HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2005.11.02 - 39156OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
November 2. 2005
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. 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 J. David VanderVeen,
Hugh D. Crawford, Vincent Gregory, Martin Knollenberg, Charles Palmer, John Richards, Suzette
Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
John McCulloch
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Parks and Recreation Ralph Richard, Executive Officer
Daniel Stencil, Administrator — Parks Operations
Frank Trionfi, Administrator — Parks Administration
Joe Figa, Chief of Design and Development
Mike Donnellon, Architectural Engineer II
Oakland County Corporation Counsel
Oakland County 4-H Fair
Oakland County Management & Budget
Oakland County Fiscal Services
City of Southfield
Caribou Coffee
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Clyde Herb, Chief of Parks
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Sue Wells, Chief of Recreation
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Jon Noyes, Architectural Engineer I
John Ross, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Dave Coleman, President
L.C. Scramlin, General Manager
Art Holdsworth, Deputy Director
Tim Soave, Manager
Bill Waterhouse, Parks and Recreation Director
Sara Toro
There were no public comments or questions.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve the minutes of the
meeting of October 5, 2005, as written.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Lewis, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
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(Commission Meeting, November 2, 2005)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Richards, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve the Payment
Approval Summary, including:
- Internal Service Funds Payment Register for September (FM 12 & 13, FY
2005)
- Payment Register for September (FM 12 & 13, FY 2005).
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Lewis, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
ACTIVITY REPORT:
The Activity Report for the month of September was accepted as filed.
AWARD PRESENTATION:
Caribou Coffee — Chief of Recreation Sue Wells reported on the collaboration with Oakland
County Parks and Caribou Coffee, noting Caribou Coffee's donation of coffee for the Bark Parks'
canine coffee hours, sponsorship of the dog swim at th�,waterpark, and their involvement with the
2005 Special Park Districts Forum. On behalf of the Parks Commission, Sue presented Sara Toro
from Caribou Coffee with a plaque in sincere appreciation for Caribou Coffee's efforts in
generating interest in the Parks system.
National Recreation and Park Association — Administration of Parks Operations Dan Stencil
announced the Parks Commission was recognized by the Great Lakes Regional Council of the
NRPA with a partnership award for our efforts in preserving the historic Ellis Barn. Mr. Stencil
presented the Commission with the plaque awarded during the recent NRPA Congress in San
Antonio, Texas.
H B 5247:
Information was distributed on House Bill 5247 which, if passed, would require counties to assume
the state's financial obligation to park authorities.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt a resolution in opposition to
this legislation.
In addition to supporting the Board of Commissioners in opposition of this legislation,
Commissioner Vogt suggested the state be urged to reinstate the payments to the park
authorities.
Moved by Mrs. Vogt, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to support the Oakland County
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(Commission Meeting, November 2, 2005)
Board of Commissioners' resolution in opposition to House Bill 5247, plus to urge
the state to reinstate the payments to the park authorities.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PEOPLESOFT UPDATE:
Administrator — Parks Administration Frank Trionfi updated the Commission on the status of the
transition to the county's new PeopleSoft financial software program. Mr. Trionfi informed Mr.
Holdsworth just prior to the meeting that no Fiscal Services staff have been available to assist
when Parks staff have been there to input invoices.
Fiscal Services Deputy Director Art Holdsworth acknowledged their staff have been unable to
work with Parks staff, and that it may be another month or two before they are able to take over
the invoicing. He also noted that Parks staff have been documenting payment exceptions and
working very hard to get up to speed on the new process.
Parks and Fiscal Services staff are scheduled to meet on Friday, November 4 to discuss the
granting of temporary security access to the Parks staff to allow input from our office here, with
January 1, 2006 as a tentative target date for the "official" transfer of invoicing to Fiscal Services.
Parks staff will also continue to document the payment exceptions.
JO N
The City of Southfield has been given the option to purchase the 22-acre Catalpa Park parcel by
December 31, 2005, or the parcel would be eligible for sale on the open market. This parcel is
owned by the County and has been leased to the City for many years. The County is interested
in selling the parcel, which is valued at an estimated $660,000 to $1,100,000.
Commissioner Gregory expressed concern that the parcel could be sold for development;
therefore, he questioned the possibility of the Parks Commission purchasing the parcel to ensure
it remains open space.
Commissioner VanderVeen noted County Executive L. Brooks Patterson wants to work with the
City to allow Southfield to purchase the parcel at acceptable terms.
Commissioner Palmer suggested the Parks Commission recuse themselves from any involvement
in the negotiations for the Catalpa Park property.
Commissioners Gregory and VanderVeen will keep the Commission updated on this issue.
JUNIOR GOLF:
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(Commission Meeting, November 2, 2005)
Chief of Golf Mike Thibodeau reported on the current activities provided for youth at the county
golf courses, along with the following proposed programs for 2006:
Continue with all our existing programs and discount fees.
Conduct the same junior program at Lyon Oaks.
Offer free golf to juniors ages 17 and under with the following conditions: After4 p.m. on
Saturday and Sunday only; must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.
Commission concurred with staff's recommendation, plus recommended the program be
promoted through the schools.
BID ITEM: GOLF CARS — WHITE LAKE OAKS AND GLEN OAKS:
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Skarritt to award the purchase of 76 golf
cars for White Lake Oaks and Glen Oaks to the low bidder, Club Car, in the
amount of $269,420, less trade-in of 76 cars in the amount of $76,000, for a total
purchase price of $193,420.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
DNR URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT ACCEPTANCE RESOLUTION:
Moved by Mr. VanderVeen, supported by Mr. Gregory to adopt the following
resolution in support of the acceptance of a DNR Urban and Community Forestry
Grant to assist in the Emerald Ash Borer tree replanting in the county parks:
WHEREAS, Oakland County Parks have been severely impacted by the
effects of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks staff has applied for and been
awarded a reimbursement grant from the 2005 Emerald Ash Borer Tree Planting
Grant Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources;
and
WHEREAS, the Tree Planting Grant will assist in current efforts by Oakland
County Parks staff to replace trees that have been infested by the Emerald Ash
Borer; and
WHEREAS, the Tree Planting Grant and current tree planting efforts by
Oakland County Parks staff do not require an expenditure from the Oakland
County General Fund; and
WHEREAS, the reforestation of parklands is consistent with established
priorities in the 2002 Parks and Recreation Master Plan;
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(Commission Meeting, November 2, 2005)
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Oakland County Parks
and Recreation Commission supports the acceptance of the $4,250.00 Tree
Planting Grant award for the benefit of Oakland County Parks and the residents
of Oakland County with matching' funds to be designated from the one -quarter mil.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt (9)
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:
---Due to a lack of items on the proposed agenda for November 16, the Parks Commission
meeting was cancelled.
---Oak Management is no longer discussing a five-year addition to the concession contract; the
current contract will remain in effect until its current termination date of December 31, 2015.
Information was provided on the financial commitment made by Oak Management to the Parks
Commission since the renovation of Glen Oaks, plus an analysis of Oak Management concession
rent and sales since the beginning of the contract.
---Staff has not yet received information on the status of our grant application through the
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the acquisition of the Highland property.
Announcement date is now expected to be December 6.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
The next Commission meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2005.
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JnderVeen, SecretaryDavidaKaren S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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