HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023.10.04 - 41334
October 4, 2023
Vice Chairman VanderVeen called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission to order at 2:03 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room. He acknowledged that there was not
a quorum of the Commission present at this time and that we would only proceed with non-action items
until a quorum is obtained.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
J. David VanderVeen, Christine Long, Andrea LaFontaine, Jim Nash, Yolanda Smith Charles, Lance
Stokes
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Gary R. McGillivray, Ebony Bagley, Amanda Herzog, Nancy Quarles
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Jim Dunleavy, Manager-Operations
Melissa Prowse, Manager-Planning & Development
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
Mark Adams, Project Manager Engineer
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Mike Boyd, Park Supervisor-Waterford Oaks
Donna Folland, Supervisor-Planning
Desiree Stanfield, Supervisor-Marketing & Communications
Jamie Weasel, Park Supervisor-Holly Oaks & Groveland Oaks
Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor
Eric Diesing, Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Simon Rivers, Associate Planner
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
FISCAL SERVICES Kevin Syoen, P&R Fiscal Coordinator
OAKLAND COUNTY FAIRBOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager
Sara Ressler, Assistant General Manager
PUBLIC Dan Stencil, Former Oakland County Parks Executive Officer
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Stencil expressed his appreciation to the Commission and staff that he worked with during his 43
years of service and stated that he is proud to represent Oakland County Parks with his induction into
the mParks Hall of Fame.
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
October 4, 2023 Page 2
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. NACo Disability Dirt Day Achievement Award
Ms. Stanfield recognized Sandy Dorey and Jamie Weasel for receiving the NACo Achievement Award
for Disability Dirt Day.
B. PRB Magazine – Disability Dirt Day Feature
Ms. Stanfield presented the Disability Dirt Day article that was featured in the Parks and Recreation
Business Magazine.
At 2:11 p.m., Commissioner Smith Charles joined the meeting, constituting a quorum of the
Commission.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chairman VanderVeen proposed to amend the agenda as follows:
1. Insert “Waterpark Repair Projects/Strategic Plan Development” as Item 1 under the Regular
Agenda.
2. Renumber Item 1, Springfield Oaks Golf Course Culvert, as Item 2 under the Regular Agenda.
3. Renumber Item 2, Red Oaks/White Lake Oaks Golf Course Netting Replacement, as Item 3
under the Regular Agenda.
4. Renumber Item 3, Final Pontiac Oaks Park Action Plan, as Item 4 under the Regular Agenda.
5. Renumber Item 4, Independence Oaks Residential Lease Renewal – Aaron Stepp, as Item 5
under the Regular Agenda.
6. Insert “Southfield Oaks Negotiation” as Item 6 under the Regular Agenda.
7. Renumber Item 5, Director’s Report, as Item 7 under New & Miscellaneous Business.
8. Renumber Item 6, Executive Committee Update, as Item 8 under New & Miscellaneous
Business.
Stokes moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Smith Charles moved to approve the minutes of September 6, 2023, as presented. Seconded
by Long.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
C. 2023 Aquatic Facility Season Summary
Mr. Koppin provided a summary of the 2023 aquatic facility season.
D. Assessment of Waterpark Capital Needs
Mr. Koppin provided an assessment of the waterpark capital needs at Red Oaks and Waterford Oaks.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Waterpark Repair Projects/Strategic Plan Development
Commissioner Stokes volunteered to serve on the Waterpark Strategic Workgroup. Mr. Ward will ask
Commissioners Bagley and Quarles if they would be interested in joining the workgroup.
October 4, 2023 Page 3
Smith Charles moved to approve the Waterpark Repair Projects/Strategic Plan Development, as
presented. Seconded by LaFontaine.
Motion carried on a roll call vote.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
E. Parks Environmental Sustainability Committee Report
Mr. Diesing provided an overview of the Parks Environmental Sustainability Committee Report, and
an update regarding the closure of the Orion Oaks dog dock at Lake Sixteen due to elevated levels of
E. coli.
F. 2022 Community Grant Program Projects Update
Ms. Prowse provided an update on the 2022 Community Grant Program projects.
G. 2023 Oakland County 4H Fair Report
Mr. Scramlin provided an overview of the 2023 Oakland County 4H Fair that was held July 7 – 16.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
2. Springfield Oaks Golf Course Culvert
Long moved to approve the Springfield Oaks Golf Course Culvert, as presented. Seconded by
Nash.
Motion carried on a roll call vote.
3. Red Oaks/White Lake Oaks Golf Course Netting Replacement
Long moved to approve the Red Oaks/White Lake Oaks Golf Course Netting Replacement, as
presented. Seconded by Smith Charles.
Motion carried on a roll call vote.
4. Final Pontiac Oaks Park Action Plan
Smith Charles moved to approve the Final Pontiac Oaks Park Action Plan, as presented.
Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried on a roll call vote.
5. Independence Oaks Residential Lease Renewal – Aaron Stepp
Long moved to approve the Independence Oaks Residential Lease Renewal – Aaron Stepp, as
presented. Seconded by LaFontaine.
Motion carried on a roll call vote.
6. Southfield Oaks Negotiations
Mr. Ward provided an update on the current status of negotiations with the City of Southfield.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
October 4, 2023 Page 4
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
7. Director’s Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report.
8. Executive Committee Update
Vice Chairman VanderVeen provided an update from the Executive Committee meeting that was held
on September 26, 2023.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
At 4:03 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to November 1, 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.