HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.04.01 - 42817
April 1, 2026
Secretary LaFontaine called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to
order at 2:00 p.m. in the Parks Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrea LaFontaine, Ann Erickson Gault, Kate Baker, Lola Banks, Christine Long, Eric McPherson, Jim
Nash, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Ebony Bagley, Yolanda Smith Charles
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Alan Jaros, Deputy Director
Jim Dunleavy, Manager – Park Management & Operations
Esther Jackson, Manager – Strategic Planning & Performance
Sarah Cook-Maylen, Chief – Natural Resources Management
Zach Crane, Supervisor – Design, Engineering & Compliance
Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations – North District
Brandy Sotke-Boyd, Chief – Recreation Programs & Services
Kevin Syoen, Chief – Budget & Procurement
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst
Jami Monte, Staff Assistant
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director
Lisa Mazzola, 4-H Program Coordinator
Cheyenne Shields, 4-H Program Coordinator
PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc.
Madison Conforte
Lance Stokes
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Weatherspoon moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Long.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Baker moved to approve the minutes of March 11, 2026, as presented. Seconded by
Weatherspoon.
Motion carried 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
April 1, 2026 Page 2
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Campgrounds / ORV Presentation
Mr. Hughes provided an overview of the 2025 Campgrounds and ORV season.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
B. Monthly Financial Report
Mr. Syoen presented the Monthly Financial Report.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Waterford Oaks BMX Agreement
Nash moved to approve the License Agreement between the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission (OCPRC) and O.C. BMX for the use of the Waterford Oaks BMX Track.
Seconded by Long.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. FY2026 Capital Equipment Budget Amendment
McPherson moved to approve the proposed amendments to the FY2026 Capital Equipment
Budget. Seconded by Baker.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Parks Facility/Property Use Agreement Update
McPherson moved to approve the updated Parks Facility/Property Use Agreement, including
Parts I and II, and to authorize the Director to approve and modify Part III (Rules for Specific
Facility/Property). Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Authorization to Execute Master Research Agreement with Oakland University
Long moved to authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks and Recreation to execute a
Master Research Agreement with Oakland University, in substantially the form presented,
subject to final review and approval as to form by Corporation Counsel; provided that the Director
is further authorized to approve non-substantive modifications, technical corrections, or form
revisions requested by Corporation Counsel without further action of the Commission. Seconded
by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
April 1, 2026 Page 3
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
5. Director’s Report
Director Ward presented his report.
6. Executive Committee Update
Secretary LaFontaine noted that there is no update on this item.
CLOSED SESSION
7. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property
McPherson 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 Long.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Commission went into Closed Session at 2:33 p.m.
The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 3:23 p.m.
Erickson Gault moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by
Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
Deputy Director Jaros highlighted upcoming summer camp promotional materials that were distributed
to Commissioners.
At 3:24 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to May 6, 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.