HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2002.01.09 - 39107OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
January 9, 2002
Chairman Pecky Lewis called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. in the commission room of the Parks
Commission's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Vice Chairman Richard Skarritt, Secretary Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Fred
Korzon, Thomas Law, Ruel E. McPherson, Shelley Taub, J. David VanderVeen, Richard V. Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
John McCulloch
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Corporation Counsel
Oakland County Planning
McKenna & Associates
Ludwig & Associates
Land Ethics, Inc.
Oakland County Sportfishing Association
Private Citizens
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Daniel Stencil, Administrator — Park Operations
Frank Trionfi, Administrator - Administration
Jon J. Kipke, Assistant Administrator
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Joseph Figa, Chief of Design and Development
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Sue Wells, Chief of Recreation
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Zayn Gregory, Architectural Engineer I
Michael Donnellon, Architectural Engineer I
John Ross, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Nina Misuraca, Associate Planner
Jim Keglovitz, Associate Planner
Terry Croad, Director of Design
Jim Ludwig, President
Peter Kumble
Chip Smith
Ron Robbins, Chairman, Charitable Programs
Kathie Binkley
Deb Froehlich
Susan Fried]
Private citizens Kathie Binkley, Deb Froehlich, and Susan Friedl voiced concerns about specific aspects
of the proposed Orion Oaks master plan, including the road along the northeast edge of the meadow,
pedestrian accesses, and a single access point.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Law to approve the minutes of the meeting of
December 5, 2001, as written.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
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NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Moved by Mr. Korzon, supported by Mr. Kuhn to approve the minutes of the public hearing
of December 5, 2001, as written.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
ACTIVITIES REPORT:
The Activities Report for the month of December, 2001 was accepted as filed.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Chairman Lewis requested Commissioner Law assume the position of Temporary Chairman for the purpose
of electing new officers for 2002.
Commissioner Law assumed the Chair and opened the floor to nominations for the office of chairman.
Moved by Mrs. Taub, supported by Mr. Vogt to re-elect Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. as Chairman
of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for 2002.
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Kuhn to close the nominations and cast a
unanimous ballot for Pecky D. Lewis, Jr.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Law opened the floor to nominations for the office of Vice Chairman.
Moved by Mr. Korzon, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to re-elect Richard Skarritt as Vice
Chairman of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for 2002.
Moved by Mrs. Taub, supported by Mr. McPherson to close the nominations and cast a
unanimous ballot for Richard Skarritt.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Law opened the floor to nominations for the office of secretary.
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Moved by Mr. VanderVeen, supported by Mrs. Taub to re-elect Richard D. Kuhn, Jr. as
Secretary of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for 2002.
Moved by Mr. McPherson, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to close nominations and cast
a unanimous ballot for Richard D. Kuhn, Jr.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Chairman Lewis re -assumed the Chair.
THANK YOU:
Chairman Lewis thanked Commissioner Law for his years of services on the Parks Commission, especially
noting his contribution in initiating the improved working relationship between Oakland County Parks and
the Huron -Clinton Metroparks.
After several other commissioners noted additional contributions made by Commissioner Law, he thanked
everyone and related his enjoyment of serving on the Oakland County Parks Commission.
DONATION PRESENTATION:
Administrator — Park Operations Dan Stencil introduced Ron Robbins, president of the Oakland County
Sportfishing Association, who presented the Commission with a check in the amount of $1,000.
These funds, which now total $11,250 in donations to the Commission, will be used to increase fishing
opportunities and dock improvements at Orion Oaks.
GRANT APPLICATIONS:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to authorize staff to proceed with the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Inland Fisheries grant application for a 50/50
matching grant up to $60,000 for fishing access improvements at Rose Oaks and for
pontoon boats and handicap fishing programs at Independence Oaks. Commission also
authorized staff to proceed with the grant application to the William and Myrtle Hess
Charitable Trust for a $10,000 grant to construct an educational shelter facility at
Independence Oaks.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
2002 MASTER CALENDAR:
The proposed 2002 master calendar was distributed for review and recommended changes at the next
meeting.
ORION OAKS MASTER PLAN:
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Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Law to adopt the revised master plan for Orion
Oaks, as presented.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
OVERALL RECREATION MASTER PLAN:
Chief of Design and Development Joe Figa noted that the Parks Commission's overall recreation
master plan, which must be revised and sent to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to
allow us to apply and qualify for grants, has a deadline of March 1 for completion and submission.
Peter Kumble and Chip Smith from Land Ethics, Inc., consultants, presented some key bullets for
Commission consideration and discussion. A draft of the master plan has been prepared; staff will
review and then forward to the Commission in time for review for possible adoption at the next
Commission meeting.
PARKLAND PRIORITY MODEL:
Zayn Gregory, Architectural Engineer in the administration's Design and Development Section, updated
the Commission on the process and criteria used in the parkland priority model and presented a model
developed based on the set criteria.
Commission concurred to have staff continue with the project and proceed to prioritize the targeted parcels
for future acquisition consideration.
Staff noted that the information provided in this model will also be included in the Commission's overall
recreation master plan.
DISABILITIES TODAY TELEVISION PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP:
Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Korzon to approve the expenditure of $4,000 for a
six-month sponsorship of the "Disabilities Today" television program, which promotes
social and recreational opportunities for the physically and mentally impaired in
metropolitan Detroit.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
CONTRACT AMENDMENT:
Moved by Mrs. Taub, supported by Mr. Korzon to approve the amendment to the contract
with Land Ethics, Inc. by adding an additional not -to -exceed amount of $25,000 to conduct
a countywide trails assessment study, for a total contracted amount of $49,000. Funds for
this additional amount of $25,000 for the trails assessment will be transferred from the
2002 Operating Budget Contingency to the Administration Contracted Services line item;
there is also an anticipated reimbursement from the Oakland County Planning and
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Economic Development of $10,000, plus an anticipated reimbursement from the Huron -
Clinton Metropolitan Authority of $5,000.
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
SOCRRA PROPOSED RESOLUTION AMENDMENT:
Executive Officer Ralph Richard updated the Commission on the negotiations for the sale of the SOCRRA
property to the George W. Kuhn Drainage District since Mr. Richard's December 13, 2001 letter to the
Commission. SOCRRA representatives are requesting Commission consideration of an amendment to the
Parks Commission's December 5, 2001 resolution in order to move forward on this project.
Moved by Mr. VanderVeen, supported by Mr. Law to adopt the following resolution, which
amends the Parks Commission's December 5, 2001 resolution and to notify the Southeast
Oakland County Resource and Recovery Authority that if the conditions are not met by
January 31, 2002, the Red Oaks Golf Course restoration project will be abandoned.
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2000 the Parks & Recreation Commission adopted a
resolution where it committed funding to restore the Red Oaks Golf Course and pay for the
restoration over the next 20 years in conjunction with bonding of the George W. Kuhn
Drain Project, subject to the following conditions: (1) the Oakland County Parks &
Recreation millage was secured throughout the 20-year period, (2) the George W. Kuhn
Drainage District's acquisition of the 18+/- acres from SOCCRA and (3) any restoration
required as a result of future drain improvements will not require Parks & Recreation
Commission funding; and
WHEREAS, the George W. Kuhn Drainage District and the Southeastern Oakland
County Resource Recovery authority are currently negotiating the acquisition of the
property by the drainage district; and
WHEREAS, SOCRRA adopted a resolution that the property acquisition by the
Drainage District is subject to the condition that current and any restoration and alteration
of the Red Oaks Golf Course be the financial responsibility of the Oakland County Parks
and Recreation Commission regardless of the need to restore or alter; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the positions of the parties there is an impasse.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission reaffirms its commitment and resolution to fund the restoration of the Red
Oaks Golf Course necessitated by the improvements presently being constructed for the
George W. Kuhn Drain and to pay for the restoration costs over the next 20 years in
conjunction with the bonding of the George W. Kuhn Drain Project ("Project") or by some
other loan on terms acceptable to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission,
subject to the following conditions:
(1) during the period of time the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission is paying off over a period of twenty (20) years or less either the Project
or other loan related to the current restoration costs of the Red Oaks Golf Course,
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the GWK DD will be solely responsible for any golf course restoration costs resulting
from future drain improvements that occur during that period;
(2) for ten (10) years thereafter, the GWK DD and the Parks and
Recreation Commission agree to share equally the costs of any future golf course
restoration resulting from any drain improvements that occur during that period; and
(3) thereafter, Parks and Recreation Commission will be solely
responsible for golf course restoration costs, if any, that may result from future drain
improvements;
(4) Nothing in this resolution shall be construed to require the Parks and
Recreation Commission to operate the Red Oaks Golf Course for any finite period
of time.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission authorizes its staff and the
Department of Corporation Counsel to negotiate with the GWK DD an agreement to
implement this resolution and to obtain funding necessary to restore the golf course;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the May 3, 2000 resolution is amended to
incorporate the foregoing.
Moved by Mr. McPherson to table the motion.
The motion to table failed for lack of support.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION:
AYES: Korzon, Kuhn, Law, Lewis, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: McPherson (1)
A majority having voted, the motion carried.
CHILDREN'S WATER PLAY STRUCTURE THEMING — RED OAKS WATERPARK:
Moved by Mr. Kuhn, supported by Mr. Law to approve the purchase of custom painting of
the structure and dumping bucket for the main children's water play feature at the Red
Oaks Waterpark to SCS Interactive Inc. in the amount of $6,435.00.
AYES: Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
4-WHEEL DRIVE PICK-UP TRUCK:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to approve the lease of a 4-wheel
drive pick-up truck for snowplowing and maintenance at Lyon Oaks County Park through
the Oakland County Motor Pool Fund.
AYES: Kuhn, Law, Lewis, McPherson, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
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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
---Staff has been contacted by officials from the city of Farmington Hills regarding a possible sewer
easement request at Glen Oaks. Staff will consider negotiating for rebuilding #4 green in exchange for this
easement, or possibly approving limited access to our old Greening Road gate. Talks are in the preliminary
stage; staff will update the Commission as discussion progresses.
---The abandonment of Clairview Drive, along with the sale of the county's portion of the right-of-way to
Grand Sakwa, has been completed. Commission concurred with staffs recommendation to use the funds
from that sale for additional cart paths at Glen Oaks; therefore, staff will transfer $50,000 from the Capital
Improvement Projects Contingency to the Glen Oaks Cart Path Extensions Project.
---Executive Officer Richard updated the Commission on the progress of the Campground Expansion
Project at Addison Oaks and the Waterpark Expansion Project at Red Oaks.
---Staff has contacted the New Hope Bible Church on Sashabaw Road near Independence Oaks regarding
the possibility of negotiating a maintenance access easement to the organizational youth camping area in
the park. Staff will keep the Commission apprised of progress on this project.
---Executive Officer Richard requested Commission consideration for possible recommendations for use
of the courtesy passbooks as they relate to Lyon Oaks.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m.
The next Commission meeting will be 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2002.
c�
Richard Kuhn, Jr., Secretary Karen S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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