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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1989.04.19 - 38847OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING April 19, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m. by Chairman Lewis Wint in the commission room of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation administration office. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Lewis Wint, Vice Chairman Jean Fox, Secretary Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Fred Korzon, George Kuhn, Richard Kuhn, Jr., Thomas Law, John Olsen, Richard Vogt COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Alice Tomboulian ALSO PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Central Services Waterford Oaks Paddle Club Oakland Parks Foundation Schmidt Copeland Parker Stevens Lions Club Ketchum, Inc. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ralph Richard, Manager Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager Joe Figa, Chief, Design and Development Steve Vanden Bossche, Engineering Aide Margit Beutel, Architectural Engineer Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf Dan Stencil, Chief of Parks Sue Wells, Recreation Supervisor Jackie McParlane, Recreation Supervisor Richard Eash, General Maint. Mechanic Carole Ann Lippincott, Intern Glen Dick, Director Dan Travis, Member Jay Reynolds, Member Fran Greenebaum, Executive Director Chris Nern, Trustee Patty Stevens, Project Manager Jack Becher Bill Carlton, Consultant Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mrs. Fox to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 5, 1989, with the following correction: Page 3 - 2: Under Platform Tennis Proposal, the last paragraph: "Commissioner Lewis suggested the Commission lease the property..." to read, "Commissioner Olsen suggested the Commission lease the property..." Secretary Lewis remarked that he had made the suggestion for the shorter payback period of five years. Motion carried. Commissioner Vogt arrived at 9:12 a.m. 3 - 1 (Commission Meeting, April 19, 1989) WATERFORD OAKS PADDLE CLUB PROPOSAL: As directed at the April 5 meeting, staff and members of the Waterford Oaks Paddle Club met to address the concerns the Commission had regarding the Club's proposal for the construction of new platform tennis courts at Waterford Oaks. The new proposal was distributed to each Commissioner prior to the meeting. It included a new annual fee structure ranging from $150-180 on current memberhip, which will amortize the County's investment in ten years; utility and maintenance costs to be paid by the County; and priority use of the courts by the Club. The Club is anticipating the donation of two (2) courts through the Oakland Parks Foundation; that donation has been appraised at $38,310.00. Staff recommended the following: Make the agreement with the club itself, rather than the individual participants; the club have a minimum annual fee of $7,500; and the club pay their utility costs for each season. Commissioner Olsen noted that he was not in favor of the current proposal and made the following suggestion: Figure out a rate structure that is reasonable and covers costs at some point. The Commission would agree to accept the two donated courts and pay to move and install them. The club would lease the land for one year, start with the two courts for one year with a reasonable fee to play, and as the sport becomes more popular and gains more support, the club could make a commitment to add two courts. Commissioner Olsen also noted that the Commission will be accepting the two courts as a publlc facility and will put money into the facility to make it viable, charge a fee; if there is another league that is interested in playing and paying, that would also be acceptable. In recognition of the club's contribution, the Waterford Oaks Paddle Club would be given priority scheduling for the league hours they need. Moved by Mr. Olsen, supported by Mr. Lewis to accept the donation of two platform tennis courts and authorize staff to move them to and install at Waterford Oaks at a cost not to exceed $25,000. The Waterford Oaks Paddle Club will pay a yearly fee of $6,300, with an escalator clause for increased membership; and in recognition of the Club's contribution to this facility, they will have priority use of the courts. Further, this will not commit the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission in any way to building an additional two courts. A new pro- posal can be made to build two additional courts if there is a sufficient increase in membership and if the Club is confident they can make a commitment for them. The Commission will be responsible for all utilities and maintenance fees. Commissioner Vogt objected to the proposal, noting it looks like the Commission is financing a private club at a public facility. Vice Chairman Fox called for the question. 3 - 2 (Commission Meeting, April 19, 1989) ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Fox, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, Olsen, Wint (8) NAYS: Vogt (1) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried. Suggestions were made to the club members for future planning for a capital com- mitment for the additional two courts: Secretary Lewis suggested they charge their members an hourly fee to build up a fund for that purpose; and Commissioner Olsen suggested they consider their $150 fee an "advance" rather than an "annual" fee --if you play more, you pay more. Mr. Travis thanked the Commission for their time and commitment to working out an agreement with the Club for the platform tennis facility. FEASIBILITY STUDY - ORION OAKS: Bill Carlton, Ketchum, Inc., distributed copies of the Orion Oaks feasibility study to the Commission and staff. He reviewed the study findings based on the 88 interviews conducted, noting the public's image of the Parks and Foundation, opinions of the plan, fund raising strength, willingness to give and/or serve, and proposed timing. The study included 12 recommendations, covering establishing a minimum capital campaign goal of $3 million; that the Oakland Parks Foundation be designated the exclusive agency for conducting and/or coordinating the fund raising program for Orion Oaks; that the campaign should focus on the construction of the pool/activity center, track, activity fields and the courts; and that the campaign leadership be identified no later than September, 1989. Commissioner Olsen voiced his concern with the capital campaign goal of $3 million vs the $18 million total project cost; Mr. Carlton noted that the $3 million figure is an achievable, realistic goal. Mr. Carlton also stressed the importance of forming a strong leadership to head the capital campaign. Staff and Commission questioned Mr. Carlton on specific points of the study and the interviewees understanding of the park's proposed concept; timing and planning aspects of the capital campaign were also discussed. Commission directed staff to place this issue back on the agenda in the near future to address the Commission's concerns and to consider how the Commission wishes to proceed with the project. U.S. ARMY RESERVE TRAINING SITE REQUEST - GROVELAND OAKS: Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Fox to approve the U.S. Army Reserve's request to use Groveland Oaks as a mobilization site in the event of an emergency and for learning operations during 1989. Motion carried. 3 - 3 (Commission Meeting, April 19, 1989) BIDS: As per the information filed in the agenda, the following bids were approved: Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mrs. Fox to award the bid for the pur- chase of 100 lbs. of Bentgrass seed, 1,000 lbs. of Ryegrass seed, 1,000 lbs. of Kentucky Bluegrass seed, and 600 lbs. of Red Fescue seed for the golf courses for 1989 from the low bidder, Benham Chemicals, in the amount of $3,786.00. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to split the bid for the purchase of the annual supply of 9 turf chemicals for the golf courses and award to the low bidder for 8 items, Benham Chemicals, for $6,752.82, and award to Turfgrass for one item no other vendor was able to quote on for $645.00. Total purchase price for all of the chemicals is $7,397.82. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Law to award the contract for the renovation of the electrical control system and to purchase some replacement and additional sprinkler heads for the irrigation system at Springfield Oaks Golf Course to the low bidder, Dutton Irrigation, in the amount of $62,455.00. Motion carried. MANAGER'S REPORT: In addition to the Manager's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted: ---Received a letter from Highland Township Supervisor Tom Dunleavy thanking the Commission for the courtesy passbook he recently received for use at the Oakland County Parks. ---Received a letter from Chuck Ross thanking the Commission for their gift and retirement luncheon. ---Copies of the new summer fun booklet were distributed. The coupons in the booklet are for various activities throughout the parks and will be used for prizes and donations. ---Recreation Supervisor Jackie McFarlane announced that the wheelchair basketball team, Sparks, won 2nd place at the national tournament held in Connecticut the weekend of April 6. The team thanked the Commission for their support and the telegram wishing them good luck in the tournament. The next Commission meeting will be Wednesday, May 3, 9 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. Karen Smith Secretary Recording Secretary 3 - 4