HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2007.07.18 - 39202OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
July 18, 2007
Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. called the meeting to order at 9:07 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 J. David VanderVeen, Hugh D.
Crawford, Eileen Kowall, John McCulloch, Charles Palmer, John Richards, Shelley Taub
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Vincent Gregory — excused; NACo Conference
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Purchasing
Oakland County Facilities Management
Oakland County 4-H Fair
Road Commission for Oakland County
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Daniel Stencil, Executive Officer
Sue Wells, Administrator — Parks & Rec. Operations
Frank Trionfi, Administrator — Parks Administration
Mike Thibodeau, Chief of Golf
Clyde Herb, Chief of Parks
Jim Dunleavy, Chief of Recreation
Janet Pung, Communications & Marketing & Officer
Sheila Cox, Accountant IV
Mike Donnellon, Architectural Engineer II
Jon Noyes, Architectural Engineer II
Melissa Prowse, Trails Network Coordinator
Suzanne Kici, Office Assistant
Lauren Polinkky, Intern
Joan Daniels, Buyer
Mike Hughson, Property Management Specialist
L.C. Scramlin, General Manager
Ronald Kinney, Environmental Concerns Coordinator
LC Scramlin, General Manager of Springfield Oaks, thanked the Parks staff for their cooperation and
assistance during the Oakland County Fair held July 10 —15.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Richards to approve the minutes of the meeting of
June 13, 2007, the June 13, 2007 Public Hearing, and the June19, 2007 Special Meeting, as
written.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
STAFF INTRODUCTION:
Chief of Recreation Jim Dunleavy introduced Lauren Polinsky, an intern from Michigan State University, who
will be working with the Recreation Section for 15 weeks.
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS:
Moved by Mrs. Kowall, supported by Mr. Skarritt to approve the payment of the Internal
Service and Department Funds Payment Register for the month of May, (FM 08, 2007); and
the Payment Register for the Voucher Report Period of May (FM 08, 2007).
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS:
The Combined Statement of Operations for the month ending May 31, 2007 was accepted as filed.
ACTIVITY REPORT:
Staff shared trends and directions being taken in the area of golf and nature interpretive programming.
The Activity Report for the month of May, 2007 was accepted as filed.
AMENDMENT TO THE 2007 OPERATING BUDGET:
Moved by Mr. Richards, supported by Mrs. Taub to amend the 2007 Operating Budget by
transferring the amount of $31,675 from the 2007 Operating Budget Contingency to the
following park/budget centers and expense line items to fund unanticipated expenses:
Catalpa Oaks (total $11,225)
Part Time Salaries
$2,000
Fringe Benefits
$225
Grounds Maintenance
$4,000
Miscellaneous Expense
$500
Security Expense
$1,000
Recreation Supplies
$2,000
Small Tools
$1,000
Print Shop
$500
Highland Oaks (total $20,450)
Utilities — Electric Service
$250
Equipment Maintenance
$750
Equipment Rental
$1,000
Garbage and Rubbish Disposal
$1,500
Grounds Maintenance
$9,300
Miscellaneous Expense
$3,000
Utilities — natural Gas
$250
Security Expense
$2,500
Small Tools
$1,500
Uniforms
$150
Print Shop
$250
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
RESOLUTION:
Moved by Mr. Palmer, supported by Mr. Crawford to adopt the following resolution in support
of acceptance of a mini -grant through the Oakland County Cultural Council and Michigan
Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs:
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has reviewed
the "2007 Concert in the Park Series" Mini -Grant application offered through the Oakland
County Cultural Council and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs; and
WHEREAS, the "2007 Concert in the Park Series" was developed in response to the
need for promoting entertainment throughout Oakland County. parks and recreation
departments; and
WHEREAS, the "2007 Concert in the Park Series" meets the Oakland County Parks
and Recreation Commission's goals and objectives of innovative specialized recreation
programs and cultural experiences; and
WHEREAS, the goals and objectives will assist the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission in determining future specialized recreation programs, in providing
these programs to communities and organizations where these resources are otherwise
unavailable and to increase exposure and appreciation for arts and culture.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission accepts the "2007 Concert in the Park Series" Mini -Grant application
request for submittal to the Oakland County Cultural Council and Michigan Council for Arts
and Cultural Affairs.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
LYON OAKS WETLAND MITIGATION PROJECT:
Design and Development staff gave a brief presentation, providing information on the significance and value of
wetlands. Staff will continue to explore what opportunities there are in the park system, including the financial
benefit.
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mrs. Taub to adopt the following resolution in support
of the ratification of the Lyon Oaks Wetland Mitigation Use Agreement:
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has approved
entrance into contract with Niswander Environmental, LLC for the purpose of constructing
mitigation wetlands contingent upon the ratification of a use agreement between Oakland
County and the Road Commission for Oakland County; and
WHEREAS, the resulting habitat improvements meet identified and established
priorities for natural area stewardship and educational experiences within the adopted
Recreation Master Plan; and
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
WHEREAS, the Road Commission for Oakland County will be responsible for the
reimbursement of costs associated with the wetland mitigation project; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has reviewed
the document:
THE LYON OAKS WETLAND MITIGATION USE AGREEMENT
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission supports the ratification of the Lyon Oaks Wetland Mitigation Use
Agreement between Oakland County and the Road Commission for Oakland County.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Commission directed staff to investigate the possibility a foundation, similar to that in Franklin County, Ohio,
being organized to assist in selling mitigation credits and creating wetlands.
BID ITEM:
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to refer the pontoon boat and trailer
back to staff for re -bidding.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
CONNECTING MICHIGAN RESOLUTION:
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Richards to adopt the following resolution in
support of the connecting Michigan: A Statewide Vision and Action Plan:
WHEREAS there is general recognition statewide of the many benefits of multi -use
trailways, not the least of which is improving health, economic benefits, alternative
transportation, access to the environment and natural areas, recreational opportunities,
tourism and multi -jurisdictional cooperation; and
WHEREAS, the "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan"
released on May 15, 2007 is a comprehensive set of recommendations for completing a an
interconnected statewide system of trailways in Michigan; and
WHEREAS, the plan is the result of the year -long work of over 100 task force
members, working on the following 10 topics: Funding for acquisition, construction,
maintenance and operation; Developing a statewide GIS trailway database and website;
Property issues: easements and titles; Trailways usage: programming and promotions; On -
road connections: linking the trailways; Building trailways support: education and advocacy;
Overcoming boundaries: gaining cooperation; Coordinating Resources: technical assistance
for funding, planning, design; Multi -Use Trails & Design: guidelines and information; and
Envisioning a Statewide Trailways Network: opportunities and priorities; and
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
WHEREAS, the task force members included official participation from the National
Park Service, Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, Community
Health, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports, and Travel Michigan,
Michigan Recreation and Park Association, various regional representatives from health,
transportation, economic development agencies and regional trail groups and local
representatives from county, municipal, and township jurisdictions, as well as individual trail
advocates and statewide and local nonprofit groups; and
WHEREAS, the "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan"
contains 39 goals on the previously identified topics and 109 action steps that will be acted
upon over the next several years by a number of involved partners who have agreed to
continue to collaborate; and
WHEREAS, the "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan"
works in conjunction with Governor Granholm's recently released state trails initiative,
"Michigan Trails at the Crossroads: A Vision for Connecting Michigan";
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the undersigned, attest to our
endorsement of the Connecting Michigan Vision to complete an interconnected statewide trail
system, and commit to participating with each other and our many partners in a collaborative
effort to carry out the action steps necessary to achieve the Vision.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PROPOSED BYLAWS REVISIONS:
Moved by Mr. McCulloch, supported by Mr. Richards to adopt the proposed revisions to the
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission bylaws, with the following change:
Article X. Section 4, to read: "The Executive Officer and the Commission Chairman or their
designee(s) shall officially..."
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (9)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Moved by Mrs. Taub, supported by Mrs. Kowall to adjourn to Executive Session for the
purpose of discussing proposed land acquisitions.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: VanderVeen, Taub, Skarritt, Richards, Palmer, McCulloch, Lewis, Kowall, Crawford (9)
NAYS: (0)
A sufficient majority having voted, the motion carried.
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 10:40 a.m. The meeting resumed in open session at 11:00 a.m.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS:
Moved by Mr. Crawford, supported by Mr. Richards to authorize staff to investigate the
possible purchases of land in accordance with directives set forth in Executive Session.
AYES: Crawford, Kowall, Lewis, McCulloch, Palmer, Richards, Skarritt, Taub, VanderVeen (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 information was noted:
---Executive Officer Stencil shared details of an accident on the job suffered by Dave Smith, a skilled
maintenance mechanic at Waterford Oaks.
---Highland Oaks officially became the Park System's 13t" park, with the closing on the two parcels June 26
and 28.
BUDGET WORK SESSION:
The proposed revenue budget for Fiscal Year 2008 is $24,264.863, up 1.8% over the proposed budget for
Fiscal Year 2007. Of this amount, $9,689,163 comes from fees and charges and interest on investments; the
remaining balance of $14,850,000 will come from the millage.
The proposed operating budget for Fiscal Year 2008 is $24,371,138, an increase of 1.8% over the 2007
proposed budget. The majority of this increase is due to facility maintenance and repairs noted in the
operating budget booklet for projects totaling $1,065,250. A 1.0% salary increase has been included for
salaries in Fiscal Year 2008 for full-time employees. Our Fiscal Year 2007 adjusted operating budget is 8.2%
or $1,860,729 less than originally budgeted due to reduced depreciation projection, postponed building and
grounds maintenance projects, and reduced salary costs resulting from unfilled staff positions. Our Fiscal Year
2007 revenue budget is 0.5% or $115,446 less than originally budgeted.
Operating Equipment requests for Fiscal Year 2008 total $555,350. Of this amount, $359,950 will be spent on
replacement equipment.
Estimated new funds for Capital Improvement for Fiscal Year 2008 are $3,110,475, of which $525,000 is
earmarked for payment to the Oakland County Building Authority for Lyon Oaks. The balance of $2,585,475 is
available to fund additional Capital Projects.
Staff shared information from a meeting with the ad hoc committee for the long-term financial plan, including
the following recommendations:
• Until the long-term financial plan is established, recommend a moratorium to determine future
financial direction and priorities.
• Staff will hold off on recommending any additional potential future acquisitions — outside of what staff
has already brought to the Commission.
Expected timeline to complete the long-term financial plan is 12 — 18 months.
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
At the August 1 Commission meeting, staff will be requesting a first amendment to the contract with Pros
Consulting to include a strategic master plan element; new contract total will be approximately $100,000.
Commissioner McCulloch shared additional direction from the committee meeting, noting he is comfortable
with the process, direction, and staff's recommendations.
Fees and Charqes:
The fees and charges were reviewed, with the following changes from staff recommendations:
Groveland Oaks
Mini golf: 1 round $5/all ages
Waterslide: Single ride $1
Wint Nature Center
Amphitheater: Staff will make a recommendation for out -of -county fee
Waterford Oaks
Activity Center: No increase in fees
Red Oaks
Golf Course: Lower the 2"d 9 resident discount rate to $10, plus lower the single cart rate to $5 for the 2"d
9 holes, in order to be in line with the rates for the other three golf courses.
Capital Improvement Projects:
Design and Development staff reviewed the capital improvement projects proposed throughout the parks
system for the next year, plus provided an update on the current projects.
Staff noted an expansion in the scope of the Design and Development section to include master plan
development, natural resource planning, and a stewardship program.
Staff will be establishing a policy to review individual park master plans at least every ten years.
2008 Operations:
• Special Projects Crew: This special crew was established this past year and attends to trail work, tree
removal, etc.
• Trusty Crews: After almost 25 years, this program remains an important program for the department.
Along with manual labor, the crew has also provided skilled laborers who have installed hardwood floors,
plus stone and brick work.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner McCulloch noted that Blackheath Golf Course in Oakland Township might become available
and inquiring about possible interest.
Commissioner McCulloch also inquired about whether or not any of the surplus property being disposed by the
Road Commission for Oakland County might be of value to the Parks Commission.
ADJOURNMENT:
The next Commission meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007.
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(Commission Meeting, July 18, 2007)
The meetinjwas adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
J. David VanderVeen, Secretary Karen S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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