HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.05.06 - 42830
May 6, 2026
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.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ebony Bagley, Yolanda Smith Charles, Andrea LaFontaine, Kate Baker, Lola Banks, Christine Long, Eric
McPherson, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Ann Erickson Gault, Jim Nash
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Alan Jaros, Deputy Director
Esther Jackson, Manager – Strategic Planning & Performance
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
Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator
Andy Krumwiede, Strategic Sourcing Agent
Simon Rivers, Planning Supervisor
Jami Monte, Administrative Services Coordinator
Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor
Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst
Brad Wethy, Asst. Parks Supervisor – Waterford Oaks
Anna Forshey, Recreation Program Coordinator
Taylor Van Dyke, Recreation Program Coordinator
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
Hilary Young, Recreation Program Specialist
MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director
PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
McPherson moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Long.
Motion carried on a voice vote with Banks absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
McPherson moved to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2026 regular meeting and the April 1,
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
May 6, 2026 Page 2
2026 Closed Session, as presented. Seconded by Smith Charles.
Motion carried on a voice vote with Banks absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Staff Introduction: Andy Krumweide
Mr. Syoen introduced Andy Krumweide as the new Strategic Sourcing Agent.
B. Staff Introduction: Taylor Van Dyke
Ms. Dorey introduced Taylor Van Dyke as the new Recreation Program Coordinator.
C. Farmers Market ’25 Report / ’26 Preview
Mr. Koppin presented the 2025 Farmers Market report and 2026 preview.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
D. Monthly Financial Report
Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Mission 26 Foundational Governance and System Alignment
Director Ward distributed the “Mission 26 Parks as Essential Civic Infrastructure” packet to the
Commission.
Smith Charles moved to receive and file the “Mission 26 Parks as Essential Civic Infrastructure”
packet. Seconded by Long.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. Proposed FY 2027-2029 Budget
a. FY 2027-2029 Operating Budget
b. Capital Improvement Plan
c. Capital Equipment Plan
Smith Charles moved to review the proposed FY 2027-2029 Operating Budget, FY 2027 Capital
Improvement Plan, and FY 2027 Capital Equipment Plan, for preliminary approval. Seconded by
McPherson.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Oakland County Farmers Market Relocation Feasibility Analysis
Baker moved to approve the site feasibility analysis, conceptual planning, and preliminary cost
estimating for the relocation of the Oakland County Farmers Market to a parcel on the south
county campus, located outside the Bicentennial Oaks footprint between the Board of
Commissioners building and the Bicentennial wetland complex, and forward to the Board of
Commissioners for authorization. Seconded by Smith Charles.
May 6, 2026 Page 3
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Clinton River Oaks Preliminary Integrated Park Plan
Smith Charles moved to approve the Clinton River Oaks Preliminary Integrated Park Plan and
authorize staff to complete the plan in compliance with the Interlocal Partnership Agreement
dated December 13, 2025, and submit the Final Integrated Park Plan to the City of Rochester’s
representative for approval. Seconded by LaFontaine.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
5. Phase One Integrated Park Plans for Discovery Oaks and Bloomfield Oaks
Baker moved to approve the Phase One Integrated Park Plans for Discovery Oaks and
Bloomfield Oaks and authorize the Director to transmit both documents to the Bloomfield Hills
Schools Superintendent to fulfill the Preliminary Park Action Plan requirement under Section 4.7
of the Interlocal Agreements. Seconded by Banks.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
6. Bloomfield Oaks and Discovery Oaks Interlocal Services Agreement with Bloomfield Hills
Schools
Smith Charles moved to approve the Interlocal Services Agreement between Oakland County
and Bloomfield Hills Schools for transition services and operational continuity at Discovery Oaks
and Bloomfield Oaks, in substantially the form attached, and authorization of the Chair of the
Board of Commissioners to execute the agreement on behalf of the County. Seconded by Baker.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
7. Bloomfield Oaks and Discovery Oaks Positions
Long moved to postpone this item until the next meeting on June 3, 2026. Seconded by Baker.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
8. CRAMBA Clinton River Oaks Agreement
Weatherspoon moved to approve the agreement with the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike
Association (CRAMBA) to support park staff with ongoing trail maintenance at Clinton River
Oaks, and authorize the Director to finalize the terms of the agreement, subject to review and
approval by Corporation Counsel. Seconded by LaFontaine.
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 and announced that Zach Zuchowicz was named in
the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2026.
May 6, 2026 Page 4
10. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley encouraged staff to explore installing signage in the parks regarding smoking and vaping.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
At 4:43 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to June 3, 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.