HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2001.02.07 - 39088OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
February 7, 2001
Chairman Pecky Lewis called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. in the commission room of the Parks and
Recreation's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Fred Korzon, Thomas Law, John McCulloch,
Ruel E. McPherson, Charles Palmer, J. David VanderVeen, Richard V. Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Vice Chairman Richard Skarritt
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland Co. Planning/Economic Develop.
Oakland County Corporation Counsel
Oakland County Purchasing
Oakland County Sportfishing Association
Michigan Mountain Bike Association
West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
City of South Lyon
Friends of Clinton River Trail
Citizens Group — Trails
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
Desiree Stanfield, Public Communications Assistant
Larry Falardeau, Principal Planner
Keith Lerminiaux, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Joseph Colaianne, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Mike Kreza, Buyer
Bruce Tufford, Member\
Todd Scott, President
Dan Navarre, Director
Rod Cook, City Manager
Dan Keifer
Jerry Carvey
Chairman Lewis welcomed Shelley Taub as new member to the commission. She is serving her fifth term as
Oakland County Commissioner and replaces Charles Palmer on the Parks Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Mr. R. Kuhn, supported by Mr. McCulloch to approve the minutes of the meeting
of January 3, 2001, as written.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, Vogt (8)
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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(Commission Meeting, February 7, 2001)
PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mr. Vogt to approve the payment of the Payment
Summary, which includes: the Interdepartmental Journal Voucher Register for October,
November, and December 2000 (FQ1, FY2001); the Oak Management, Inc. Credit
Register for October, November, and December 2000 (FQ1, FY2001); and the Payment
Register, which includes the Voucher Report Period for December, 2000 (FM3, FY2001),
and the CIP (408) Voucher Report Period for December (FM3, FY2001).
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Combined Statements of Operations for the months ending October 31, November 30, and December
31, 2000, were accepted as filed.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGET UPDATE:
The Capital Improvement Projects Budget Update as of December 31, 2000, was accepted as filed.
ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Report for December, 2000, was accepted as filed.
DONATION PRESENTATION:
Administrator — Parks Operations Dan Stencil reported that the Oakland County Sportfishing Association has
donated $1,000 to the Parks Commission, bringing their donations over the years to a total of $10,250. On
behalf of the Parks Commission, Mr. Stencil presented the OCSA member Bruce Tufford with a plaque in
sincere appreciation for their continued support and assistance in developing fishing opportunities at the
Oakland County Parks.
TRAILS:
Oakland County Planner Larry Falardeau presented current information on existing and proposed trail
systems throughout the county.
Mr. Dan Keifer, Friends of Clinton River Trail, spoke in support of the linear trail system and requested the
Parks Commission adopt a policy embracing linear paths, get involved in the pathways currently underway,
and work with all relevant groups to seek the passage of a county -wide funding mechanism for the paths.
Mr. Todd Scott, Michigan Mountain Bike Association, also supportive of the Parks' involvement, mentioned
the problem of 175 and M59 as barriers to safe biking.
South Lyon City Manager Rod Cook, another supporter, reminded all to ensure the trails are accessible.
West Bloomfield Parks Director Dan Navarre remarked on the importance that we all look at the regional plan,
noting his concern that several pieces of land involved could be sold to developers. He requested the Parks
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(Commission Meeting, February 7, 2001)
reconsider our position on how we view trails as we work together on this regional plan, seeing the Parks
Commission "join the team."
Commissioners discussed different aspects of involvement in the linear trail system, including finances,
coordination, acquisition, and maintenance. Staff was directed to contact other county agencies around the
country to survey their involvement, study the different aspects discussed, and bring back recommendations
to the Commission.
BIDS:
Moved by Mr. Korzon, supported by Mr. Kuhn to award the following bids as per the
information filed in the agenda and as recommended by staff and Purchasing:
Purchase and installation of an aboveground, 2,000-gallon, double -compartment gasoline/
diesel storage tank for Lyon Oaks to the low bidder, H. Domine, in the amount of $17,118.86,
plus a five percent contingency of $856.00, for a total budgeted amount of $17,974.86.
Two Cushman utility Trucksters for Independence Oaks and Lyon Oaks W. F. Miller in the
amount of $15,357 each, for a total purchase price of $30,714.
Approval of the contract costs for the installation of two wells for the modern restrooms at the
Lyon Oaks Golf Course to Mike Lalone, Inc., for a total contract amount of $11,876.60.
Two replacement Hustler mowers for Addison Oaks and Independence Oaks in the corrected
amount of $30,834 for one complete mower and $27,159 for a mower without the mower
deck; total approved purchase amount is $57,993.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Moved by Mrs. Taub, supported by Mr. McPherson to adjourn the meeting to an Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing a proposed property acquisition.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned to an Executive Session at 10:15 a.m.
The meeting was re -convened at 11:15 a.m.
Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Taub to authorize staff to act in accordance with
discussion in Executive Session.
AYES: Kuhn, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (7)
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(Commission Meeting, February 7, 2001)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
ORION OAKS MASTER PLAN:
Chief of Design and Development Joe Figa updated the Commission on the status of the master plan revision
for Orion Oaks.
NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND AMENDMENTS:
Executive Officer Richard reviewed four amendments to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund as
proposed by the Natural Resources Commission.
Staff has reviewed these changes and requested Commission adopt a resolution in support of three of them.
Staff did not recommend support of a fourth proposed amendment, which would allow a change in the
distribution percentage from 75/25 for acquisition/development to up to 50/50 for acquisition/development.
Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Taub to adopt the following resolution in support of
proposed amendments to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund:
WHEREAS, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) has been an
extremely important source of grants for significant parks and recreation acquisition and
development projects for a period of 30 years; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has a long and
proud tradition of supporting and protecting the integrity of the MNRTF; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the
importance of both acquisition and development grants for parks and recreation agencies
throughout the state of Michigan; and
WHEREAS, as acquisition is clearly a very high priority, we favor the MNRTF keeping the
acquisition and development distribution at its current 75/25 percentage.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission officially adopts a position in favor of the following proposed changes to the MNRTF:
1. Raise the cap on the Trust to $500,000,000 from $400,000,000.
2. Continue using 1/3 of royalty revenues until the cap is reached by removing the
$200,000,000 provision.
3. Add language permitting the use of equity investments in managing the corpus.
AYES: Kuhn, Lewis, McCulloch, McPherson, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (7)
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:
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(Commission Meeting, February 7, 2001)
The Horton Farm property in Holly has a potential buyer; staff will be notified if the sale is finalized.
The next regular Commission meeting will be 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2001.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Secretary Karen Kohn CPS, Recording Secretary
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1. Ping & Economic Development.
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the Parks & Recreation Comma Friends of ClintonMichigan
by Rochester Hills,
248.652.1434
Friends of Clinton Diver Trail
719 S. Fieldstone Dr.
Rochester Hills MI 48309
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February 7, 2001
Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Chairman, and All Members
Oakland County Parks & Recreation Commission
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford MI 48328
Dear Commissioners,
My purpose in contacting you today is to encourage your consideration of an active role for the
Oakland County Parks & Recreation Commission in the coordination, development and
operation of linear parks in our county.
Doing so would be very timely indeed. The needs and interests of many walking/hiking/cycling
enthusiasts all across the county have come together with a once -in -a -lifetime opportunity to
build a county -wide system of linear parks and trails which will create untold recreational
benefits and quality of life for thousands of residents.
First, the opportunity. Oakland County's trails and linear parks will one day become part of the
seven -county project known as the Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative. This initiative has
been years in the making, the vision of a partnership of organizations which includes the DNR,
SEMCOG, the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, Oakland County's own
Planning & Economic Development Department and many more. Just last year, The Southeast
Michigan Greenways Initiative was designated by Governor Engler as the State of Michigan's
"Millennium Legacy Trail", an official program endorsed by the White House and the National
Park Service. When this vision is realized, Oakland County residents will be able to hike, bike,
walk, run, ski for 20; 30; 50 miles or more on a system of safe, secure corridors of natural
greenspace which link communities and important recreational/cultural destinations like parks
and downtown community centers.
Second, the needs and interests. I doubt it is any news to this Commission that the health and
fitness of our nation's citizens are at serious risk. As was just reported in last week's Time
magazine, more than 60% of Americans are obese or overweight. One in four Americans gets no
regular exercise at all. As a nation, and as a county, we all eat too much, exercise too little, are
too busy and too stressed to enjoy to the fullest the quality of life which is available to so many
of us.
One reason for this lack of regular exercise is the difficulty to fit it into our daily routines and
busy schedules. Well, that's the beauty of linear parks and trails. They are close to home to
many, many people. They encourage the very kind of exercise which is recommended for
sedentary Americans: walking, cycling, jogging. They connect us to our neighborhoods,
workplaces, main streets, and open spaces in a way that we seem to have lost touch with. And,
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they are "24 x 7" in operation, available to residents literally any time that's convenient for
them to recreate within their busy lifestyles.
One can honestly speak of the tremendous growth in popularity of linear parks/trailways as a
"movement." Nearly 2,000 rail -trails already exist or are in some stage of development
nationwide. Over 100 million Americans used rail -trails in 1996, it's been estimated. The most
heavily -used trail in the country, just outside Washington D.C., has over two million users
annually! I sort of backed into the trails business just a year ago in my own hometown of
Rochester Hills, and I am still astonished at the many, many individuals and organizations who
love to walk/hike/bike trails! Of course, trails are nothing new to our county. We have enjoyed
the Paint Creek Trail and the West Bloomfield Trail for years, and the Polly Ann Trail was just
added to our enjoyment last year. And, certainly trails are not new to you, since the Commission
has some very popular bike trails at a number of county parks.
So, if all this trail development is already happening, why should the Oakland County Parks &
Recreation Commission get involved with linear parks? The answer is simple: NO ONE
OTHER THAN OAKLAND COUNTY can provide the coordination, the management and the
leadership necessary to get all the pieces to fit together to realize the opportunity that we have.
There is a very real need for the County's voice and expertise with park and recreation assets to
be brought to bear in making a county -wide system possible.
A good example of this need for coordination and involvement at the County level is my #1
project, the proposed Clinton River Trail. This rail -trail will use 12 miles of abandoned
Canadian National Railroad property across the very heart of our County, traversing Rochester,
Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Pontiac and Sylvan Lake. IF we get it ... and that's a pretty big
IF!! ... it becomes a critical link which will "connect all the dots" so to speak: Paint Creek, Polly
Ann, West Bloomfield, together with the Huron Valley Trail in southwest Oakland County, the
Lapeer Polly Ann Trail and the Macomb Orchard Trail. That's just the trails it would connect,
not to mention all the neighborhoods, parks, schools, main streets and other community
destinations that would be brought together with this network of linear paths.
Although some of the pieces are in place (I'd be happy to provide you the details later, but refrain
now out of respect for your time), some very serious obstacles still remain. At the individual
city government level, these obstacles are exceedingly difficult to overcome. But, the
coordination and parks & recreation expertise which your Commission could provide would be
invaluable to achieving success.
In conclusion, Commissioners, I would ask for your consideration of the following three actions
going forward:
1. Adopt a policy which embraces linear parks and trailways as an official undertaking of the
Oakland County Parks & Recreation Commission.
2. Get actively involved with the trailways projects currently underway, especially seek
representation for the Commission in the series of meetings currently being chaired by Dan
Hunter and his staff at Oakland County Planning & Economic Development.
3. Work with all relevant groups, agencies and constituencies to seek the passage of a county-
wide funding mechanism for linear parks and trailways, most logically a .25-.50 mil tax.
This funding mechanism would be shared with participating communities as well as
directly used by the Parks & Recreation Commission itself in the acquisition, development
and maintenance of linear parks and trailways.
But, don't just take my word for it. There's many, many more residents and organizations all
across the County interested in developing a linear park/trailways system than just the five
communities I spoke of. Also here to speak with you today is J e ,,�i�€ayor of South Lyon
and a key proponent of the Huron Valley Trail; and, Todd Scott, a resiant of Royal Oak and
spokesman for literally thousands of cyclists in Oakland County with th Michigan Mountain
Biking Association and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
Thank you for your time and consideration of these matters. A COUI�
LINEAR PARKS AND TRAILWAYS IS A HUGE RECREATIONAL
WE NEED YOU! Let me turn things over now to Todd Scott.
Sincerely,
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