HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021.09.22 - 39413Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
SPECIAL MEETING
September 22, 2021
Chairman McGillivray called the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
in the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Waterford Oaks Activity Center.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Gary R. McGillivray, Vice Chairman J. David VanderVeen, Executive Committee Member Christine Long,
Yolanda Charles, Amanda Herzog, Jim Nash, Lance Stokes (7)
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Secretary Ebony Bagley, Andrea LaFontaine, Nancy Quarles (3)
ALSO PRESENT:
Parks and Recreation Susan M. Wells, Interim Executive Officer
Phil Castonia, Chief of Business Operations
Jim Dunleavy, Chief of Park Operations & Maint. - N. District
Tom Hughes, Chief of Park Operations & Maint. - S. District
Brandy Sotke-Boyd, Chief of Recreation Programs & Services
Desiree Stanfield, Supervisor of Marketing & Communications
OC Corporation Counsel Jody Hall, Financial Attorney
The Oakland Press Mark Cavitt
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Mr. Stokes, supported by Ms. Charles to approve the agenda as submitted.
AYES: Charles, Herzog, Long, McGillivray, Nash, Stokes, VanderVeen (7)
NAYS: (0)
Motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no comments from the public.
REGULAR AGENDA:
Parks and Recreation Director Hiring Process Update
Chairman McGillivray advised the Commission that candidate Lawrence Hemingway rescinded his acceptance
of the offer of employment for the position of Oakland County Parks and Recreation Director. As a result, the process
of the search for a new candidate will move forward. The new search will be conducted by the same consultant,
James Vettraino of GovHR, at no additional charge because the position has not been filled.
Notice will be sent to all individuals that previously applied for the position so they may re -apply. Applications will be
accepted for four weeks from both internal and external candidates. Commissioner Herzog asked if the previous list of
candidates would be available to review. Chairman McGillivray advised he has requested the list and was advised by
OC Human Resources he will receive a copy. The application process will be open to a larger group of individuals to
attract a larger and more diverse group of candidates.
OCPR Commission Special Meeting
September 22, 2021
Page 2
Commissioner Stokes wanted stated for the record that he is disturbed by the coverage by the media regarding
the candidate. He felt it was harassment and racism.
CLOSED SESSION:
Review of Background Check of Parks and Recreation Director Candidate Lawrence Hemmingway
As a result of Lawrence Hemingway rescinding his acceptance of the offer of employment for the position of
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Director, there was no longer a need for a closed session during the meeting.
No closed session was held.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman McGillivray advised the Commission that Commissioner Amanda Herzog accepted a part-time position with
Oakland County Parks and Recreation. She will be resigning from her position as OCPR Commissioner effective
September 24, 2021, and this will be her last meeting. Her replacement will be appointed by the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next Oakland County Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on October 6, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at
the Waterford Oaks Activity Center.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m.
Ebony Bagley, Secretary
Vicky Valko, Recording Secretary