HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025.06.04 - 42096
June 4, 2025
Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at
2:07 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room. She announced that as of May 31, 2025, Nancy Quarles had
resigned from the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), and since she was filling a statutory
seat for the RCOC, she is no longer a member of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission.
Chair Bagley expressed her appreciation for former Commissioner Quarles.
Chair Bagley acknowledged that there was not a quorum of the Commission present at this time and that
she would only proceed with non-action items until a quorum was obtained.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ebony Bagley, J. David VanderVeen, Lola Banks, Ann Erickson Gault, Christine Long, Yolanda Smith
Charles, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Andrea LaFontaine, Jim Nash
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 – Env. Sustainability & Planning
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
Brandy Sotke-Boyd, Chief – Recreation, Programs & Services
Desiree Stanfield, Chief – Marketing & Communications
Darryn Horvath, Project Manager Engineer
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Stephanie Mackey, Supervisor – Organizational & Employee Dev.
Jon Noyes, Principal Planner
Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor
Liz Caltagirone, Parks Data Analyst
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Anna Forshey, Recreation Program Coordinator+
FISCAL SERVICES Kevin Syoen, P&R Fiscal Coordinator
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY Julie Lyons Bricker, Sustainability Manager
GREAT LAKES FISHERY COMMISSION Chris Freiburger, Manager – Sea Lamprey Control Infrastructure
MYCOTOO Cliff Warner
Jackie Ball
Jessica Herrera
Triet Nguyen
PUBLIC Ken Gruber
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
Yolanda Smith Charles
Shanell Weatherspoon
June 4, 2025 Page 2
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
B. Environmental Sustainability Update
Ms. Cook-Maylen and Ms. Lyons Bricker provided an environmental sustainability update.
At 2:26 p.m., Chair Bagley requested a roll call of members and a quorum was established.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Smith Charles moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Weatherspoon.
Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote with Long absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VanderVeen moved to approve the May 7, 2025 Regular meeting minutes and the May 7, 2025
Closed Session minutes, as presented. Seconded by Weatherspoon.
Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote with Long absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Jickling and Jennifer Shelden submitted written comments regarding the Orion Oaks Dog Park.
Ms. Prowse commented that no official plans have been made for the dog park at this time and some of
the information that the public has is not accurate. There are very early conceptual plans being looked
into and discussed internally, and there will be public engagement before determinations are made and
brought to this Commission for approval.
Mr. Gruber provided comments regarding his interest in selling property to Oakland County Parks.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Four Season Strategy Recommendations
Director Ward introduced the MyCotoo team. Mr. Warner and Ms. Ball provided an overview of the four
season strategy recommendations.
C. Communications and Marketing 2024 Review
Ms. Stanfield reviewed the 2024 Communications and Marketing efforts.
D. Adaptive and Wellness Review
Ms. Dorey provided a review of the adaptive and wellness programs.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
E. FY2025 Monthly Financial Report
Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2025 monthly financial report.
F. Community Grant Projects Update
Ms. Folland provided an update on the Community Grant projects.
June 4, 2025 Page 3
G. Healthy Communities Projects Update
Ms. Folland provided an update on the Healthy Communities projects.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Water Safety and Swim Lesson Partnership
Long moved to approve the attached 2025 Collaborative Partnership Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) and Oakland
County Parks and Recreation Commission for the Water Safety and Swim Lesson Partnership
as outlined in the agreement; to request the Board of Commissioners to authorize the approval
of the 2025 Collaborative Partnership Memorandum of Understanding; and to accept a donation
of up to $12,906 from the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority to offset program costs, with the
total donation being reflected in a subsequent budget amendment once the final donation amount
is determined. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. Purchase Agreement for 649, 675 and 677 W. Walton Blvd. at Pontiac Oaks
Smith Charles moved to approve the Purchase Agreement for 649, 675 and 677 W. Walton
Boulevard, Pontiac, MI 48340 to add these parcels to Pontiac Oaks County Park, and forward
the Purchase Agreement to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval and
execution. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Recognizing July 2025 as Park and Recreation Month
Weatherspoon moved to adopt the proposed resolution in support of proclaiming July 2025 as
Park and Recreation Month. Seconded by Long.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Creation of Deputy Director Position
Erickson Gault moved to authorize the Director to proceed with the development of an appointed
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation job classification in consultation with the Human
Resources Department and to request approval of the Board of Commissioners to create the
position. Seconded by Smith Charles.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
5. Director & Mission 26 Status Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report.
6. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley reminded the Commission about the Art, Fish, Fun event at Beaudette Park on June 7th
June 4, 2025 Page 4
from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
7. 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.
Seconded by Weatherspoon.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Commission went into Closed Session at 3:51 p.m.
The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 4:25 p.m.
Erickson Gault moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by
Smith Charles.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bagley announced that the next meeting will be held at the Springfield Oaks Event Center and
noted the special invitation for Commissioners to attend the Oakland County Fair.
At 4:27 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to July 16, 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.