HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2000.12.06 - 39068OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
December 6, 2000
Chairman Pecky Lewis called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. in the commission room of the Parks and
Recreation's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman Richard Skarritt, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Fred Korzon,
George Kuhn, Thomas Law, Ruel E. McPherson, J. David VanderVeen, Richard V. Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Charles Palmer
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Purchasing
RBI 23, LLC
Private Citizen
Orion Township
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Daniel Stencil, Administrator — Operations
Frank Trionfi, Administrator - Administration
Jon Kipke, Assistant Administrator
Joseph Figa, Chief, Design and Development
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Sue Wells, Chief of Recreation
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Bob Rhein, Buyer
Tim Birtsas, Owner
Lori Brown CPA
Jerry Dywasuk, Supervisor
Rock Blanchard, Parks Director
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve the minutes of the meeting of
November 1, 2000, as written.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, Skarritt (6)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ms. Lori Brown, a local historical preservationist, distributed correspondence from Dave Ciolek, barn wright,
regarding the Ellis Barn in Springfield Township. Mr. Ciolek included an estimate of $675,000 to dismantle,
move, and reconstruct the barn at a new location. He also offered additional information on maintenance costs
and a suggestion for establishing a capital improvement fund.
Ms. Brown noted that additional cost information must be quantified before the owner's can apply for a grant;
ie, foundation and excavation. A commitment for the barn's new home must also be in place before a grant
application can be completed.
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(Commission Meeting, December 6, 2000)
Staff has met with Fair Oaks, who is working on the master plan for the park site at Springfield Oaks, including
whether or not — and how — the barn will fit in.
Before addressing this issue again, the Commission requested the following:
• Written information from Fair Oaks/4-H on their support and use of the barn if it were to be relocated at
Springfield Oaks.
• Is 4-H interested in picking up the balance of funding above the grant?
• Is Springfield Oaks the right location for the barn?
• Answers to the Commission's original questions of who will pay for the relocation; what it will cost the
Commission for maintenance; and the interest in using the barn.
• Aesthetics may be needed to be addressed, also, as they relate to the proposed galvanized roof.
PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to approve the payment of the
Payment Summary, which includes: the Interdepartmental Payment Register for August
and September 2000 (FM11 and 12, FY 2000); the Journal Voucher Register for July,
August, and September, 2000; the Operating Transfers Register for July, August, and
September, 2000; the Oak Management, Inc. Credit Register for July, August, and
September, 2000; and the Payment Register. The Payment Register includes the
Voucher Report Period for September, 2000 (FM13, FY2000) and October, 2000 (FM1,
FY2001), and the CIP (408) Voucher Report Period for September (FM 13, FY 2000) and
October (FM1, FY2001).
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
AWARD PRESENTATION:
Chairman Lewis remarked that, by virtue of being the Oakland County Drain Commissioner for 28 years,
Commissioner George Kuhn has also served as Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Commissioner Kuhn is retiring from public service, so Chairman Lewis took this opportunity to thank and
commend Commissioner Kuhn on his service to the Parks, and presented Commissioner Kuhn with a plaque
in appreciation for his service from 1973 through 2000.
Commissioner Kuhn responded that he has served since the Parks system was just a few years old and has
seen it grow to one of the best systems throughout the country. He thanked everyone for their outstanding
cooperation and noted what a pleasure it has been to serve on this board.
Several commissioners spoke in testimony to Mr. Kuhn's years of public service, noting his honesty, integrity,
cost -saving efforts to the county, and his willingness to listen to people's concerns.
ORION TOWNSHIP/ORION OAKS CLARKSTON ROAD SAFETY PATH:
Orion Township Parks Director Rock Blanchard reviewed the proposed safety path project along Clarkston
Road and the matching TEA-21 grant for which they are re -applying. Mr. Blanchard requested the Parks'
support of this cooperative project once again by adopting a resolution which will commit the Parks to a
financial obligation of $132,069 for our portion of the project.
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(Commission Meeting, December 6, 2000)
Commission expressed concern over the township's recent action regarding the Orion Oaks master plan, and
the spirit of cooperation which they seek today for the proposed safety path. There must be an understanding
by the Orion Township Board that the Parks' interest is in seeking recreational opportunities for all Oakland
County residents, not merely the Orion Township residents. Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk conceded there must
be an education process for their board members regarding this issue.
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. R. Kuhn to adopt the following resolution in support
of the Clarkston Road safety path project:
WHEREAS, the residents of Oakland County have demonstrated a long-standing
commitment towards bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and
WHEREAS, a safety path along Clarkston Road between Joslyn and Baldwin
roads is included in the Orion Oaks County Park master plan; and
WHEREAS, this path will provide a scenic non -motorized transportation route
linking several public recreation facilities and community service centers to Orion Oaks
County Park; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Transportation administers the TEA-21
grants program which provides funding for non -motorized facilities including bicycle and
pedestrian pathways; and
WHEREAS, the Clarkston Road path has been discussed at an open meeting on
December 4, 2000, of the Charter Township of Orion Board and prior to that, at the Orion
Township Safety Path Advisory Committee, and the public was afforded an opportunity to
review and comment on the application for funding.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission supports the application for a Michigan Department of
Transportation TEA-21 grant to construct a non -motorized path along the south side of
Clarkston Road and agrees to provide a local match of up to $132,069 of the total project
cost.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission authorizes the Director of Orion Township Parks and Recreation as the
designated project representative.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Moved by Mr. VanderVeen, supported by Mr. McPherson to reach a cooperative
understanding with the Township of Orion regarding the development of the Orion Oaks
master plan.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, December 6, 2000)
RED OAKS UPDATE:
Executive Officer Richard showed a brief video of the drain expansion construction begun around the Red
Oaks Waterpark.
Chief of Design and Development Joe Figa noted that the Requests For Proposals on the golf course's
clubhouse design and construction drawings are still under review waiting for additional information on some
of the firms. A recommendation will be made at the January meeting.
BID:
As per the information filed in the agenda, the following bid was approved as recommended by staff and
Purchasing:
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Skarritt to award the bid for the repairs of the 1988
mobile stage to the manufacturer, Century Industries, in the amount of $5,065.26.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
NO SMOKING POLICY:
Staff requested Commission consideration of a no smoking policy for inside the waterpark areas at Red Oaks
and Waterford Oaks. Current policy prohibits smoking in the locker room and where you purchase food; staff
would like a more extended area.
Discussion followed on policies at other waterpark facilities and within the parks.
Moved by Mr. Korzon, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to adopt a policy of a completely non-
smoking environment within the fenced -in areas of the Red Oaks and Waterford Oaks
Waterparks.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen (7)
NAYS: Vogt (1)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. McPherson to adjourn the meeting to an Executive
Session.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, December 6, 2000)
The meeting was adjourned to an Executive Session at 10:41 a.m.
The meeting was re -convened at 10:57 a.m.
GRANT APPLICATION:
Moved by Mr. G. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Vogt to have staff proceed with a grant application
for the 575-acre parcel discussed in the Executive Session.
AYES: Korzon, G. Kuhn, R. Kuhn, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (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:
---Copies of a proposed courtesy park pass policy were distributed. Mr. Richard noted that a couple of
changes were made for clarification purposes; otherwise it is as approved at the November 1 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Commissioner McPherson reiterated his concern that staff study the possibility of future development of
olympic sports.
The next regular Commission meeting will be 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2001.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary Karen Kohn CPS, Recording Secretary
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