HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1999.06.02 - 39057OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
June 2, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 9:08 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 Richard Skarritt, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Fred Korzon,
Eric Coleman, George Kuhn, Thomas Law, Nancy McConnell, Charles Palmer, J. David VanderVeen
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Purchasing
Oakland County Personnel
Oakland County Facilities Management
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Manager
Frank Trionfi, Chief, Administrative Services
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design and Development
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Sue Delridge, Chief of Recreation
Daniel Stencil, Chief of Parks
Danielle Oles, Intern
Derek Lackman, Intern
Bob Rhein, Buyer
Nancy Scarlet, Manager, Human Resources
Mike Hughson, Property Management Technician
Moved by Mr. VanderVeen, supported by Mr. G. Kuhn to approve the minutes of the meeting
of May 5, 1999, as written.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no questions asked by, nor comments received from, the public.
INTRODUCTION:
Chief of Recreation Sue Delridge introduced Danielle Oles and Derek Lackman from Central Michigan
University, who are working as interns in the Recreation Section for 13 weeks.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Korzon, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to approve the payment of the Payment
Register, including Voucher Report for the Period FM 07 FY 1999 (April, 1999) and the CIP
Voucher Report for the Period FM 07 FY 1999 (April, 1999).
3-1
(Commission Meeting, June 2, 1999)
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen (10)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Combined Statement of Operations for the month ending April, 1999, was accepted as filed.
ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Report for the month of April was accepted as filed.
1999 OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Palmer to approve the transfer of $3,384 from the
1999 Operating Budget Contingency to the Technical Support Small Tools line item, $12,000
from the 1999 Operating Budget Contingency to the Waterford Oaks Tennis Complex Part-
time Salaries line item, and $1,200 from the 1999 Operating Budget Contingency to the
Waterford Oaks Tennis Complex Fringe Benefits line item, in accordance with the
Commission's 1999 General Appropriations Act, which incorporates the Uniform Local
Budgeting Act.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
LYON OAKS BIKE PATH:
Chief of Design and Development Joe Figa noted that the Huron Valley Trailway Council, the organization that
was granted the easement along Pontiac Trail at Lyon Oaks for the installation of a bike path, is requesting
the bike path be installed at a width of 12 feet in accordance with new federal guidelines. Representatives of
the Council relayed to Mr. Figa that the grant they received for funding assistance with this project requires
a minimum of 10 feet; however, the Council has recommended a 12-foot width in response to safety issues.
Staff and Commission expressed concern over the 12-foot width, noting the increase in probability of
motorized vehicles using the path, aesthetics, plus the increase in maintenance and liability.
Staff recommended the path no wider than 10 feet, which is the width currently in use at Kensington
Metropark.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Coleman to table the Lyon Oaks bike path width
recommendation until the June 23, 1999 meeting, and have representatives from the Huron
Valley Trailway Council present with facts and answers on the issues discussed.
AYES: Coleman, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (8)
NAYS: Korzon (1)
3-2
(Commission Meeting, June 2, 1999)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
DETROIT EDISON EASEMENTS - INDEPENDENCE OAKS:
As noted at the last meeting, Detroit Edison is requesting easements be granted for all the existing electrical
lines at Independence Oaks that did not have easements established at the time of installation. The
documents have been reviewed by Property Management and Corporation Counsel; staff recommended
approval.
Commission questioned whether, if Detroit Edison no longer needs a line, we can request they vacate the
easement. Commission also requested language be included providing for notification when Detroit Edison
schedules to clear and possibly for providing restoration. Mr. Hughson from Facilities Management indicated
that language would be incorporated and forwarded to Detroit Edison for their approval.
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Palmer to approve easements be granted to Detroit
Edison for the existing electrical lines at Independence Oaks that did not have easements
established at the time of installation with the inclusion of language that Detroit Edison
vacates any line if it no longer becomes necessary, provide timely notification when they
schedule to clear and to provide restoration, if possible.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - LYON OAKS:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to approve the transfer of $24,078 from the
Capital Improvement Projects Contingency to the Lyon Oaks Golf Course/Day Use
Development Project for the reimbursable costs to Becket and Raeder Inc.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Mr. Figa explained that there will be additional reimbursable costs for further wetland construction staking
TWELVE TOWNS DRAIN PROJECT - RED OAKS:
Staff requested Commission authorization to send a letter to the Oakland County Drain Commission
requesting a commitment from their office for the restoration of the Red Oaks Golf Course and Red Oaks
Waterpark parking lots once the proposed Twelve Towns Drain Project has been completed.
Commission George Kuhn updated the Commission on the status of the project and stated the Drain office
is working towards the goal of Red Oaks' restoration.
Assistant Manager Jon Kipke noted that our current lease on the property states the Parks Commission must
make repairs from disruptions at our cost; however, nothing in the lease addresses a project of this magnitude.
3-3
(Commission Meeting, June 2, 1999)
Moved by Mr. Law, supported by Mr. Palmer to authorize staff to send a letter to the Oakland
County Drain Commission requesting the Drain Commission's commitment for the
restoration of the Red Oaks Golf Course and Red Oaks Waterpark parking lots after the
completion of the Twelve Towns Drain Project.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
General Government Committee Chairperson Shelley Taub contacted staff expressing her concern over the
number of questions that may be placed on the August 1, 2000 presidential primary ballot; she strongly
suggested the Parks Commission adopt a resolution as soon as possible requesting the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners' authorization to have the parks millage renewal question placed on that ballot.
Discussion followed on specific concerns, including the length of the millage and consideration for a separate
land acquisition/improvement millage. Commissioner R. Kuhn requested staff provide approval percentages
from previous millages for informational purposes.
Commissioner McConnell suggested getting approval for placement on the ballot now; and, if necessary, a
decision can be made to change the length of the millage after we receive the results from the upcoming
survey.
Moved by Mr. Law, supported by Mr. Coleman to adopt the following resolution for the
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission millage renewal for 1/4 mill for ten years:
WHEREAS, the one -quarter voted millage for the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation areas in Oakland County will expire after the year 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has requested
the question to be placed on the ballot at the August 1, 2000 Primary Election for the
continuation of the one -quarter (1/4) mill for an additional ten (10) years for the purpose of
improving and/or constructing suitable parks and recreation facilities; and
WHEREAS, your Committee concurs in said request.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the
County of Oakland, State of Michigan, as follows:
That there shall be submitted to the Electors of the County of Oakland at the Primary
August Election to be held on the 1st day of August, 2000, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, the following proposition:
"Shall the constitutional tax limitation on the total amount of general
ad valorem taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes upon
real and tangible personal property in Oakland County, Michigan, be
increased as provided in Section 6, Article IX of the Constitution of Michigan
3-4
(Commission Meeting, June 2, 1999)
for a period of ten (10) years from 2002 to 2011 both inclusive, by one -quarter (1/4) mill,
twenty-five (250) cents per One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars of the assessed valuation as
finally equalized for the purpose of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining parks
and recreation areas in Oakland County, Michigan (such increase being a renewal of the
one -quarter (1/4) mill increase which expires in 2001)?"
That each City and Township Clerk shall give notice of the
submission of the aforesaid proposition by including same in the election
notice for the said Primary August Election, which notice shall contain the
statement of the Oakland County Treasurer as to previously voted tax
limitation increases affecting property within the County of Oakland.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Chairman Lewis announced the receipt of a donation of $4,000 from the Waterford Oaks BMX Parent
Association to People For Parks, which will be used for purposes of promoting the Parks' millage renewal.
COMPUTERS:
Executive Officer Richard acknowledged the letter received by Commissioners from Management and Budget
Director Bob Daddow regarding the computer costs discussed at the May 5 Commission meeting. Mr. Richard
noted staff is continuing to meet with and work with Information Technology on our costs, but is also exploring
other options, including purchasing our own computers.
NEXTEL:
Assistant Corporation Counsel John Ross notified staff that he has received correspondence from another
representative of Nextel, who is interested in continuing negotiations for the cellular antennas on the water
tower at Springfield Oaks. Mr. Ross requested Commission authorization to proceed with additional
negotiations, if interested, under the same terms of a revocable license.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mrs. McConnell to authorize Corporation Counsel to
continue negotiations with Nextel for the cellular antennas on the water tower at Springfield
Oaks under the same terms of a revocable license as previously directed by the Commission.
AYES: Coleman, Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION:
Executive Officer Richard presented a proposed department reorganization plan, which will restructure the
management team in order to better meet the current and future needs of the department.
3-5
(Commission Meeting, June 2, 1999)
Mr. Richard reviewed the proposed reclassifications, retitles, and responsibility changes, then noted the
changes will result in approximately $10,500 in additional salaries annually. He requested Commission
approval of the reorganization package, which will then be forwarded through the appropriate committees for
final approval by the Board of Commissioners.
Commission was assured that details had been worked out with Personnel, and that the proposed changes
were consistent with other county classifications and comparable with other county functions.
Commissioner Palmer noted that it was important not to do this outside of the budget process.
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Korzon to approve the proposed administration
management reorganization changes, to be forwarded for final approval by the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners.
AYES: Coleman, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McConnell, Palmer, Skarritt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Executive Officer's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted:
---Rededication of the Lewis Wint Nature Center will be Wednesday, August 4, directly after the Commission
meeting there that morning.
---The Oakland County Sheriff has requested approval for the Parks to provide an office in the old administration
building for the Mounted Division.
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 1999.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary Karen Kohn, Recording Secretary