HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.06.03 - 42897
June 3, 2026
Chair Bagley 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:
Ebony Bagley, Yolanda Smith Charles, Ann Erickson Gault, Kate Baker, Lola Banks, Christine Long, Eric
McPherson, Jim Nash, Shanell Weatherspoon
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Andrea LaFontaine
OTHERS PRESENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION Chris Ward, Director
Alan Jaros, Deputy Director
Jim Dunleavy, Manager – Park Management & Operations
Esther Jackson, Manager – Strategic Planning & Performance
Colin Gibbs, Chief – Facilities Maintenance
Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations – North District
Bill Singleton, Chief – Business Systems
Ashlie Smith, Chief – Nature & Outdoor Education
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
Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst
Sean Zera, Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Megan Schildberg, GIS CAD Technician Senior
Brad Wethy, Assistant Park Supervisor – Waterford Oaks
Robert Jeglum, Skilled Maintenance Mechanic II
Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist
Hilary Young, Recreation Program Specialist
MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director
Lisa Mazzola, 4-H Program Coordinator
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY Sarah Cook-Maylen, Manager
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER Jack Barshaw, Administrative Assistant to Elected Official
PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc.
Rose Murphy
Roman Wasylkovich, Waterford Greenways
Paul Zachos
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
June 3, 2026 Page 2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Long moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
McPherson moved to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2026 meeting, as presented. Seconded
by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Service Award: Sarah Cook-Maylen
Chair Bagley recognized and thanked Sarah Cook-Maylen for her work and contributions to Oakland
County Parks and Recreation.
B. Communications and Marketing Review 2025
Ms. Stanfield provided an overview of the Communications and Marketing Review 2025.
C. 9-Line Corridor Updates
Mr. Rivers provided updates on the 9-Line Corridor.
D. Staff Appreciation – Events, Awards
Ms. Jackson provided an overview of staff appreciation awards, acknowledgements and upcoming
events. In particular, she noted and thanked Jim Dunleavy on his 40-year work anniversary and Desiree
Stanfield on her 35-year work anniversary.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS
E. Monthly Financial Report
Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report.
F. MSUE 2025 Annual Report
Ms. Evans provided an overview of the MSUE 2025 Annual Report.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. 2026 Water Safety & Swim Lesson Partnership MOU
Long moved to approve to the 2026 Collaborative Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
between the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority and Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission to develop the Water Safety and Swim Lessons program at Waterford Kettering
Pool to residents of Pontiac and neighboring areas, and to expand efforts to reduce drownings
and increase water safety, and forward to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded
by Weatherspoon.
June 3, 2026 Page 3
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. Recognizing July is Park and Recreation Month
McPherson moved to approve the resolution proposing July 2026 as Park and Recreation Month
and forward to the Board of Commissioners. Seconded by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. Commission Policy Modernization Package
Baker moved to adopt the Resolution Adopting the Commission Policy Modernization Package,
including adoption of proposed Commission Policies C26-001, C26-002, C26-003, C26-008, and
C26-010; amendment of Commission Policies C23-001 and C25-001; retirement of prior Nature
Preserve and Nature Discovery designations with no park or portion of a park designated under
those retired categories after adoption of the package, without negating, amending, delaying, or
complicating administration of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant process for the
Turtle Woods acquisition project; renaming Turtle Woods Nature Discovery Park as Turtle
Woods County Park; repeal of superseded Commission Policy C09-001; authorization for non-
substantive edits based upon Corporation Counsel recommendation; and authorization for the
Director to implement a new Commission policy codification system and renumber policies as
needed.
Following discussion, Bagley moved to postpone consideration of this item until the July 15,
2026, regular meeting. Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion to postpone carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. Bloomfield Oaks / Discovery Oaks Interlocal Services Agreement with Bloomfield Hills
Schools - Revised
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, and authorize 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.
5. FY2026 Michigan Invasive Species Grant Acceptance
Smith Charles moved to approve the project agreement for the FY2026 Michigan Invasive
Species Grant Program and forward to the Board of Commissioners for their approval.
Seconded by Long.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
6. FY2026 EGLE Great Lakes Management Program Grant Acceptance
Nash moved to approve the grant agreement for the FY2026 EGLE Great Lakes Management
Program Grant Acceptance and forward to the Board of Commissioners for their approval.
Seconded by Erickson Gault.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
June 3, 2026 Page 4
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
7. Director’s Report
Director Ward provided an overview of his report, including an update on the Southfield Oaks project
status and phased implementation approach.
8. Executive Committee Update
Chair Bagley advised that there are no updates on this item.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Nash invited Commissioners to attend the Art, Fish, Fun event at Beaudette Park on
June 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Chair Bagley reminded Commissioners that the next meeting will be held at the Springfield Oaks Event
Center on July 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., during the Oakland County Fair. She encouraged Commissioners
to visit the Fair during its July 10-19 run.
Chair Bagley announced the birth of Commissioner LaFontaine's baby late last month.
At 3:45 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned to July 15, 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.