HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2011.05.04 - 39260OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
May 4, 2011
Chairman Fisher called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m. in the board room of the Springfield Oaks Fair Board
Office.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gerald Fisher, Robert Kostin, Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Christine Long, John McCulloch, Gary McGillivray, John
Scott, J. David VanderVeen
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Charles Palmer, Eric Wilson
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation
OC Fiscal Services
OC Corporation Counsel
Oakland County 4-H Fair Board
Ducks Unlimited, Great Lakes/Atlantic
Regional Office
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Daniel Stencil, Executive Officer
Mike Donnellon, Chief -Parks Fac., Maint. & Ops.
Terry Fields, Chief - Recreation Programs & Services
Vic Chiasson, Project Advisor
Jon Noyes, Planning Supervisor
Jim Dunleavy, Chief, Parks Ops. & Maint. — N. District
Larry Gee, Chief, Parks Ops. & Maint. — S. District
Karen Kohn, Supervisor — Administrative Services
Desiree Stanfield, Communications Supervisor
Jeff Phelps, Supervisor II
Jody Hall, Assistant Corporation Counsel
LC Scramlin, General Manager
Jenifer Christman, Mgr of Conservation Programs Lands
Kristin Schrader, Communications Department
Moved by Mr. Scott, supported by Mr. McGillivray to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of April 6, 2011, as written.
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Mrs. Long, supported by Mr. Kostin to approve the agenda with the following
correction: Item 8D, change wording to Independence Township/Oakland County Parks
Intergovernmental Safety Path Preliminary Understanding — Independence Oaks -North.
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, May 4, 2011)
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
LC Scramlin, General Manager of the Oakland County 4-H Fair Board, welcomed the Commission and staff
to the park, sharing a brief history of the partnership between the 4-H Fair Board and Oakland County Parks,
along with the importance of the agricultural heritage of the county. He also announced the Oakland County
Fair will be held on July 12-17 this year.
There were no other comments or questions received by the public.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Moved by Mrs. Long, supported by Mr. Kostin to approve all items under the Consent Agenda
as follows: Internal Service Funds Journal Voucher Register for month ending 3/31/11 (FM 6,
FY 11); Oak Management, Inc., Credit for Services Rendered Register for January, February,
and March, 2011 (FM 4, 5 & 6, FY 2011); Payment Register for month ending 3/31/11 (FM 6,
FY 11); Monthly Financial Statement Executive Summary for month ending 3/31/11 (FM 6,
FY 11).
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
DUCKS UNLIMITED RECOGNITION PRESENTATION:
Parks staff presented Ducks Unlimited with a plaque in recognition of its efforts in support of the acquisition of
the Upper Bushman Lake property at Independence Oaks, coordinating efforts to apply for a $200,000 grant
from the Carl's Foundation, of which Oakland County Parks received $95,000. In addition, Ducks Unlimited
donated a 2.5-acre parcel immediately adjacent to the park off Sashabaw Road.
NORTH OAKLAND HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY DONATION AGREEMENT:
Moved by Mrs. Long, supported by Mr. VanderVeen to adopt the following resolution in
support of the donation agreement with the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy to
accept a $16,000 donation to assist with the stewardship of the Upper Bushman Property at
Independence Oaks:
WHEREAS the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy (NOHLC) desires to
see the headwaters of the Clinton River in Independence Township, Michigan protected and
the water quality of its wetlands, lakes, and streams preserved; and
WHEREAS the County purchased certain property in Independence Township,
Michigan including the Upper Bushman Lake and the surrounding land (parcel number # 08-
03-201-007) (hereinafter "Upper Bushman Property") to expand the size of Independence
Oaks County Park; and
WHEREAS it is the intention of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission to develop the Upper Bushman Property creating recreational uses that are
compatible with land and water stewardship; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has sought
collaborative relationships with other organizations, that have missions similar to NOHLC, in
order to raise funds to assist with the stewardship of the Upper Bushman Property,
(Commission Meeting, May 4, 2011)
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission hereby requests that the Oakland County Board, of Commissioners
authorize and approve the acceptance of NOHLC's Monetary Donation of $16,000 towards
the stewardship of the Upper Bushman Property, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission hereby requests that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners direct its
Chairperson or designee to execute said acceptance of this monetary donation.
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
SPRINGFIELD OAKS ROTARY PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE:
Moved by Mr. Lewis, supported by Mr. McGillivray to approve a budget of $6,000 ($4,822.38
in materials plus contingency) for the Springfield Oaks Rotary Park Pedestrian Bridge
Replacement Project, and to transfer the $6,000 from the Operating Budget Contingency to
the Springfield Oaks Grounds Maintenance line item.
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Commission complimented staff on the collaborative effort between the Oakland County Parks and the
community on this project.
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP/OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS INTERGOVERNMENTAL SAFETY PATH
PRELIMINARY UNDERSTANDING — INDEPENDENCE OAKS -NORTH:
Staff has been contacted by the Charter Township of Independence requesting consideration of a potential
collaboration to extend the existing safety path from the park entrance north to the intersection of Oakhill and
Sashabaw roads. The Parks Commission has previously worked with other municipalities to extend, install and
fund trails at other parks, and this offers another collaborative opportunity to create trail connections as
identified in county -wide recreation needs assessment surveys. Discussions will include the identification of
potential routes, safety concerns or issues, funding, etc.
Chairman Fisher recommended hold harmless language be included in the potential agreement any time the
path veers from the road right-of-way.
Moved by Mr. Scott, supported by Mr. McGillivray to authorize staff to continue discussions
with Charter Township of Independence officials to identify a route and enter into a potential
letter of agreement for a collaboration to extend the existing safety path on Sashabaw Road
from the Independence Oaks County Park entrance north to the intersection of Oakhill and
Sashabaw roads.
AYES: Fisher, Kostin, Lewis, Long, McCulloch, McGillivray, Scott, VanderVeen (8)
NAYS: (0)
Motion carried on a voice vote.
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(Commission Meeting, May 4, 2011)
FY 2012 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET RECAP:
At the April 27 Executive Committee Meeting, staff was directed to look at ways to reduce operating expenses
at the Wint Nature Center. Staff is looking at options for the facility, but is also focusing on the subsidy levels
of all the parks/facilities throughout the parks system. In addition, staff will be focusing on generating additional
revenue, including leveraging other opportunities such as partnerships and collaborations.
Vice Chairman McCulloch reiterated the expectation of staff presenting a concrete plan addressing budget
and programmatic issues within the 60-day time frame set at the April 6 Commission meeting.
Staff was directed to provide at the May 25 Executive Committee meeting a proposed policy on the reserves —
how the benchmark levels were determined, their impact on the budget, and a plan for how the two reserves
(operating and capital) will be replenished.
ACTIVITY REPORT:
The Activity Report for March (FM 06 FY 2011) was accepted as filed.
MOBILE RECREATION: PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE:
Project Advisor Vic Chiasson presented a summary and synopsis of past, present, and future perspectives of
the Mobile Recreation Program.
Mr. Chiasson shared the following recommendations for the future of the program, including:
• Conduct interview sessions with local communities to see how we can best serve those communities
• Develop a targeted sponsorship process to secure funding for new transit buses and mobile stages
• Develop a phased program to repurpose Mobile Recreation and create new Mobile Recreation units
based on the core program areas from the Recreation program Business Plan
• Use Catalpa Oaks as a base to stage and store Mobile Recreation units for more effective use of staff
resources
• Continue expanding the OC Express Program
COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING UPDATE:
Communications Supervisor Desiree Stanfield provided an update on communications and marketing
initiatives for this summer, along with major responsibilities of the section; including e-marketing; generating
media interest; writing news releases and professional articles; producing the annual report; monitoring and
updating the website.
The department also researches, orders, and distributes the promotional items for the department. Samples
were provided, and commissioners were encouraged to let the communications staff know what items they
would like for their annual supply of 500 items.
Commission suggested contacting Doug Smith of the Pure Michigan campaign. The Pure Michigan campaign
is expanding; it might be worthwhile to work jointly and better leverage our advertising dollars. Also, contact
local cable companies for marketing/promoting local recreation opportunities close to home.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT:
In addition to the Executive Officer's report filed in the agenda, the following information was noted:
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(Commission Meeting, May 4, 2011)
---Staff will be bringing for Commission information and approval expenses for the demolition of the shed
property at the Red Oaks Dog Park.
---A dog agility course, donated by The Nutro Company, opens at the Red Oaks Dog Park on May 7.
--Vice Chairman McCulloch updated the Commission on the progress of the committee formed to address the
environmental sustainability policy and the wetlands bank proposal. He noted staff has been directed to
proceed with the RFQ for the wetlands bank to see what revenue would be associated with that project.
Commission will ultimately see the results of that RFQ for a decision on whether or not to pursue.
The sustainability policy will be revised with a one -paragraph policy for Commission adoption with standard
operating procedures included in greater detail. The SOP will be reviewed with the Commission over a 6 —12-
month timeline.
--Lifeguard staff received the 2010 Gold International Aquatic Safety Award from the Commission's contracted
aquatic safety consultant Ellis & Associates.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Kostin requested information on the Recreation Passport license fee sales.
The next Commission meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
Meeting was adjdWned to a tour of the park at 10:45 a.m.
J. David VanderVeen, Secretary Karen S. Kohn CPS/CAP, Recording Secretary
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