HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1998.10.07 - 39046OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
October 7. 1998
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 Commission's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman Ruth Johnson, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., George Kuhn,
Nancy McConnell, Frank Millard, Jr., Charles Palmer, Richard Skarritt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Fred Korzon, J. David VanderVeen
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Purchasing
Velodrome Group
Independence Township Resident
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Jon Kipke, Assistant Manager
Frank Trionfi, Chief, Administrative Services
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf Operations
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design and Development
Sue Delridge, Chief of Recreation
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Rob Rhein, Buyer
Dale Hughes, Member
Linda Babbish
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve the minutes of the public hearing
of September 2, 1998, as written.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mrs. Johnson to approve the minutes of the meeting of
September 2, 1998, with the following corrections:
Page 3 - 1, change the meeting call to order time to 9:14 a.m.
Page 3 - 2, add the following to the motion for the Approval of Payments: "and the
Interdepartmental Payment Register for June, 1998."
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, October 7, 1998)
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Independence Township resident Linda Babbish expressed her concerns over the Commission's plans for
the proposed organized youth group camping area at Independence Oaks and its subsequent effect on the
park's last remaining undisturbed meadow, and appealed to the Commission to leave that area undisturbed.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to approve the payment of Payment
Register for the Report Period FM 11 FY 1998 (August, 1998) and the Interdepartmental
Payment Register for April, May, and June, 1998, plus July, 1998, and August, 1998.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Palmer, Skarritt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Statement of Operations for the month ending August 31, 1998, was accepted as filed.
ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Report for August, 1998, was accepted as filed.
PROPOSED VELODROME:
Mr. Dale Hughes gave a brief history of the cycling sport and of his organization, and reviewed details of a
proposed partnership with Oakland County Parks to build a velodrome in one of the county parks. The
Velodrome Group would commit to a donation of $400,000 toward a total cost of $600,000 to $650,000 to build
the facility; parking and restroom facilities would be an additional cost to the Commission.
Due to budget constraints over the next three years with funds obligated for the development of Lyon Oaks,
staff noted that no additional funds are available to commit to this project.
Commission directed staff to conduct additional research for funding sources, including Oakland County
Economic Development, Ford, or other corporate sponsorships. Staff will also contact Greg Simmons for grant
possibilities, then will prepare a feasibility study for the December meeting.
LYON OAKS UPDATE:
---Staff attended the September 16 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board of Trustees Meeting,
reviewing the proposed development of Lyon Oaks. With recommendations from their staff, the Board
approved the golf course; an agreement stating those recommendations/stipulations will be drawn up.
Executive Officer Richard noted that this process begins an administrative procedure for the state preventing
changes in the scope of future grants.
---The Department of Natural Resources has approved the appraised price for the 13-acre Rizzolo parcel at
$465,000 plus moving expenses. However, the township is currently attempting to rezone the entire park to
recreational, including the 38-acre parcel in the northeast corner of the park that is currently zoned light
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(Commission Meeting, October 7, 1998)
industrial. The rezoning will affect the value of the Rizzolo's property and the future value of the 38-acre
northeast corner. The township has tabled the issue until the next meeting.
Commission directed staff to contact the township by telephone and let them know the Commission feels
strongly about keeping the 38-acre portion of the park zoned light industrial. If the township questions the
verbal request and a letter is required, Chairman Lewis will sign one on the Commission's behalf.
---Staff is still waiting for the results of the environmental assessment phase II on the Kaufman property.
AMENDMENT TO THE 1998 OPERATING BUDGET:
Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. McConnell to approve the transfer of $117,779
from the 1998 Operating Budget Contingency, a transfer of $26,221 from the Red Oaks
Waterpark Lands and Grounds Maintenance Line Item, plus a transfer of $16,000 from the
Administration Building Maintenance Line Item, for a total transfer amount of $160,000 to the
following budget centers: $70,000 to the Waterford Oaks Waterpark; $5,000 to The Fridge
at Waterford Oaks; $14,000 to the Waterford Oaks BMX; $55,000 to Mobile Recreation; and
$16,000 to the Springfield Oaks Activities Center. These transfers are made in accordance
with the Commission's 1998 General Appropriations Act, which incorporates the Uniform
Local Budgeting Act.
AYES: Johnson, G. Kuhn, Lewis, McConnell, Millard, Skarritt (6)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
BUILDING STUDY - SPRINGFIELD OAKS ACTIVITIES CENTER:
Copies of the study summary and recommendations from 1983 were distributed to the Commission.
After discussion, staff was directed to research solutions on the acoustics in the smaller multi -purpose room,
including baffles and systems that provide white noise, and bring back to the Commission for consideration.
REAL ESTATE:
Executive Officer Richard reviewed information on a 188.81-acre parcel of land that touches the northeast
corner of Independence Oaks and includes Upper Bushman Lake.
Staff expressed interest in approaching the owner to determine their interest in the possibility of selling to the
county parks through a grant process. Commission requested staff investigate and bring back additional
information at a future meeting.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Executive Officer's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted:
---Assistant Manager Kipke reviewed the evaluation received on the Mill Pond Dam in Davisburg, noting many
of the small repairs will be completed by staff, while a contractor will be required for the culvert and spillway.
Also, Earth Tech's services will be continued for assistance with other engineering options.
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Springfield Township assisted with costs the last time repairs were necessary for the dam; staff will approach
them again, once we know what options are available to us, to see if they would be willing to help us again.
---Staff has received a check from SCAMP in the amount of $4,593.50 as the Parks' portion of the proceeds
from the SCAMP/Wint Outing in September.
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 1998, at the administration office.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m.
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Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary
Karen Kohn, Recording Secretary
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