HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2005.10.05 - 39157OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
October 5, 2005
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. called the meeting to order at 9:07 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, John McCulloch, Charles Palmer,
Suzette Vogt
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
John Richards
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Corporation Counsel
Oakland County 4-H Fair
Oakland County Management & Budget
Oakland County Executive Administration
Road Commission for Oakland County
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Daniel Stencil, Administrator — Parks Operations
Frank Trionfi, Administrator — Parks Administration
Mike Donnellon, Architectural Engineer II
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Clyde Herb, Chief of Parks
Janet Pung, Public Communications Officer
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Brian Menghini, Accountant III
Jon Noyes, Architectural Engineer I
Marge Gatliff, Trails Network Coordinator
Jamie Rustowicz, Lewis Wint Nature Center Intern
John Ross, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Dave Coleman, President
Laurie VanPelt, Director
Art Holdsworth, Deputy Director
Tim Soave
Bob Daddow, Deputy Executive
Ron Kinney
There were no public comments or questions.
Administrator — Parks Operations Dan Stencil introduced Jamie Rustowicz, who is studying
outdoor education and earth science from Central Michigan University and serving as an intern
at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Gregory to approve the minutes of the
meeting of September 7, 2005, as written.
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AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Palmer to approve the minutes of the
Public Hearing of September 7, 2005, as written.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mr. Skarritt, supported by Mr. Gregory to approve the Payment Approval
Summary, including:
- Internal Service Funds Payment Register for August (FM 11, FY 2005)
- Payment Register for August (FM 11, FY 2005).
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
The Combined Statement of Operations through the month of August (FM 11, FY 2005) was
accepted as filed.
ACTIVITY REPORT:
The Activity Report for the month of August was accepted as filed.
PEOPLESOFT UPDATE:
Commission was updated on the status of the implementation of the county'sPeopleSoft software
program, along with meetings held with Oakland County Fiscal Services. Staff indicated there was
confusion in the interpretation of the discussion and direction from the September meeting and
requested Commission clarification for direction.
After discussion, Commission directed staff as follows: during the 90-day transition period, Parks
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staff will go to Fiscal Services and input invoices there. During that time, staff will evaluate the
process to uncover exceptions, plus address problems and concerns.
After the transition period, the critical issue of internal control will be addressed.
POSITION OF OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS GOLF COURSES IN PUBLIC RECREATION:
Public Communications Office Jan Pung presented a revision of the white paper stating the
position of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission's golf courses in public
recreation. The paper included background information, public input substantiating the need and
demand, financial commitment, partnerships, fair pricing practices, economic benefits, and how
the parks serve populations with special needs.
Commissioners recommended several additional minor changes to be incorporated into the final
document.
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mr. Crawford to approve the white paper
entitled, "The Position of Oakland County Parks Golf Courses In Public
Recreation," incorporating the changes as discussed.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
CANINE TRAINING CENTER — INDEPENDENCE OAKS:
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has contacted staff, requesting consideration to develop a
canine training facility at Independence Oaks.
Staff has designated an area of approximately two acres in size and located in a non-public area
behind the maintenance building at the park. The facility would be used year round and
periodically at night; other agencies would participate in occasional joint training sessions.
Cost for the upgrades to the site will be borne by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
Staff is working with Assistant Corporation Counsel John Ross on a use permit for this canine
training facility. Staff will also follow up with the Sheriff's Office on protocols for the use of firearms
and fireworks with the training.
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. McCulloch to authorize staff to negotiate
a use permit with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for a canine training facility
at Independence Oaks.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
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NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
ELLIS BARN UPDATE:
Design and Development staff provided a brief update on the progress of the Ellis Barn Relocation
project, noting the barn is expected to be substantially complete in November.
WHITE LAKE OAKS CLUBHOUSE:
Design and Development staff provided a brief update on the progress of the construction of the
White Lake Oaks Clubhouse, noting the project should be complete by May.
SULLIVAN PROPERTY WETLAND MITIGATION:
Design and Development staff member Jon Noyes provided additional information on the
questions raised at the September meeting on the proposed wetland mitigation project at Addison
Oaks — valuation of the mitigation credit and the impact of the conservation easement.
Mr. Noyes noted a conservation easement would be required for the 125 acres proposed in this
mitigation. The easement, however, can be designed to fit whatever future needs the Parks
Commission thinks may be required, including a road. Also, preservation is compatible with the
uses proposed to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners when the property was being
considered for acquisition.
Mr. Ron Kinney, from the Road Commission for Oakland County, provided a history of the wetland
mitigation program, explaining the different allowances — creation, replacement, preservation —
and shared some of the features of the proposed mitigation at Addison Oaks that make this
project unique. He also shared information on the basis for the proposed easement valuation of
$70, 000.
Commissioner McCulloch suggested that, because of this unique situation, we hire an outside
expert to help determine this value. Paul Dove from the Drain Commission can provide names as
referrals for this determination.
Mr. Kinney noted that the agreement should be completed and provided to the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality within the next three months.
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to direct staff to work with
Oakland County Property Management staff to hire a qualified independent
appraiser to determine the value of the 125-acre conservation easement at
Addison Oaks.
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Knollenberg, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Skarritt, VanderVeen, Vogt
(9)
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NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
TRAILS UPDATE:
Marge Gatliff, Trails Network Coordinator, updated the Commission on accomplishments achieved
by the Oakland County Trails Advisory Council since its inception in 2003, along with upcoming
special events scheduled throughout the different trail systems.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Executive Officer's Report filed in the agenda, the following was noted:
---Closing on the Sullivan property acquisition is scheduled for today, October 5, at 1:30 p.m.
Chairman Lewis and Administrator — Parks Operations Stencil will be attending.
---As a result of miscommunication between Oakland County Parks and the Huron -Clinton
Metropolitan Authority, the fee for the 2006 joint parks pass will be $43 rather than the $45
approved by the Parks Commission during the budget review process.
---Former Parks Director R. Eric Reickel will be inducted into the MRPA Hall of Fame October 6.
A congratulatory photo plaque was prepared and will be presented to him on behalf of the
Commission and staff.
---Mr. Stencil reported on the policy set by staff for a special reduction in fees of Mobile Recreation
units rented specifically for use as fund raisers for Hurricane Katrina/Rita relief.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m.
The next mmission meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2005.
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J. David VanderVeen, Secretary Karen S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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