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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025.09.03 - 42313 September 3, 2025 Secretary LaFontaine called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 2:02 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room. Secretary LaFontaine announced the retirement of J. David VanderVeen from the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission as of September 1, 2025. She acknowledged and thanked him for his nearly 28 years of service, having held the position of Vice Chair for the past 13 years. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Yolanda Smith Charles, Andrea LaFontaine, Ann Erickson Gault, Kate Baker, Lola Banks, Christine Long, Eric McPherson, Jim Nash, Shanell Weatherspoon COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Ebony Bagley 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 Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations – North District Erik Koppin, Chief – Park Operations – South District 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 Mark Adams, Project Manager Engineer Darryn Horvath, Project Manager Engineer Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator Stephanie Mackey, Supervisor – Org & Employee Development Jon Noyes, Principal Planner Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst Jami Monte, Staff Assistant Cori McCarthy, Central Employee Records Coordinator Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc. Ann Capela, Royal Oak Township Manager Roman Wasylkovich, Waterford Community Greenways OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2800 WATKINS LAKE ROAD, WATERFORD, MICHIGAN 48328 Telephone: (248) 858-0906 REGULAR MEETING Ebony Bagley, Chair Yolanda Smith Charles Vice Chair Andrea LaFontaine Secretary Kate Baker Lola Banks Ann Erickson Gault Christine Long Eric McPherson Jim Nash Shanell Weatherspoon September 3, 2025 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Director Ward proposed to amend the agenda as follows: 1. Insert “Memorandum of Agreement with Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for Law Enforcement Services (2025-2027)” as Item 8 under the Regular Agenda. 2. Renumber Item 8, Director’s Report, as Item 9 under New & Miscellaneous Business. 3. Renumber Item 9, Executive Committee Update, as Item 10 under New & Miscellaneous Business. 4. Renumber Item 10, Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property, as Item 11 under Closed Session. Erickson Gault moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried on a voice vote with Long absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES McPherson moved to approve the minutes of August 6, 2025, as presented. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried on a voice vote with Long absent. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Capela addressed the Commission regarding Civic Center Park in Royal Oak Township. NOMINATION & ELECTION OF 2025 OFFICER A. Vice Chair Director Ward called for an election of Vice Chair. Erickson Gault nominated to elect Yolanda Smith Charles as Vice Chair. Seconded by McPherson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Long absent. Vice Chair Smith Charles thanked the Commission for her election and facilitated the remainder of the meeting. Director Ward announced that Chair Bagley has appointed Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault to serve as the at-large member of the Executive Committee. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS B. Introduction of Commissioner Eric McPherson Director Ward introduced Commissioner Eric McPherson who is now serving on this commission in the Road Commissioner seat. C. Introduction of Commissioner Kate Baker Director Ward introduced Commissioner Kate Baker who is now serving on this commission in the County Executive delegate seat. Each additional Commissioner provided a brief introduction of themselves. September 3, 2025 Page 3 D. Be Kind to Humankind Awards: Jon Noyes & Cori McCarthy Director Ward presented the Be Kind to Humankind Awards to Jon Noyes and Cori McCarthy. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS E. FY2025 Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2025 Monthly Financial Report and Budget update. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. Proposed FY 2026-2028 Budget a. FY 2026-2028 Operating Budget b. Capital Improvement Plan c. Capital Equipment Plan d. Maintenance Management and Natural Resources Plan Nash moved to: 1. approve the Fiscal Year 2026-2028 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Proposed Operating Budget and adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act resolution balancing total appropriations with available resources in the amount of $68,596,827; 2. approve FY 2025 Capital Equipment Plan at $4,500,000; 3. approve the FY2026 Capital Improvement Plan at $20,068,215; 4. approve the Maintenance Management and Natural Resources Management Plans (included in the operating budget); and 5. forward these recommendations to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for inclusion in the Oakland County Adopted FY2026-FY2028 budget; 6. authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks to establish and implement appropriate budgetary controls, policies, and procedures to ensure the effective allocation, oversight, and management of Commission funds, consistent with applicable County policies and in consultation with Corporation Counsel and the County’s Fiscal Services staff as needed. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Long absent. 2. Clinton River Oaks Park Partnership with the City of Rochester Hills for Bloomer Park Erickson Gault moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of the proposed Interlocal Agreement with the City of Rochester Hills for the long-term operation and management of North Bloomer Park, to be incorporated into Clinton River Oaks Park, and authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks and Recreation to finalize the agreement language with the advice and approval of Corporation Counsel. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Frost School Partnership Concept Weatherspoon moved to express preliminary interest in pursuing a collaborative concept with Pontiac Schools and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to repurpose the closed Frost Elementary School for community recreation, Sheriff PAL programming, public outreach, and related services; and further, that the Commission authorize staff to continue discussions with project partners, with the understanding that any proposed use agreement and investment plan will be brought back to the Commission for future review and approval. Seconded by Erickson September 3, 2025 Page 4 Gault. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Long voting no. 4. Pontiac Oaks – Additional Amenities and Enhancements Weatherspoon moved to approve expenditure Not to exceed $786,900, to add additional amenities and enhancements to the current upgrades in progress at Pontiac Oaks. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. Waterford Oaks – Additional Amenities and Enhancements Weatherspoon moved to approve expenditure Not to exceed $871,600, to add additional amenities and enhancements to the current scope of upgrades in progress at Waterford Oaks. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. Lyon Oaks Golf Course – Cart Path Replacement Long moved to approve expenditure Not to exceed $820,270 for Lyon Oaks Golf Course – Cart Path Replacement. Seconded by McPherson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 7. Waterford Township Property Acquisition (1600 Scott Lake Road) Baker moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of the proposed Purchase Agreement with The Stephan Ernst, Jr. Living Trust for the $270,000 to acquire 0.4 acres of property at 1600 Scott Lake Road in Waterford Township, and authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks and Recreation to finalize the agreement language with the advice and approval of Corporation Counsel. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 8. Memorandum of Agreement with Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for Law Enforcement Services (2025-2027) Long moved to approve the Memorandum of Agreement for Law Enforcement Services with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Seconded by Banks. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 9. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. September 3, 2025 Page 5 10. Executive Committee Update Vice Chair Smith Charles stated that there were no further updates than what has already been discussed. CLOSED SESSION 11. 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 Banks. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Long absent. The Commission went into Closed Session at 4:22 p.m. The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 4:56 p.m. McPherson moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nash advised the Commission that his office is putting on a celebration in Pontiac regarding the Augusta Drain project and they are welcome to contact him for details to attend. Vice Chair Smith Charles reminded commissioners that the next OCPRC meeting will be held off site at the Red Oaks Golf Course at 1:00 p.m., and that the Commissioner Golf Outing and lunch will be held prior to the meeting. At 5:00 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to October 1, 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.