HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024.04.03 - 41341
April 3, 2024
Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at
2:03 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ebony Bagley, J. David VanderVeen, Andrea LaFontaine, Yolanda Smith Charles, Lola Banks, Ann
Erickson Gault, Jim Nash, Nancy Quarles, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Christine Long
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Jim Dunleavy, Manager-Operations
Melissa Prowse, Manager-Planning & Development
Aaron Stepp, Manager-Internal Services
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
Bill Singleton, Chief-Business Operations
Darryn Horvath, Project Manager Engineer
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
Robbie Jeglum, General Maintenance Mechanic
Gabby Girard, Parks Maintenance Aide
CORPORATION COUNSEL Jody Hall, Attorney
OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR BOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager
Sara Ressler, Assistant General Manager
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
LaFontaine moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried on a voice vote with Weatherspoon absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VanderVeen moved to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2024 regular meeting and the March
6, 2024 Closed Session meeting, as presented. Seconded by Smith Charles.
Motion carried on a voice vote with Weatherspoon absent.
OAKLAND COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
2800 WATKINS LAKE ROAD, WATERFORD, MICHIGAN 48328
Telephone: (248) 858-0906
REGULAR MEETING
Ebony Bagley, Chair J. David VanderVeen
Vice Chair
Andrea LaFontaine
Secretary
Yolanda Smith Charles
Lola Banks
Ann Erickson Gault
Christine Long
Jim Nash
Nancy Quarles
Shanell Weatherspoon
April 3, 2024 Page 2
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Staff Introduction – Bill Singleton
Mr. Stepp introduced Bill Singleton as the new Chief of Business Operations.
B. Staff Introduction – Nick Tottingham
Mr. Koppin advised that Nick had an unexpected conflict and was not able to attend today’s meeting.
C. Staff Introduction – Gabby Girard
Mr. Koppin introduced Gabby Girard as a new Parks Maintenance Aide.
D. Staff Introduction – Robbie Jeglum
Mr. Koppin introduced Robbie Jeglum as a new General Maintenance Mechanic.
E. PRB Magazine – Native Landscape Design Project Feature
Mr. Stepp noted that the Native Landscape Design Project article that was featured in the Parks and
Recreation Business Magazine is provided in the agenda packet.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
F. Oakland County Farmer’s Market
Mr. Koppin provided an update on the Farmer’s Market.
G. Community Capital Grant Program Quarterly Update
Ms. Prowse noted that the full update on the Capital Grant Program is provided in the agenda packet.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Oakland County 4-H Fair Agreement – 1st Amendment
Smith Charles moved to approve the Oakland County 4-H Fair Agreement – 1st Amendment, as
presented. Seconded by Quarles.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. FY2024 Capital Equipment Purchase – Pontiac Oaks Zero Turn Mower
Smith Charles moved to approve the FY2024 Capital Equipment Purchase – Pontiac Oaks Zero
Turn Mower, as presented. Seconded by Weatherspoon.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Lyon Oaks Healthy Communities and Parking Lot Improvements Expenditure
Smith Charles moved to approve the Lyon Oaks Healthy Communities and Parking Lot
Improvements Expenditure, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
April 3, 2024 Page 3
4. Strategic Partnership Grant – Rochester Hills – Innovation Hills Restroom Project
Nash moved to approve the Strategic Partnership Grant – Rochester Hills – Innovation Hills
Restroom Project, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
5. Director’s Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report.
6. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley provided an update from the Executive Committee meeting that was held on March 25,
2024.
CLOSED SESSION
7. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion regarding the purchase or lease of real property
Erickson Gault moved that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission go into
Closed Session for the purposes of discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property.
Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Commission went into Closed Session at 2:40 p.m.
The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 3:30 p.m.
Nash moved to authorize the Director to enter into preliminary negotiations for projects
associated with the potential November millage ballot initiative, including acquisition, lease or
management agreements for: the Oakland Community College Highland Lakes Campus and
lands owned by Waterford Township and the Waterford School District; the Bloomfield Hills
School District’s Johnson Nature Center and Bowers School Farm properties; and the Americana
Foundation and MSU Extension for the Tollgate Farm and Education Center properties.
Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Smtih Charles absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
At 3:31 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to May 1, 2024, or to the Call of the Chair.
Andrea LaFontaine, OCPRC Secretary Jami Monte, Recording Secretary
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Commission approval.