HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025.08.06 - 42279
August 6, 2025
Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at
2:05 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ebony Bagley, J. David VanderVeen, Andrea LaFontaine, Lola Banks, Ann Erickson Gault, Jim Nash
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Christine Long, Eric McPherson, Yolanda Smith Charles, Shanell Weatherspoon
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Alan Jaros, Deputy Director
Jim Dunleavy, Manager – Park Management & Operations
Melissa Prowse, Manager – Community Services & Accessibility
Zach Crane, Supervisor – Design, Engineering & Compliance
Donna Folland, Chief – Planning & Public Engagement
Bill Singleton, Chief – Business Systems
Ashlie Smith, Chief – Nature & Outdoor Education
Brandy Sotke-Boyd, Chief – Recreation Programs & Services
Desiree Stanfield, Chief – Communications & Marketing
Kevin Syoen, Chief – Budget & Procurement
Jamie Weasel, Park Supervisor – Holly/Groveland Oaks
Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Robin McGregor, Recreation Program Specialist
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Kristen Wiltfang, Trails, Transportation & Environment Administrator
MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director
OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR BOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager
Sara Ressler, Assistant General Manager
WATER RESOURCES Evans Bantios, Chief Engineer
Lesli Maes, Civil Engineer
PUBLIC Rex Mathewson
Pete Ogz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
LaFontaine moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Nash moved to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2025 Regular meeting and the June 4, 2025
Closed Session, as presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
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
Eric McPherson
Jim Nash
Yolanda Smith Charles
Shanell Weatherspoon
August 6, 2025 Page 2
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Scramlin stated that the 2025 Oakland County Fair, held July 11 – 20, was a great success and
thanked the Commission for their partnership. He extended an invitation to the Commissioners to come
back next year, July 10 - 19.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Staff Introduction: Alan Jaros – Deputy Director
Mr. Ward introduced Alan Jaros as the new Deputy Director.
B. Staff Introduction: Ashlie Smith – Chief of Nature & Outdoor Education
Mr. Ward introduced Ashlie Smith as the new Chief of Nature & Outdoor Education.
C. Special Park Districts Forum – Recap and Recognition
Mr. Dunleavy thanked the various team members that were involved in organizing and hosting the 2025
Special Park Districts Forum. Ms. Boyd gave a brief overview of the four-day event.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
D. FY2025 Monthly Financial Report/Budget Update
Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2025 Monthly Financial Report and Budget update.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Addison Oaks Campground – Lagoon Liner Replacement
Nash moved to approve expenditure not to exceed $2,444,404 for the Addison Oaks Lagoon
Liner Replacement Project, and to approve/sign attached second amendment to Memorandum
of Understanding between The Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner and the
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for the ability for OCWRC to execute the
Addison Oaks Lagoon Liner Replacement Project. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Erickson Gault moved to amend the main motion to change the not to exceed amount to
$2,025,102, as identified in the project budget. Seconded by LaFontaine.
Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. Oakland County Fair Agreement – 3rd Amendment
Banks moved to approve the 3rd Amendment to the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association
Agreement, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Pontiac Oaks Park Action Plan - Amendment
LaFontaine moved to approve the final Pontiac Oaks Park Action Plan Amendment that was
prepared in compliance with the Interlocal Partnership Agreement dated August 6, 2025, as
presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
August 6, 2025 Page 3
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Beaudette Park License Agreement and Consent to Work
LaFontaine moved to approve the License Agreement and Consent to Work Beaudette Park –
Restroom Facility, as presented. Seconded by Banks.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
5. Partnership Agreement with the Waterford School District
Erickson Gault moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement with the Waterford
School District as presented and forward to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration,
as presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
6. Rochester Clinton River Property Acquisition & Trail Grant Agreement
LaFontaine moved to authorize and recommend to the Board of Commissioners the Purchase
Agreement for $1,800,000 for 128.61 acres of property in Rochester, and the Park Development
Grant Agreement with the City of Rochester for the Clinton River Trail Remediation project with
a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $700,000, as presented. Seconded by Erickson
Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
7. Amended Partnership Agreement with the City of Farmington Hills for Heritage Park (Oaks)
Banks moved to recommend approval of the Amended Interlocal Agreement with the City of
Farmington Hills for Heritage Park to the Board of Commissioners, as presented. Seconded by
LaFontaine.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
8. Pontiac Greenways and Park Revitalization Workgroup
LaFontaine moved to appoint Commissioners Weatherspoon, VanderVeen, and Bagley to the
Pontiac Greenways and Parks Revitalization Workgroup, as presented. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
9. 2025 Strategic Partnership Grant – City of Troy
Erickson Gault moved to authorize and recommend to the Board of Commissioners the Park
Development Grant Agreement with the City of Troy for the Inclusive Playground at Boulan Park
project with a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $250,000, as presented. Seconded
by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
10. FY 2026 Memorandum of Understanding with Michigan State University Extension
Nash moved to approve the proposed FY 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
Oakland County Parks and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, subject to review and
approval by Corporation Counsel, and authorize the Director to execute the agreement and
exercise discretion in adjusting service deliverables throughout the term, in coordination with
August 6, 2025 Page 4
MSU Extension leadership, as presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
11. Mission 26 Strategic & Public Engagement Plan Update
Mr. Ward provided an overview of the Mission 26 Strategic & Public Engagement Plan. Commissioners
indicated their support in proceeding with the plan.
12. OCPRC Public Comment Procedures
LaFontaine moved to approve the updated Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
Public Comment Procedures, as presented. Seconded by VanderVeen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
13. Continued Support of the 9 Line Task Force Greenway Development
Nash moved to approve the scope of work with OHM Advisors for ongoing Nine Mile Task Force
continued support not-to-exceed $96,000, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
14. Director’s Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report.
15. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley stated that her family has experienced a lot of the events so far this summer and Oakland
County Parks is doing a great job.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bagley announced a backup date for professional headshots to be taken on August 13th from 2-
4pm., and for Commissioners to provide their uniform orders before they leave.
Commissioner Nash thanked Oakland County Parks and staff for their participation with the Art Fish Fun
event this past June.
At 4:09 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to September 3, 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.