HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2007.04.18 - 39197OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
April 18, 2007
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. called the special meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. in the commission room of
the Parks and Recreation Commission's administration office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Secretary J. David VanderVeen, Hugh D. Crawford, Vincent Gregory,
Eileen Kowall, John McCulloch, Charles Palmer, John Richards, Shelley G. Taub
ABSENT:
Vice Chairman Richard Skarritt
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Facilities Management
Oakland County Corporation Counsel
Southfield Parks and Recreation
South Oakland County Soccer Assoc.
Detroit Free Press
Southfield Sun Newspaper
Detroit News
INTRODUCTION:
Daniel Stencil, Executive Officer
Sue Wells, Administrator — Parks & Rec. Operations
Joe Figa, Chief of Design and Development
Janet Pung, Communications & Marketing & Officer
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Suzanne Kici, Office Assistant
Mike Hughson, Property Management Specialist
John Ross, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Bill Waterhouse, Director
Matt Ciaramitaro, President
Julie Edgar, Reporter
Jennifer Brock, Reporter
Maureen Feighan, Reporter
Executive Officer Dan Stencil introduced staff member Sue Kici, who will serve as a backup to record
minutes at parks commission meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public questions or comments.
URBAN RECREATION INITIATIVE PRESENTATION
Commission viewed a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed Urban Recreation Initiative, which
focuses on analyzing current conditions and future potential for recreation in existing and growing areas of
Oakland County.
Parks Executive Officer Dan Stencil noted staff hopes to have the Initiative complete by late
summer/early fall.
CATALPA PARK —RESOLUTION:
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Gregory to adopt the following resolution in
support of the assignment of the custody, control, and management of Catalpa Park to
the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission:
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(Special Commission Meeting, April 18, 2007)
WHEREAS, Catalpa Park, located in Southfield, has been used for 28 years by residents
from throughout the region for recreation; and
WHEREAS, Oakland County purchased the 28.42-acre parcel from the Berkley School
District in 1964, to locate an office for the Oakland County Health Division; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the City of Southfield has leased the property to provide six
soccer and two baseball fields; and
WHEREAS, the executive branch of the County of Oakland has administered Catalpa
Park since 1964; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Executive has identified health and wellness as a
significant aspect of quality of life in Oakland County and is a strong advocate of parks and
recreation as an essential service to the residents of Oakland County; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopted Miscellaneous
Resolution #06102 requesting that Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission staff
investigate the feasibility of managing the 24.96-acre parcel as a county park and provide a report
of its findings to the General Government Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission developed a
feasibility assessment report; and
WHEREAS, the report indicated that Oakland County Parks would manage Catalpa Park
if the property is transferred to Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission; and
WHEREAS, the staff of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is
developing an Urban Recreation Initiative for the consideration of park acquisitions, facility
development, recreation programs, and support services; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission will continue to
make the property available for a wide variety of recreation activities for the residents of Oakland
County.
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission will work
cooperatively with the executive branch of the County of Oakland and the Oakland County Health
Division to ensure efficient operation between the two facilities at the site.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission agrees to transfer $725,000 to the Oakland County General Fund from the Future
Acquisitions and Improvements line item of its 2007 Capital Improvement Projects Budget, as
consideration for the assignment, in perpetuity, of the custody, control and management of the
24.96 acres known as Catalpa Park to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 24.96-acre parcel will be named Catalpa Oaks for
public identification.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission will administer and manage the 24.96-acre parcel based upon direction as provided
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(Special Commission Meeting, April 18, 2007)
under P.A. 1965, No. 261 and as authorized by the Board of Supervisors Miscellaneous
Resolution #4531 dated February 8, 1966.
Commission
AYES: Crawford, Gregory, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
The next Commission meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at the White Oaks
Clubhouse.
The meeting yeas adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
J. David VanderVeen, Secretary Karen S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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