HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1996.05.22 - 39006OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
May 22. 1996
The meeting was called to order at 9:12 a.m. by Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. in the commission room of the
Parks and Recreation's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman Ruth Johnson, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Nancy
McConnell, Lawrence Pernick, Kay Schmid, Richard Skarritt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
George Kuhn, L. Brooks Patterson
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
O. C. Central Services
O. C. Board of Commissioners
O. C. Auditing Division
OCSD-Parks Division
Janz & Knight
Jacoby Golf Development
Past Parks Commissioner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Manager
Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager
Frank Trionfi, Chief, Admin. Services
Dan Stencil, Chief of Parks
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Joseph Figa, Chief of Design and Development
Sue Delridge, Chief of Recreation
Jan Pung, Public Communications Officer
Brian Menghini, Accountant I
Heather Blumerick, Intern
David VanderVeen, Director
Sue Ann Douglas, Commissioner
Jim Fitzpatrick, Manager
Joe Lambourn, Sergeant
Donald VanLoo, CPA
John Mackey
Kent Jacoby
John E. Olsen
Moved by Mrs. McConnell, supported by Mrs. Schmid to approve the minutes of the meeting
of May 1, 1996, with the following corrections:
Page 3-4, first paragraph (motion for Oak Management contract interest charge): Delete the
phrase, "or at a rate established and approved by the Commission".
Page 3-4, second paragraph (motion for Oak Management contract interest charge): Delete
the phrase, "in excess of $30,000".
AYES: Johnson, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Pernick, Schmid, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Minutes of the Commission Retreat, held on April 19, 1996, were accepted with the following correction:
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(Commission Meeting, May 22, 1996)
GOLF PRESENTATION:
Mr. Kent Jacoby of Jacoby Golf Development reported on his firm's experience in golf course development,
including Devil's Ridge Golf Course in Oakwood.
He presented his views on the possibility of entering into a partnership to develop a golf course at Orion Oaks
in an area of the park that does not conflict with the park's master plan development, noting revenues from
the golf course would help fund the development of the rest of the park.
The proposed partnership would include the Commission owning a controlling interest of at least 50%,but
would not be a management contract limited to a number of years.
Commission noted that we have never participated in a partnership of this type with the private sector before
and would have to carefully consider all aspects before setting that precedent.
Commissioner McConnell requested staff investigate with Corporation Counsel whether or not a financial
arrangement of this kind can be done with public land.
Commission thanked Mr. Jacoby for his time in presenting his proposal, noting they will take this issue under
consideration.
PARK PROPERTY APPRAISAL:
Chief of Administrative Services Frank Trionfi presented background information on the park property
appraisals performed by Industrial Appraisal Company and requested Commission approval to continue with
this contract for another five years. Cost for this service will be $8,900, with annual update fees of $850 each.
Commission raised several concerns including why it's necessary to have a reappraisal if we have updates
performed annually; why Risk Management is requesting we have this done if other county departments are
not doing so; and, if we must have this done, why isn't this put out to bid.
Commission directed staff to invite a representative from Risk Management to the next Commission meeting
to answer these questions.
30TH ANNIVERSARY FREE PARK ENTRY DAY:
Moved by Mrs. McConnell, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve a free vehicle park entry day
at Addison Oaks, Groveland Oaks, and Independence Oaks on Tuesday, July 30, 1996, to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission.
AYES: Johnson, Lewis, McConnell, Pernick, Schmid, Skarritt (6)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
DEPARTMENT AUDIT:
Jim Fitzpatrick, manager of Auditing, reviewed the information he presented to the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners Audit Committee on the Parks' performance review.
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(Commission Meeting, May 22, 1996)
Auditing's review covered the department's standards, policies and procedures and strategic planning. Mr.
Fitzpatrick cited as examples of the department's good planning/working tools the Commission/staff retreat
and the Excellence Network program, plus mentioned as a good tool for the consumers the department's
annual report.
Mr. Fitzpatrick requested Commission consideration to participate in the national accreditation program for
agencies in parks and recreation. This program involves a review by parks and recreation officials from
across the country. Once accredited, the department will have higher quality standards that would become
our benchmark. Oakland County Auditing would spend more time on the financial portion of the Commission's
review.
Staff will report back with additional information on the accreditation program at the next meeting.
AWARD PRESENTATION:
Chairman Lewis presented a plaque to past parks commissioner John Olsen in appreciation of his ten years'
of service to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission.
STAFF INTRODUCTION:
Chief of Recreation Sue Delridge introduced Heather Blumerick, the department's intern from Michigan State
University, who is majoring in natural resources management.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Manager's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted:
---Manager Richard noted that a Mr. Dick Williams has been interviewed as a possible replacement to
coordinate the Lewis Wint Golf Outing.
Since this event will be organized through the Parks rather than the Oakland Parks Foundation, additional
costs and considerations were reviewed and discussed.
Commission concurred not to hold the outing this year.
NEW BUSINESS:
---Camp Franklin Acquisition Proposal: Staff has been notified by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources regarding the nomination for the acquisition of Camp Franklin. The application was submitted by
the Friends of Bald Mountain at an estimated cost of $440,000.
This 140-acre parcel in Lake Orion has approximately % mile of frontage on Long Lake with developed
recreational open space. This same site was reviewed as a potential acquisition several years ago.
If the Commission wishes to pursue this acquisition, a grant application would have to be submitted by July
1, 1996 for this year's funding, or by April 1, 1997 for next year's funding.
Commission concurred not to pursue the acquisition of this parcel.
---Copies of letters from Chief of Parks Dan Stencil to local residents around Orion Oaks and Lyon Oaks were
distributed. These letters are sent periodically to keep the residents informed of what's happening.
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(Commission Meeting, May 22, 1996)
The next meeting will be 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 1996.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary
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Karen Smith, Recording Secretary
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