HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1998.12.02 - 39034OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
December 2, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. in the commission room of the
Parks and Recreation Commission's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Fred Korzon, Nancy McConnell, Frank Millard,
Jr., Charles Palmer, Richard Skarritt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Vice Chairman Ruth Johnson, George Kuhn, J. David VanderVeen
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Purchasing
Oakland County Facilities Engineering
Rouge River Program
Springfield Twp. Parks and Recreation
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Jon Kipke, Assistant Manager
Frank Trionfi, Chief, Administrative Services
Daniel Stencil, Chief of Park Operations
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf Operations
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design and Development
Sue Delridge, Chief of Recreation
Brian Menghini, Accountant II
Kathleen Dougherty, Parks Naturalist
Tim Kopka, Recreation Supervisor
Rob Rhein, Buyer
Steve Stanford, Maintenance Planner
James Ridgway
Dot Lalone, Commissioner
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Palmer to approve the minutes of the meeting of
November 4, 1998, with the following correction:
Page 3 - 3, the vote at the top of the page: after Mr. Skarritt's name as abstained, add the
following phrase: "because of his position as Chairman of the Road Commission for Oakland
County."
AYES: R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (6)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no questions asked by, nor comments received from, the public.
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Commissioner McConnell thanked the Commission for their calls, well wishes, and gift during her recent
surgery and subsequent recuperation.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to approve the payment of Payment
Register for the Report Period FM 01 FY 1999 (October, 1998); the Interdepartmental
Payment Register for September (FM 12 & 13, FY ending 9/30/98) and October, 1998 (FM
01, FY 1999); and the Oak Management, Inc. Credits for July, August, and September, 1998.
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
MICHIGAN WATERSHED BASED STORM WATER GENERAL PERMIT PROGRAM:
Mr. James Ridgway, from the Rouge Program Office, presented information regarding existing and proposed
storm water management requirements before the County, including the Parks Commission, and to request
approval of a resolution authorizing the Oakland County Drain Commissioner, as the delegated authority, to
apply for coverage on behalf of the County under the Michigan Watershed -based Storm Water General
Permit.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Millard to approve the following resolution granting
the Oakland County Drain Commissioner the authority to represent the Oakland County
Parks and Recreation Commission in applying for technical assistance and grants under the
Michigan -based Storm Water General Permit Program:
WHEREAS, since October 1995, the Drain Commissioner's office has been a
participant on a "task force" established by Federal District court Judge John Feikens to
address the short and long term water quality efforts of the communities located in the Rouge
River watershed to improve the water quality of the Rouge River; and
WHEREAS, in 1996 the Drain Commissioner's office introduced to Oakland County
cities, villages, and townships (CVTs) located in the Rouge Watershed, the "subwatershed
approach" concept for addressing and improving the water quality of the Rouge River; and
WHEREAS, under this approach, the regulatory agencies, Environmental Protection
Agency/Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (EPA/MDEQ), would issue a "general
storm water permit" to various subwatersheds of the Rouge River; and
WHEREAS, in September 1997 the Federal Court indicated its concern and
impatience as to the progress towards improving the river and proposed to issue an "Order
to Show Cause" against the counties of Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw and the CVTs in
the Rouge Watershed, which among other things, would address why a "formal organization"
or watershed -wide authority should not be established to address non -point source pollution
problems within the Rouge Watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Court has held the proposed "Order to Show Cause" in
abeyance until January 1999 while the Counties of Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw and
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(Commission Meeting, December 2, 1998)
CVTs located in the Rouge Watershed contemplate coverage under the Michigan's "general
storm water permit;" and
WHEREAS, the subwatershed approach for addressing non -point pollution contained
in .the general storm water permit offers a viable alternative to the court's proposed
watershed -wide authority and provides strong local control of management decisions; and
WHEREAS, the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project will
provide technical assistance and federal grants (up to 50% of the cost) for those communities
that choose to apply for coverage now with an opportunity to implement the most cost
effective approaches to meeting pollution abatement objectives; and
WHEREAS, the general storm water permit approach offers the County the
opportunity to establish its own priorities, propose their own schedules and integrate storm
water management practices into their ongoing operations and would allow the County and
CVTs to develop a plan of action that best meets the needs of the watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners established a Storm Water
Management Study Group to evaluate the merits of submitting an application for coverage
consisting of:
Drain Commissioner or his designee
Director of the Department of Human Services (or designee)
Director of the Department of Facilities Management
Director of the Department of Community & Economic Development (or designee)
Director of the Department of Management and Budget (or designee)
Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission (or designee)
Member of Board of Commissioners Planning & Building Committee
Member of Board of Commissioners Finance and Personnel Committee
WHEREAS, the Storm Water Management Study Group determined that the Drain
Commissioner's office was the most appropriate entity to coordinate storm water controls.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission grant the Drain Commissioner the authority to apply for coverage
under the Michigan Watershed -based Storm Water General Permit Program.
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Statement of Operations for FM 01, FY1999, for the month ending 10/30/98, was accepted as filed.
AUCTION REVENUE SUMMARY, 1998:
The Auction Revenue Summary for 1998 was accepted as filed.
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ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Report for October, 1998, was accepted as filed.
PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY SYSTEM:
Steve Stanford, from Oakland County Facilities Engineering, detailed a proposed pedestrian pathway system
for the Oakland County Service Center on the east and west sides of Telegraph Road. This pathway system
will link to Waterford Oaks County Park at the park entrance on Watkins Lake Road.
An ISTEA grant application is being submitted for a portion of the project funding; Mr. Stanford requested a
letter of support from the Parks Commission to be included with the grant application.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to authorize staff to prepare a letter of
support endorsing support of the submission of an ISTEA grant application by the Oakland
County Department of Facilities Management, Facilities Engineering Division for a proposed
pedestrian pathway system for the Oakland County Service Center.
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
EXHIBITS - LEWIS E. WINT NATURE CENTER - INDEPENDENCE OAKS:
Assistant Manager Jon Kipke reviewed the process followed in the selection of a firm from the Requests For
Proposal for the design, fabrication, and installation of the exhibits at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center.
Staff recommended awarding the contract to Exhibit Productions, Inc., of Dearborn, Michigan, in the amount
of $280,000, plus a ten percent contingency, for a total budgeted amount of $308,000. Mr. Kipke also noted
that there will be a couple of exhibit items built in house that are not included in this amount. Projected
completion date is the end of June, 1999.
Executive Officer Richard noted that he has a family member who is an employee at another branch office
of this firm.
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. McConnell to award the contract for the design,
fabrication, and installation of the exhibits at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center at
Independence Oaks to Exhibit Productions, Inc. In the amount of $280,000, plus a ten
percent contingency of $28,000, for a total budgeted amount of $308,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
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1999 OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT:
Moved by Mr. Millard, supported by Mr. Korzon to approve the transfer of $46,500 from the
1999 Operating Budget Contingency to the Red Oaks Waterpark, in accordance with the
Commission's 1999 General Appropriations Act, which incorporates the Uniform Local
Budgeting Act.
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
RECOMMENDED FEE CHANGES:
Staff reviewed proposed changes in the fees and charges for the 1999 season, noting changes for the
waterparks are a result of proposed operational changes with the tubes, and the golf courses are to correct
a staff oversight in the balance between 9 and 18-hole rates.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Korzon to approve the proposed changes in the fees
and charges for the 1999 season at the waterparks and golf courses, as recommended by
staff.
AYES: Korzon, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Commissioner Palmer noted that, for future reference, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is
expecting to approve a resolution at their next meeting which will require a public hearing for any budget
changes that will result in more than $50,000 in additional revenues.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Executive Officer's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted:
---Due to the unseasonably warm weather, the scheduled opening date for The Fridge may have to be delayed.
---Staff noted a correction in the Rescue Information Sheet, explaining the number in the "Over 60" group should
have been -0-, and the number in the "Unknown" category should have been 37.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recreation Supervisor Tim Kopka gave a brief demonstration of an automatic external defibrillator, a new piece
of emergency equipment being considered for the parks. Staff will be looking at staff training; purchasing,
insurance and liability costs; plus Risk Management's concerns, then will update the Commission with a
recommendation in the spring.
OLD BUSINESS:
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---Lyon Oaks Update: Consultants are close to a final design on the golf course clubhouse. Staff reviewed the
concept, noting the clubhouse has grown to almost 20,000 square feet; the consultants have been requested
to modify the plan to approximately 18,000 square feet.
The overall golf course plan is approved; details are being worked out.
Staff is working with the DNR on a conservation easement for the park, a requirement resulting from the grant
review, and will include preserving the rookery area. DNR wetland approval is expected in late January.
Commission requested staff consider a small scale of the plan be made to place at the different golf courses
in order to give the public a "preview" of the project.
---A draft of the 1999 master calendar was distributed; it will be placed on the January 6 agenda for discussion.
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 1999, at the administration office.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary
Karen Kohn, Recording Secretary