HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1988.03.16 - 38839OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
March 16, 1988
The special meeting with the Orion Oaks consultants was called to order at 9:15
a.m. by Chairman Lewis Wint in the Parks and Recreation Commission's conference
room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Lewis Wint, Vice Chairman Jean Fox, George Kuhn, Richard Kuhn, Jr., Thomas
Law, Ralph Nelson, John Olsen, Richard Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Secretary Pecky Lewis, Jr., Daniel Murphy
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Schmidt -Copeland & Assoc.
UCS of Metro Detroit
Bradford Woods
National Park Service
Michigan Special Olympics
Township of Orion
Oakland Parks Foundation
MOBILE STAGE:
Ralph Richard, Manager
Jon Kipke, Assistant Manager
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Joe Figa, Chief, Design and Development
Dan Stencil, Chief of Parks
Jacklyn McParlane, Recreation Supervisor
Susan Wells, Recreation Supervisor
Kathleen Dougherty, Parks Naturalist
Jeff Kindel, Intern
Patty Stevens
Todd Schmidt
Thomson Heinrichs
Gary Robb
Dave Park
Nancy Joseph, Executive Director
JoAnn Van Tassel, Supervisor
Fran Greenebaum, Executive Director
As per the information filed in the agenda, the following bid item was approved:
Moved by Mrs. Fox, supported by Mr. G. Kuhn to award the bid for the
purchase of a Century mobile stage for Mobile Recreation to the low
bidder, Jennings, in the amount of $39,170.00.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Nelson, Olsen, Wint, Fox (7)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
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(Commission Meeting, March 16, 1988)
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Chairman Wint introduced special guests Gary Robb of Bradford Woods, Dave Park
of the National Park Service, and Thom Heinrichs from United Community Services
of Metropolitan Detroit.
Chairman Wint stated that the purpose of this special meeting was to reach an
agreement on the unresolved issues pertaining to Orion Oaks.
Substantiate the need.
Jackie McParlane distributed a packet of information containing preliminary program
outlines and planning schedules for the park. She included a housing capacity
for the park, along with a summary of the project use based on figures received
from the questionnaires sent by the consultants and workshops held.
Amount of focus on special populations.
Jackie requested Commission consideration of another term to replace "special
populations" when referring to the park. She noted that the term is generally
perceived by the public as meaning "handicapped" or "disabled," and the park should
not be labeled as such. Another name offered for consideration was "Orion Oaks
Outdoor Education and Conference Center." Vice Chairman Fox also suggested calling
it simply "Orion Oaks," as the park will become known on its own merit.
Handicapped groups are interested in using a facility capable of providing for
their needs without limiting them in any way, but not one designed specifically
for them, segregating them from the general public. The facility should be barrier
free, or universally designed, which will accommodate everyone's needs. If designed
properly, you should not be able to recognize that it was constructed in any way
differently; the new administration office building is an example. Cost for con-
structing a universally -designed facility has been quoted at approximately 1%
higher than regular construction.
Commissioners questioned the amount of use that can be realistically expected
by the physically and mentally handicapped, which was quoted at 10 - 30%. The
Commission was advised against programming exclusively for the handicapped, which
would not be practical. If the facility is designed with the universal concept
in mind, it will help the marketability of the facility, plus make it usable for
the general public.
Programmed public use vs. walk-in public use.
Mr. Robb noted that, in regards to the question of programmed public use vs. walk-
in public use, unless the facilities are physically segregated they are not com-
patible. The consultant's preliminary plan reflecting the two separate areas
will accommodate both the programmed and walk-in groups comfortably.
Walk-in public day use activities planned for the park include cross-country skiing,
picnicking, fishing and boating.
The question of adequate security control was raised if we allow lake access
and provide ski trails through the park for the general public --concern that they
may possibly "wander" into the areas reserved for the programmed groups. Staff
felt that, if we provide the ski and boat rentals, that control should provide
the necessary security.
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(Commission Meeting, March 16, 1988)
Commissioner Law expressed his concern about the cost to use the facility. Mr.
Heinrichs noted that utilization will affect the fees. Can consider three rate
structures --subsidized, break even, and for profit --depending on each group's
ability to pay.
Orion Township Supervisor VanTassel complimented the Commission on its efforts
in addressing the Township's concerns of public safety and in preserving the park's
natural resources. She also felt the residents would be pleased with the cross-
country skiing and buffered areas planned for the park.
Moved by Mr. Nelson, supported by Mr. Olsen to amend the permanent records
from the Commission meeting of December 2, 1987, to read as follows:
"Moved by Mr. Olsen, supported by Mr. Nelson to authorize the consultants,
Schmidt -Copeland and Associates, to proceed with the design concept
of Orion Oaks as a universally -designed programmed public use facility,
which includes some limited day uses."
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: R. Kuhn, Law, Nelson, Olsen, Vogt, Wint, Fox, G. Kuhn (8)
NAYS: (0)
A suffient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Schmidt -Copeland will now complete the master plan project as follows:
1. Refine plan
2. Commission review
3. Township review
4. Public hearing
S. Commission final approval
6. Phase I design and funding
7. Implementation
INDEPENDENCE OAKS WETLANDS GRANT EXTENSION:
Staff requested Commission approval to extend the deadline of the Michigan Land
Trust Fund Grant #603 for the Independence Oaks Wetlands Acquisition to accom-
modate the delays encountered in getting the appraisals completed on the purchase
of the 48 +/- acres.
Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Fox to approve the following
resolution:
WHEREAS the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission entered
into an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
as a grant recipient for MLTF #603 Independence Oaks Wetlands Acqui-
sition, and
WHEREAS the grant recipient has requested an extension of the land
acquisition deadline because of a delay in the acquisition process,
and
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WHEREAS the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has agreed
to this extension.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission does agree to fulfill the requirements as set
forth in the project agreement addendum #5.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m.
Pecky D. Lewis, Jr.
Secretary
Karen Smith
Recording Secretary
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