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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.03.11 - 42770 March 11, 2026 Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 2:02 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Ebony Bagley, 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: None OTHERS PRESENT: PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director Alan Jaros, Deputy Director Jim Dunleavy, Manager – Park Management & Operations Esther Jackson, Manager – Strategic Planning & Performance Zach Crane, Supervisor – Design, Engineering & Compliance Colin Gibbs, Chief – Facilities Maintenance 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 Kevin Syoen, Chief – Budget & Procurement Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator Andy Krumwiede, Strategic Sourcing Agent Simon Rivers, Planning Supervisor Tiffany Mason, Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator Jami Monte, Staff Assistant Andrea Austin, Graphic Designer Garrett Ebbeling, Graphic Designer Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR BOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager Sara Ressler, Assistant General Manager Ryan Hart, Maintenance Supervisor PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc. Roman Wasylkovich, Waterford Greenways Erin Watson, Bowers Farm APPROVAL OF AGENDA Smith Charles moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Long. Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. 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 March 11, 2026 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES McPherson moved to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2026 regular meeting and the January 7, 2026 Closed Session, as presented. Seconded by LaFontaine. Motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. Staff Introduction: Dr. Esther Jackson Director Ward introduced Dr. Esther Jackson as the new Manager of Parks Strategic Planning & Performance. B. 2025 American Graphic Design Awards Chair Bagley presented the 2025 American Graphic Design Awards to Garrett Ebbeling and Andrea Austin. C. MiFamily Mini-Grant Award Ms. Smith provided a brief overview of the $10,000 MiFamily Mini-Grant Award that was received. D. Co-Creation Lab Presentation Ms. Caltagirone provided a brief overview of the Co-Creation Lab platform. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS E. Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the Monthly Financial Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. Adoption of Mission 26 Strategic Transformation Plan & Implementation Actions Baker moved to adopt the Mission 26 Strategic Transformation Plan and approve the attached Resolution Adopting the Mission 26 Strategic Transformation Plan and Authorizing Implementation and System Alignment, together with the supporting documents included in the Commission packet. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. Heritage Oaks Park Interlocal Agreement – Amendment #1 Weatherspoon moved to approve and forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Amendment #1 to the Interlocal Agreement between the County of Oakland and the City of Farmington Hills for Heritage Park, extending the timeline for completion of the Parks Action Plan (PAP), Programming and Operations Management Plan (POMP), and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) associated with the Heritage Park partnership by sixty (60) days. Seconded by LaFontaine. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. March 11, 2026 Page 3 3. Heritage Oaks Park Action Plan, POMP and CIP Nash moved to: 1. Approve the Heritage Oaks Integrated Park Plan, encompassing the Park Action Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and Park Operations and Management Plan; 2. Approve the Heritage Oaks Supplementary Plan Document, which provides additional implementation context and transition guidance associated with the Integrated Park Plan; and 3. Authorize the Director to implement the approved plans and execute any necessary administrative documents on behalf of the Commission. Seconded by Long. Baker moved to amend the motion as follows: 1. Approve the preliminary Heritage Oaks Integrated Park Plan, encompassing the Park Action Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and Park Operations and Management Plan; 2. Approve the Heritage Oaks Supplementary Plan Document, which provides additional implementation context and transition guidance associated with the Integrated Park Plan; and 3. Authorize the Director to implement the approved plans and execute any necessary administrative documents on behalf of the Commission. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. Interlocal Partnership Agreements with Bloomfield Hills School District – Johnson Nature Center and Bowers Farm LaFontaine moved to: 1. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Bloomfield Hills Schools for Johnson Nature Center and authorize the Director to finalize the terms of the agreement, subject to review and approval by Corporation Counsel. 2. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Bloomfield Hills Schools for Bowers Farm and authorize the Director to finalize the terms of the agreement, subject to review and approval by Corporation Counsel. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. City of Ferndale Community Grant Program Agreement - Amendment Baker moved to approve the Oakland County Parks Community Park and Trail Capital Grant Program Agreement Amendment between the County of Oakland and the City of Ferndale, and to forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. 9Line Corridor Phase II Memorandum of Understanding Smith Charles moved to approve the 9 Line Corridor Phase II Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Oakland, the cities of Novi, Northville, and South Lyon, and the Charter March 11, 2026 Page 4 Township of Lyon, and to forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by LaFontaine. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 7. Madison Heights Property Acquisition (30521 Hales Street) Erickson Gault moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of the proposed Purchase Agreement with Sharon A Sinclair and Carol A Shulgon for the $325,000 to acquire 0.76 acres of property at 30521 Hales St in Madison Heights, 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. 8. FY2026 Capital Equipment Budget Amendment Smith Charles moved to approve the proposed amendments to the FY2026 Capital Equipment Budget. Seconded by McPherson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 9. Fourth Amendment to the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association Agreement Long moved to approve the Fourth Amendment to the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association Agreement. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 10. FY27 DNR ORV Trail Improvement Program Grant Application Approval Banks moved to approve Oakland County Parks’ (OCP) application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Off-Road Trail Improvement Program for $150,000, and to forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 11. Authorization for Parks Director to Execute Certain Contracts Baker moved to request that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopt a resolution authorizing the Oakland County Parks Director to execute contracts and agreements on behalf of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, consistent with MCL 46.353, and subject to full compliance with Oakland County purchasing policies and procedures, including required procurement processes, fiscal review, and legal approval. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Commissioner McPherson requested an update on the Rackham Golf Course negotiations and Director Ward provided it. March 11, 2026 Page 5 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 12. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. 13. Executive Committee Update Chair Bagley advised that there is no update on this item. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Chair Bagley encouraged Commissioners to attend the Marshmallow Drop on April 3rd. Ms. Monte outlined the promotional materials that were distributed to Commissioners. At 4:02 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to April 1, 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.