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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.07.15 - 43011 July 15, 2026 Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 2:01 p.m. in the Springfield Oaks Event Center, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, MI 48350. 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 & Enterprise Operations Esther Jackson, Manager – Strategic Planning & Performance Zach Crane, Supervisor – Design, Engineering & Compliance Tom Hughes, Chief – Park Operations – North 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 Julie O’Brien, Project Manager Engineer Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator Matt Pady, Park Supervisor – Springfield Oaks Andy Krumwiede, Strategic Sourcing Agent Simon Rivers, Planning Supervisor Jami Monte, Administrative Services Coordinator Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR BOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager Ryan Hart, Maintenance Supervisor MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF AFFAIRS & EXHIBITIONS Lisa Reiff, Executive Director PUBLIC Laurie Cooper, Former Oakland County Parks Employee Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc. Monika Sipe APPROVAL OF AGENDA McPherson moved to approve the agenda, as presented. Seconded by LaFontaine. 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 July 15, 2026 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Long moved to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2026 meeting, as presented. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Monika Sipe addressed the Commission regarding a small forest in Troy. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. Service Award: Laurie Cooper Chair Bagley recognized and thanked Laurie Cooper for her work and contributions to Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Chair Bagley thanked Mr. Scramlin for providing lunch prior to the meeting and his hospitality at the Fair. Mr. Scramlin thanked the Commission for its many years of support and shared the history of the Fair, noting that it dates back to 1850. Chair Bagley called on Ms. Smith who introduced the video highlighting how parks impact lives. The Commission expressed interest in sharing the video with the public through social media and other channels. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS B. FY2026 Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. Turtle Woods County Park – Concept Design Approval Erickson Gault moved to approve Turtle Woods County Park Concept plan and proceed with final design/ engineering for bidding. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. Multiple Park Locations - FY27 Roof Replacements McPherson moved to approve project expenditure not to exceed $220,000 for the FY27 multiple park roofing projects as identified. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Southfield Oaks Phase II Smith Charles moved to approve an expenditure not to exceed $1,680,000 to upscale and strengthen current construction efforts at Southfield Oaks. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. 2026 Strategic Partnership Grant – Charter Township of Royal Oak Smith Charles moved to authorize and recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of July 15, 2026 Page 3 the Park Development Grant Agreement with the Charter Township of Royal Oak for the Picnic Pavilion at Civic Center Park project, with a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $30,000. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. 2026 Strategic Partnership Grant – Water Resources Commissioner/City of Pontiac Baker moved to authorize and recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of the Park Development Grant Agreement with the Joseph Jones Drain Drainage District for the Site Amenities at Oakland Park project, with a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $28,582. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Nash abstaining. 6. 2026 Strategic Partnership Grant – City of Hazel Park McPherson moved to authorize and recommend to the Board of Commissioners approval of the Park Development Grant Agreement with the City of Hazel Park for the Viking Strong 55+ Fitness Program at Hazel Park Recreation Center project, with a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $82,307. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 7. FY2026 Capital Equipment Amendment Erickson Gault moved to approve the requested amendments to the FY2026 Capital Equipment Budget. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 8. Policy Updates Baker moved to adopt the following Commission Policies as presented: 1. C26-001, Commission Reserved Authority and Director Delegation, 2. C26-002, Integrated Park Plans and Park Zones, 3. C23-001, Ecologically Sensitive Protection Areas; 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. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Baker moved to amend the motion to remove C23-001, Ecologically Sensitive Protection Areas. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. July 15, 2026 Page 4 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 9. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. 10. Executive Committee Update Chair Bagley reflected on how parks change lives and distributed thank-you letters written by students from the Pontiac School District following their field trip to Bowers Farm. She noted how experiences like these support the department's educational mission and help plant the seeds for future stewardship. She also reminded Commissioners of Oakie’s Birthday Bash at Independence Oaks on July 24, as well as the several upcoming Employee Appreciation events. CLOSED SESSION 11. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property Smith Charles 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 Weatherspoon. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. The Commission went into Closed Session at 3:29 p.m. The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 4:19 p.m. Long moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by LaFontaine. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT At 4:20 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to August 5, 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.