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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012.04.18 - 39275*MEETING MINUTES * OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING April 18, 2012 Chairman Fisher called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. in the Parks and Recreation Administration Building Commission Meeting Room. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gerald Fisher, Vice Chairman John McCulloch, Secretary J. David VanderVeen, A. David Baumhart, Robert E. Kostin, Chairperson Emeritus Pecky D. Lewis, Jr., Christine Long, Gary McGillivray, John Scott COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Eric Wilson ALSO PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Oakland County Fiscal Services Oakland County Fair Private Citizen APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Daniel J. Stencil, Executive Officer Sue Wells, Administrator -Parks & Rec. Operations Mike Donnellon, Chief -Parks Fac. Maint. & Dev. Jim Dunleavy, Chief -Park Ops. & Maint. — N. District Terry Fields, Chief -Recreation Programs & Services Larry Gee, Chief -Park Ops & Maint. S. District Karen Kohn, Supervisor -Administrative Services Melissa Prowse, Business Development Rep. Megan Shafto, Communications & Mrktg. Technical Aide Desiree Stanfield, Supervisor -Communications & Mrktg. Mary Zednik, Communications & Marketing Assistant Jeff Phelps, Fiscal Services Supervisor LC Scramlin, Director Kathy Uchman Rae Bullard Abygail Bullard Andrea Lockwood Alan Lockwood Jeanette Justus Andrea Allen Moved by Mr. Scott, supported by Mr. Baumhart to approve the agenda. AYES: Fisher, McCulloch, Baumhart, Kostin, Lewis, Scott (6) NAYS: (0) Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: OAKLAND COUNTY 4-H FAIR ASSOCIATION: LC Scramlin, Director of the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association, thanked the Commission for the electrical upgrades at Springfield Oaks County Park and advised that the County Fair will be extended to 5-1 (Commission Meeting, April 18, 2012) 10 days this year, 4 more than in past years. They will be working on marketing and promoting the fair including putting Oakland County Parks and Recreation's name as a sponsor in lights. They will also be adding a day dedicated to the people serving in the armed services. Mr. Scramlin indicated these additions would not have been possible without the assistance of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and staff. LEWIS E. WINT NATURE CENTER: Kathy Uchman, a Parks and Recreation volunteer for 10 years, advised the Commission of examples of how patrons benefit from visiting the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center. In addition, she cited ways in which the Nature Center benefits Oakland County Parks. She hopes the Commission will consider keeping the Nature Center open. Abygail Bullard informed the Commission that she is a 41h grade student at Andersonville Elementary School and also a Girl Scout. She and her sister have visited the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center for many years and participated in programs and events on various topics including birdfeeders, constellations, navigation, and Sky Lab. She enjoys the facility and is looking forward to trips to the Nature Center. She and her sister enjoy having a place to go to learn about nature. Andrea Lockwood, a teacher at Andersonville Elementary School, requested the Commission not to take resources away from the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center and send them to Madison Heights. She suggested a partnership with Clarkston and Brandon Schools and the possibility of implementing a curriculum on Saturday mornings. Ms. Lockwood suggested that Parks and Recreation could promote various programs and work together to build a partnership and seek sponsorships in order to continue to serve the patrons at the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center. In addition, she suggested that a different name, possibly the Discovery Center, instead of the Visitor Center would be more appropriate. Jeanette Justus, of Clarkston, requested the Commission not to cut the hours at the Nature Center. Children and adults alike have benefitted from the many programs and events offered. She requested the Commission to attend a session at the Nature Center and learn firsthand what the participants experience and see how excited the children get while learning. Lewis E. Wint Nature Center has a great staff and they also serve as great mentors. She suggested giving each child that visits the Nature Center a pass to bring their family back in order to share the experience with more patrons. She requested that the Commission please keep things as they are and offer more ways to get more people to visit the Nature Center. Alan Lockwood advised the Commission there are people that are willing to help the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission think of ways outside the box in order to help the Nature Center. He suggested that there should be more outreach and other opportunities for programs. Mr. Lockwood asked the Commission what their plan was for the Nature Center. He also stated that the people attending the meeting will help to solve any problems to help keep the Nature Center open. Chairman Fisher indicated that there is a lot of misinformation being circulated. The Commission never voted to change the name of the Nature Center. From 2008-2010 the Nature Center lost revenue in excess of $1,000,000. There are no simple solutions. He then read a section of the editorial that appeared in the Sunday, April 15, 2012, Oakland Press: In the long term, all options for providing this important nature education service are on the table. The Commission will continue to evaluate the use of the Center for nature education and other purposes and to maximize benefit to the public. This remains an important and valued service at Oakland County Parks and Recreation. We appreciate all the feedback and comments as we move forward with a renewed comprehensive approach for nature education programming. Chairman Fisher then expressed that the Commission appreciates everyone for coming to the meeting. The Commission indicated that at the June 6, 2012, Commission meeting time could be devoted to addressing this issue. Staff will continue to look at collaboration and partnership efforts with Huron 5-2 (Commission Meeting, April 18, 2012) Clinton Metropolitan Authority and other entities and prepare a reasonable preliminary plan on where to go in the future so the Commission can react accordingly. FY 2013 PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION — PART 1: Executive Officer Daniel Stencil presented the first phase of the FY2013 Proposed Budget to the Commission. The second phase will be scheduled for May 23, 2012. Topics covered included Capital Improvement Projects Management Plan, Maintenance Management Plan, Capital Equipment, Major Maintenance Projects, 15-Year Forecast/Capital Improvement Plan, and 15-Year Forecast/Capital Equipment Plan. The Commission requested that for the equipment purchases that staff look at alternate ways to acquire the equipment such as used equipment from another governmental entity, closed golf course or on-line auctions sites Fiscal Services Supervisor for Parks and Recreation Jeff Phelps indicated some of the budget forms will be different and the process may be different as he is revising the process from previous years. He has created a data base to streamline the process so data from other divisions will be able to be incorporated into the budget directly with the ability to generate reports more quickly. Manager of Parks and Recreation Sue Wells presented the Pricing Policy and suggested that it could be a good time to review and possibly revise the existing policy. One area in particular might be to have the ability to fluctuate the fees during high/low traffic times if there is a need. The Commission requested that staff come back at another meeting with a price variable, fixed dollar amount or fixed percent for the variation for their consideration. EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT: In addition to the items in the Executive Officer's Report filed in the agenda, the following information was noted: - The Cherry Blossom Tree Planting Ceremony will be held at Glen Oaks County Golf Course on May 9, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. - The next regular Commission meeting will be at Red Oaks/Suarez Friendship Woods Nature Center on May 2, 2012 OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to address. NEW BUSINESS: There was no old business to address. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m. J. David Vande4Keen, Secretary Vicky Valkoj; kcording Secretary 5-3