HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025.04.02 - 41980
April 2, 2025
Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at
2:01 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ebony Bagley, J. David VanderVeen, Andrea LaFontaine, Lola Banks, Ann Erickson Gault, Christine
Long, Jim Nash, Nancy Quarles, Yolanda Smith Charles, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
None.
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
Donna Folland, Chief – Planning & Resource Development
Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations & Maint. – North District
Erik Koppin, Chief – Park Operations & Maint. – South District
Bill Singleton, Chief – Business Operations
Desiree Stanfield, Chief – Marketing & Communications
Mark Adams, Project Manager Engineer
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor
Liz Caltagirone, Parks Data Analyst
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
FISCAL SERVICES Kevin Syoen, P&R Fiscal Coordinator
CORPORAION COUNSEL Jody Hall, Assistant Corporation Counsel
PUBLIC Roman Wasylkevych, Waterford Community Greenways
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Smith Charles moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by LaFontaine.
Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote with Long and Weatherspoon absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Erickson Gault moved to approve the minutes of February 5, 2025, as presented. Seconded by
Quarles.
Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote with Long and 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
Lola Banks
Ann Erickson Gault
Christine Long
Jim Nash
Nancy Quarles
Yolanda Smith Charles
Shanell Weatherspoon
April 2, 2025 Page 2
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. mParks Awards
Director Ward presented the mParks awards that were received at the 2025 mParks Conference &
Trade Show in March to: Tom Hughes for the Park Design Award that was won for the Addison Oaks
Solar System trail, and Desiree Stanfield and Garrett Ebbeling for the Integrated Marketing Award that
was won for the OCP Millage Awareness Campaign.
B. Oakland County Farmer’s Market
Mr. Koppin provided an overview of the 2024 Oakland County Farmer’s Market year in review and
upcoming plans for 2025.
C. Adaptive Recreation Experience
Ms. Dorey provided an overview of the Adaptive Recreation Experience program.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
D. FY2025 Monthly Financial Report
Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2025 monthly financial report.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. FY2025 Capital Equipment Budget Amendment
Smith Charles moved to approve the proposed amendments to the FY2025 Capital Equipment
Budget to purchase capital operating equipment for Golf Operations, and Recreation, Programs
and Services. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. White Lake Oaks – Pontiac Lake Rd Pedestrian Crossing
VanderVeen moved to approve expenditure not to exceed $194,000 for White Lake Oaks –
Pontiac Lake Road Pedestrian Signal Crossing project, and to approve the Agreement for Traffic
Control Device. Seconded by Smith Charles.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Waterford Oaks Administration Building – Restroom Renovation
LaFontaine moved to approve expenditure not to exceed $209,000 for the Waterford Oaks
Administration Building – Restroom Renovation project. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Glen Oaks Electrical Service Upgrades – DTE Easement
Smith Charles moved to approve the DTE Electric Overhead and Underground Easement
Agreement for Glen Oaks County Park and forward to the Board of Commissioners for approval.
Seconded by Banks.
April 2, 2025 Page 3
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
5. 2025 Seasonal/Part-Time Incentives
Erickson Gault moved to approve the 2025 Incentive Program for Part-Time Positions and to
authorize the Chairperson to approve additional incentives recommended by staff to address
critical needs during the 2025 season. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
6. Mission 26 Preliminary Vision and Plan
Director Ward provided an overview of the Mission 26 Preliminary Vision and Plan.
7. Park Enhancement Fund
Long moved to authorize the expenditure of up to $250,000 from the assigned Park
Enhancement Fund and to grant the Director administrative authority the commencement of
enhancement projects submitted and recommended by the Park Operations Unit. Seconded by
Weatherspoon.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
8. Director’s Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report.
9. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley stated that there is no further update outside of what was discussed today.
CLOSED SESSION
10. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property
Erickson Gault moved that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission enter into
Closed Session for the purposes of discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property
and to consult with its attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific
pending litigation. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with LaFontaine absent.
The Commission went into Closed Session at 3:48 p.m.
The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 5:10 p.m.
Erickson Gault moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by
Nash.
April 2, 2025 Page 4
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with LaFontaine absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
At 5:11 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to May 7, 2025, or to the Call of the Chair.
Andrea LaFontaine, OCPRC Secretary Jami Monte, Recording Secretary
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Commission approval.