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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023.03.01 - 39434 March 1, 2023 Chairman McGillivray called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 2:04 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary R. McGillivray, J. David VanderVeen, Ebony Bagley, Christine Long, Amanda Herzog, Andrea LaFontaine, Jim Nash, Yolanda Smith Charles, Lance Stokes COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Nancy Quarles OTHERS PRESENT: PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director Jim Dunleavy, Manager-Operations Melissa Prowse, Manager-Planning & Development Sarah Cook-Maylen, Chief-Environmental Sustainability & Planning Zach Crane, Supervisor-Parks Engineering & Development Tom Hughes, Chief-Park Operations & Maint. – North District Erik Koppin, Chief-Park Operations & Maint. – South District Brandy Sotke-Boyd, Chief-Recreation Programs & Services Aaron Stepp, Chief-Business Operations Desiree Stanfield, Supervisor-Marketing & Communications Donna Folland, Supervisor-Planning Patrick Caniff, Education and Outreach Specialist Eric Diesing, Natural Resources Program Coordinator Jami Monte, Staff Assistant Simon Rivers, Associate Planner Jess Whatley, Associate Planner Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist CORPORATION COUNSEL Jody Hall, Transactional Attorney FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Paul Zachos, Property Management Specialist SIX RIVERS LAND CONSERVANCY Chris Bunch, Executive Director PUBLIC Mary Bogush Brendan Nolan Diane Turner Larry Turner APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman McGillivray proposed to amend the agenda as follows: 1. Insert “Farmers Market Modernization & Improvement Project” as Item 5 under the Regular Agenda; 2. Reletter Item 5, Director’s Report, as Item 6 under New & Miscellaneous Business; 3. Reletter Item 6, Executive Committee Update, as Item 7 under New & Miscellaneous Business. OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2800 WATKINS LAKE ROAD, WATERFORD, MICHIGAN 48328 Telephone: (248) 858-0906 REGULAR MEETING Gary R. McGillivray, Chairman J. David VanderVeen Vice Chairman Ebony Bagley Secretary Christine Long Amanda Herzog Andrea LaFontaine Jim Nash Nancy Quarles Yolanda Smith Charles Lance Stokes March 1, 2023 Page 2 Long moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES VanderVeen moved to approve the minutes of February 1, 2023, as presented. Seconded by Long. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. Staff Introduction – Erik Koppin Mr. Dunleavy introduced Erik Koppin as the new Chief of Park Operations and Maintenance for the South District. B. Staff Introduction – Jess Whatley Ms. Folland introduced Jess Whatley as a new Associate Planner. C. Staff Introduction – Simon Rivers Ms. Folland introduced Simon Rivers as a new Associate Planner. D. Staff Introduction – Patrick Caniff Ms. Cook-Maylen introduced Patrick Caniff as a new Education and Outreach Specialist. E. Staff Introduction – Eric Diesing Ms. Cook-Maylen introduced Eric Diesing as a new Natural Resources Program Coordinator. F. Natural Resources and Sustainability Report Ms. Cook-Maylen provided an update on natural resources management and sustainability in Oakland County Parks. PUBLIC HEARING G. Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application – Turtle Woods Acquisition Chairman McGillivray opened the Public Hearing at 2:34 p.m. and Ms. Prowse provided an overview of the grant application for the Turtle Woods acquisition. Chairman McGillivray opened the floor for public comment. The following persons addressed the Commission during public comment: 1. Chris Bunch stated that he is thrilled to partner with Oakland County Parks for this acquisition and that it has been a longtime coming. Many Troy residents have expressed their gratitude for this property being protected and he is very hopeful that the grant application will go through. 2. Larry Turner is a longtime resident of Troy and owns a home is in the Robertson development. He is very excited about this acquisition and conserving the rustic area, but has a concern with the amount of traffic this could bring in. March 1, 2023 Page 3 3. Mary Bogush was a longtime resident of Troy and now lives in Royal Oak. She expressed concern for the impact on the turtle and aquatic species due to tree removal and an increase of impervious surfaces for a parking lot. She would like more negotiations with Evanswood Church for the use of the west end of their parking lot. 4. Brendan Nolan is a resident of Troy and expressed his support for the acquisition. He is interested in seeking alternative options in case the grant funding is not awarded, such as federal funding or the natural species protection act to protect unique, natural remnants that may be there. 5. Chairman McGillivray stated that this property is located within his County Commission district and the residents have expressed their support for the acquisition. 6. Commissioner Nash provided assurance that our goal is to make the development as green as possible, keeping it rustic, being aware of the natural resources and protecting the natural balance. Terry Guirey sent a letter to the Parks Commission expressing concern over people leaving behind garbage and using bikes, go carts and snowmobiles on the site. He requests that the Commission not acquire Turtle Woods and leave it as is. There being no further public comment, Chairman McGillivray closed the Public Hearing at 3:09 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS H. Parks Environmental Sustainability Committee Report Ms. Cook-Maylen provided a brief review of the Parks Environmental Sustainability Committee Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. Fees and Charges – 2023 Waterpark Fees and 2024 Campground Fees Nash moved to approve the Fees and Charges – 2023 Waterpark Fees and 2024 Campground Fees, as presented. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. Request to Sell Alcohol – Drew’s Home of Clarkston VanderVeen moved to approve the Request to Sell Alcohol – Drew’s Home of Clarkston, as presented. Seconded by Herzog. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Holly Oaks Armed Forces Day Event – Veterans Fees Bagley moved to approve the Holly Oaks Armed Forces Day Event – Veterans Fees, as presented. Seconded by Stokes. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application – Turtle Woods Acquisition VanderVeen moved to approve the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application – Turtle Woods Acquisition, as presented. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. March 1, 2023 Page 4 5. Farmers Market Modernization & Improvement Project Director Ward provided an overview of potential options for the modernization and improvements to the Farmers Market. Discussion was had. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 6. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. 7. Executive Committee Update Chairman McGillivray provided an update from the Executive Committee meeting that was held on February 21, 2023. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Chairman McGillivray announced that the Budget Study Session has been moved to the May 3rd Regular meeting, with a backup date of May 17th, if needed. Chairman McGillivray reminded the Commissioners that registration is required for the County Executive’s State of the County Address on March 14th. At 4:06 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to April 4, 2023, or to the Call of the Chair. Ebony Bagley, OCPRC Secretary Jami Monte, Recording Secretary NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Commission approval.