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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025.12.03 - 42538 December 3, 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. She 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, Yolanda Smith Charles, Andrea LaFontaine, Ann Erickson Gault, Kate Baker, Lola Banks, Christine Long, Jim Nash, Shanell Weatherspoon COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Eric McPherson OTHERS PRESENT: PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director Alan Jaros, Deputy Director Jim Dunleavy, Manager – Park Management & Operations Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations & Maint. – North District Erik Koppin, Chief – Park Operations & Maint. – 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 Julie O’Brien, Project Manager Engineer Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator Kelley Moss, Recreation Program Supervisor Jami Monte, Staff Assistant Simon Rivers, Associate Planner Jess Whatley, Associate Planner Tiffany Mason, Communications & Marketing Assistant Libby Soncrainte, Recreation Program Coordinator Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, District Director Bindu Bhakta, Natural Resources Educator PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails Robin McGregor, Waterford Township resident PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. Staff Introduction – Amaylia Gasperich Mr. Syoen introduced Amaylia Gasperich as the new Office Support Clerk. 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 December 3, 2025 Page 2 B. Conservation Steward Program Ms. Bhakta provided an overview of the Conservation Steward Program. At 2:04 p.m., a quorum of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission was established. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Smith Charles moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Nash moved to approve the minutes of November 5, 2025, as presented. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. McGregor addressed the Commission regarding a meeting of the Waterford Board of Education held in November and provided copies of letters from residents for the Commission’s review. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS C. FY25 RPS Year-End Presentation Ms. Boyd provided a presentation of the FY25 RPS Year-End review. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS D. FY2026 Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report. E. FY2025 Golf Report Mr. Hughes provided an overview of the FY2025 golf season. F. Healthy Communities Report Mr. Rivers provided an overview of the Healthy Communities Report. G. Community Grants Report Mr. Rivers provided an overview of the Community Grants Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. OCPR FY2026 Proposed Fees & Charges Smith Charles moved to approve the OCPR FY2026 Proposed Fees and Charges, effective January 1, 2026. Seconded by Long. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. December 3, 2025 Page 3 2. Waterford Oaks Event Center – Facility Improvements Erickson Gault moved to approve expenditure Not to exceed $261,800 for the Waterford Oaks Event Center Facility Improvements. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Bloomfield Hills School District – Public Engagement and Partnership Agreement Strategy LaFontaine moved to authorize the Director to proceed with negotiations with Bloomfield Hills Schools regarding a potential long-term partnership for the Bowers Farm and Johnson Nature Center, consistent with Mission 26 strategic goals and guided by community input. The Director shall return to the Commission with a proposed 30-year operation and management agreement for review and approval prior to execution. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. 2026 Winter Park/Glow Tubing Sponsorship Weatherspoon moved to approve the 2026 Winter Park Sponsorship Agreement and authorize the Director to execute all necessary documents on behalf of Oakland County Parks. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. Waterford Oaks Park and Waterpark Vision Erickson Gault moved to authorize staff to present the preliminary vision for the future of Waterford Oaks Park and Waterpark excluding Options ____ discussed at today’s meeting and to release that preliminary vision to the public through the OCPR Co-Creation Lab for broad community engagement. Staff shall return to the Commission with refined concepts, financial models, and recommendations based on community input and further analysis. Seconded by Long. Smith Charles moved to amend the main motion to exclude Option #1. Motion to amend failed due to lack of a second. Bagley moved to amend the main motion to exclude Options #1 and #4. Seconded by Long. Motion to amend carried on a roll call vote with Smith Charles voting no. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 6. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. December 3, 2025 Page 4 7. Executive Committee Update There was no discussion on this item. CLOSED SESSION 8. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(a) – Chris Ward Performance Evaluation Baker moved that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission enter into Closed Session for the purposes of the performance evaluation of Chris Ward. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. The Commission went into Closed Session at 4:37 p.m. The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 4:46 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT At 4:47 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to January 7, 2026, or to the Call of the Chair. Andrea LaFontaine, OCPRC Secretary Jami Monte, Recording Secretary NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Commission approval.