Commission in any one budget center without further Commission approval. Mr. Ross further explained that the bicycle motocross program changed its sanctioning body this year which entailed some additional expenses. He requested authorization to transfer $15,000 from -the contingency that was originally appropriated for Mobile Recreation to the BMX program. Moved by Mr. Cousins, supported by Mrs. Fox to transfer $15,000 from the contingency fund that was appropriated for Mobile Recreation to the Bicycle Motocross budget center. Mr. Ross explained that the $15,000 was originally intended to be used for the Commission's free grant visits. The visits were made available without having to use the $15,000. Dan Stencil, Supervisor of the Mobile Recreation and BMX programs, introduced Nancy Phillips, coordinator of the BMX program and Mrs. Lawrie Burnett, head of the BMX volunteer group. They told of the problems involved in changing to a new sanctioning body, The National Bicycle League, and of the decline in partici- pants due to the economy and the scheduling of conflicting race dates by the American Bicycle Association. Dan said that the ABA was interested in making money while the NBL was interested in the racers and gives the participants more of an opportunity to race. It was pointed out that the program would probably run at a deficit next year but that we had a much fairer program for the riders than in the past. Discussion followed on all aspects of the program. It was suggested that some of the costs be trimmed such as the amount spent on trophies for the races. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Kuhn, Lewis, Montante, Stanley, Wint, Cousins, Fox (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority,having voted therefor, the motion carried. 3-2 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) Mr. Stencil reported that the volunteer association of the BMX group had paid back $11,000 for concession equipment that the Commission purchased on a 1000' payback agreement and had a balance due the Commission of $3800. Dan said the volunteers had spent over 3000 man hours at the track this year. OPERATING STATEMENTS: Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mr. Cousins to approve the Operating Statements as of August 31, 1983. Motion carried. ACTIVITIES REPORT: Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mr. Kuhn to receive the Activities Report as of August 28, 1983. Motion carried. ASSISTANT PARKS NATURALIST POSITION: Mr. Reickel requested authorization to create a position of Assistant Parks Naturalist as soon as possible. The position had already been requested from the Personnel Department for 1984; however, due to the staff Naturalist taking a maternity leave from January through March, it is impertative the position be approved immediately. The Assistant Naturalist would continue the outreach interpretive programs to schools in Oakland County, assist in the design and exhibits of the nature interpretive center to be constructed at Independence Oaks, and the myriad of other duties connected with the position. Mr. Reickel noted that the position would have to be approved by the Personnel Committee of the Board of Commissioners and then receive full Board approval. Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Cousins to approve staff's recommendation to create a position of Assistant Naturalist and strivefora December 1, 1983, deadline to have the person on staff. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Lewis, Montante, Stanley, Wint, Cousins, Fox, Kuhn (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. RECREATION DISCOUNT CARD FOR THE HANDICAPPED: Ms. Walch, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor, said she met with Dr. Montante and reviewed the proposed policy statement for recreation discount cards for the handicapped. 3-3 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) The wording "handicapped" in the proposal was changed to "permanently disabled." Thefollowingstatement was added: "There will be no cost to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission or the County." Commissioner Lewis requested that a yearly evaluation be made of the program. When a cardholder receives a 50% reduction on fees within the park, he/she must be a participant in that activity. Moved by Mr. Cousins, supported by Dr. Montante to approve the issuance of a recreation discount card for the handicapped.. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Montante, Stanley, Wint, Cousins, Fox, Kuhn, Lewis (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. SPRINGFIELD OAKS - PROPERTY TRANSFER: Mr. Reickel explained that staff had been gorking with Springfield Township officials regarding the possible transfer of the Mill Pond Park property in Davisburg to Springfield Township. The property in question, some 7 acres, was purchased from the Road Commission in 1970 with a Land and Water grant. We originally worked with Springfield Township to run a moderate program but it was determined that it was not within the parameters of a County function. Under the leadership of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Township agreed to take over operation of the Mill Pond site and presently lease it from us for $1 per year. Collin Walls, Supervisor of Springfield Township, said they had "expended a con- siderable amount of funds to improve this park facility" and had reached the point where they would like to determine, prior to further major expenditures or improvements, the Commission's willingness to transfer ownership of the property. The possible transfer, at this time, was precipitated by the Neighbor -to -Neighbor organization which operates out of the building on the property: The group has. set up a food center for persons meeting poverty guidelines and needs improvements made on the building. The program currently services 300 individuals weekly and under a federal grant recently received, the program will serve all areas of Oakland County not being served by other programs. Mr. Walls discussed the Mill Pond dam site and the fact it would need repair in the future. He said the Township assumed that when the day comes, "the Commission, through ownership of the Springfield Oaks Golf Course and its frontage on the Mill Pond would still agree to share in some as yet undetermined proportion in the cost of this repair." 3-4 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) Mr. Reickel stated we would participate in the upgrading of the dam, as adjoin- ing property owners, but it would no longer be the sole responsibility of the Commission. Staff recommended transferring the property to the Township for $1.00, subject to final approval by the State and Federal governments and providing it meets County policy. Moved by Mrs.. Stanley, supported by Mr. Kuhn to notify the Property Management Division of Oakland County to transfer the Mill Pond Park property to Springfield Township, contingent upon the necessary approvals. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Stanley, Wint, Cousins, Fox, Kuhn, Lewis, Montante (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. Mr. Walls complimented the Commission on the man they have working at the Springfield YAC, Brad Baker, and said he was a fantastic individual and he had heard nothing but favorable comments on his work at the YAC; he did well in working with the people and had an excellent rapport with the community. PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN OFF-SEASON MOBILE RECREATION PUPPET SHOW PROGRAM: Moved by Mrs. Fox, supported by Mr. Kuhn to extend the Mobile Recreation Puppetmobile program from October 1 to May 1 for a fee of $125 per visit. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Wint, Cousins, Fox, Kuhn, Lewis, Montante, Stanley (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES - ADDISON OAKS: Mr. Figa said that bids were received on September 17 for the construction of the primitive campsites for Addison Oaks. The project consists of some 2,260 linear feet of 14' and 20' wide gravel roadway, water and electrical installation for roadside lighting, and two water centers. When completed, the project will provide an additional 40 primitive campsites. Its location is adjacent to the new sites that opened this past summer. The bids are as follows: 3-5 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) Harry Rosen's Bulldozing Service Gerlach Landscaping & Grading L. C. Betts C & H Spraying Base $34,252.00 39,633.00 44,418.88 44,793.00 *Alternate $2,415.00 1,630.00 3,000.00 3,073.00 *Construction of an additional 300' of -roadway for six more sites. Staff recommended awarding the contract, bidder, Harry Rosen's Bulldozing Service, for a total project cost of $38,500. including the alternate, to the low for a cost of $36,667, plus contingency, The project was approved in the 1983 Capital Improvement Budget with $50,000 appropriated. Moved by Mrs. Fox, supported by Dr. Montante, to award the contract, plus alternate, for construction of 40+ primitive campsites at Addison Oaks to the low bidder, Harry Rosen's Bulldozing Service, for $36,667, plus a 5% contingency, for a total project cost of $38,500. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Cousins, Fox, Kuhn, Lewis, Montante, Stanley, Wint'(7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. Mrs. Stanley requested a final report to see if the contingency was used. WHITE LAKE OAKS - GOLF CART STORAGE FACILITY: Mr. Figa said the following bids were received for the construction of a golf cart storage building.at White Lake Oaks Golf Course: Wallich Lumber $5,786.01 Burke Lumber 5,814.26 Waterford Lumber 5,877.10 Church Lumber No Bid Erb Lumber No Bid The structure is 30' x 68' and the materials used will be in keeping with the clubhouse. The Technical Support staff will perform the construction. Staff recommended awarding the order to the low bidder, Wallich Lumber, for $5,786.01. Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Dr. Montante, to award the contract for material for the golf cart storage facility at White Lake Oaks to the low bidder, Wallich Lumber, for $5,786.01. 3-6 (Commission Meeting, September 28, 1983) ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Fox, Kuhn, Lewis, Montante, Stanley, Wint, Cousins (7) NAYS: (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. MANAGER'S REPORT: ---Forwarded a letter to the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners with copies to appropriate parties, informing him of the Parks and Recreation Com- mission's unanimous recommendation that the County spread the full one -quarter mill for Parks and Recreation. The County Executive does not want to cause a raise in taxes and will recommend to the Board of Commissioners that we remain at .2466 mill. If approved, it would mean a loss of approximately $47,000 to'the Parks and Recreation Commission and would be the fifth year in a row that we would lose part of the full one - quarter mill. Chairman Wint and I will attend the Finance Committee meeting on September 29 to present the recommendation and also answer any questions on special revenue funds as raised by the auditing firm of Coopers & Lybrand. It was noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission does provide financial information (full budget) to the County Executive and the Board of Commissioners. Considerable discussion ensued on spreading the one -quarter mill and the effect of the Headlee Amendment; Truth in Assessing and Truth in Taxation. Mr. Reickel said he hoped the funding would be approved for the full one -quarter mill. ---Chairman Wint said that the Board of Commissioners was conducting a structural engineering and marketing study of the Youth Activities Center at Springfield Oaks. ---Chairman Wint received a letter thanking the Commission for hosting the MRPA's annual fund raising scholarship golf outing. Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mrs. Stanley to �o into executive session to discuss a property proposal. Motion carried. The Commission went into Executive Session at 11:40 a.m. The meeting resumed at 11:48 a.m. Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mr. Kuhn to accept staff's recommendation to decline Dr. Blaine's offer to donate Cabin Island at Maceday Lake to the Commission. Motion carried. 3-7 (Commission Meeting,.September 28, 1983) Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Stanley, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. Jean Fox Secretary Betty nest Recording Secretary 1 MO