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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.08.05 - 43017 August 5, 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, 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 Simon Rivers, Chief – Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives 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 Julie O’Brien, Project Manager Engineer Zach Zuchowicz, DEI & Community Engagement Coordinator Andy Krumwiede, Strategic Sourcing Agent Jon Noyes, Planner Principal Jami Monte, Administrative Services Coordinator Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor Lou Kavanaugh, Recreation Program Supervisor Kelley Moss, Recreation Program Supervisor Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst Haley Hansen, Community Liaison Brad Wethy, Asst. Parks Supervisor – Waterford Oaks Anna Forshey, Recreation Program Coordinator Libby Soncrainte, Recreation Program Coordinator Taylor Van Dyke, Recreation Program Coordinator Shannon Kenny, Technical Office Specialist WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER Jack Barshaw, Administrative Assistant to Elected Official OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR BOARD LC Scramlin, General Manager PUBLIC Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc. Jane Bais-DiSessa, Chair – Holly Twp. Parks & Recreation Commission Mary Blanchard, Manager – Holly Twp. Parks & Recreation 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 August 5, 2026 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Bagley proposed to amend the agenda as follows: 1. Remove Item B, Staff Introduction: Erin Watson, from the Presentations/Recognitions section. 2. Reletter Item C, Staff Introduction: Lou Kavanaugh, to Item B under the Presentations/ Recognitions section. 3. Reletter Item D, Adaptive and 55+ Programs Presentation, to Item C, under the Presentations/ Recognitions section. 4. Reletter Item E, Monthly Financial Report, to Item D, under the Communications/Reports section. LaFontaine moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion carried on a voice vote with Smith Charles, Banks and Long absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES McPherson moved to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2026 regular meeting and the July 15, 2026 Closed Session, as presented. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried on a voice vote with Smith Charles absent. PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. 2026 Oakland County Fair Mr. Scramlin stated that the 2026 Oakland County Fair, held July 10 – 19, was well attended despite the reduced operating hours on some days because of extreme heat and poor air quality concerns. He thanked the Commission for their partnership and encouraged them to come to the Michigan State Fair September 3 – 7. Chair Bagley introduced Haley Hansen who is currently training to learn Parks Commission meeting procedures and provide coverage when Ms. Monte is unavailable. B. Staff Introduction: Lou Kavanaugh Ms. Smith introduced Lou Kavanaugh as the new Recreation Program Supervisor. C. Adaptive and 55+ Programs Presentation Ms. Dorey provided an update on the Adaptive and 55+ programs. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS D. Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. City of Pontiac Community Grant Agreement - Amendment Weatherspoon 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 Pontiac, and to forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Nash. August 5, 2026 Page 3 Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. 2026 Strategic Partnership Grant – City of Ferndale Baker moved to approve the Park Development Grant Agreement with the City of Ferndale for Basketball Courts and Accessibility Improvements at Lennon Memorial Park, with a Strategic Partnership Grant in the amount of $100,000, and forward to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Groveland Oaks Restroom Improvements LaFontaine moved to approve expenditure not to exceed $2,544,870 to complete construction & renovation of two restrooms. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. Restroom Installations – Glen Oaks Golf Course & Orion Oaks Smith Charles moved to approve project expenditure not to exceed $1,590,000 for Restroom Installations at Glen Oaks Golf Course & Orion Oaks. Seconded by Long. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Commissioner Nash left at this time. 5. Golf Course Irrigation System Improvements – Springfield & Lyon Oaks Smith Charles moved to approve expenditure for the Lyon Oaks and Springfield Oaks Golf Course Irrigation Replacement project in the not to exceed amount of $1,476,650. Seconded by Baker. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. Restroom Installations – Glen Oaks Golf Course & Orion Oaks Smith Charles moved to reconsider the vote on the Restroom Installations – Glen Oaks Golf Course & Orion Oaks motion. Seconded by Long. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. McPherson moved to amend the main motion as follows: “Move to approve project expenditure not to exceed $1,590,000 for Restroom Installations at Glen Oaks Golf Course & Orion Oaks, with the requirement that the restroom buildings be constructed with standing seam metal roofs”. Seconded by Baker. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Long moved to approve the main motion, as amended. Seconded by McPherson. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. Bloomfield Oaks/Discovery Oaks Capital Equipment Purchase LaFontaine moved to approve the requested amendments to the FY2026 Capital Equipment August 5, 2026 Page 4 Budget. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 7. Amendment #1 to the Interlocal Agreement between the County of Oakland and Bloomfield Hills Schools for Bowers Farm (Discovery Oaks) LaFontaine moved to approve Amendment #1 to the Interlocal Agreement between the County of Oakland and Bloomfield Hills Schools for Bowers Farm (Discovery Oaks), and forward to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 8. Bloomfield Oaks Conceptual Site Plan Director Ward called on Mr. Noyes to present the Bloomfield Oaks Conceptual Site Plan. 9. Discovery Oaks Conceptual Site Plan Mr. Noyes presented the Discovery Oaks Conceptual Site Plan. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 10. Director’s Report Director Ward provided an overview of his report. 11. Executive Committee Update Chair Bagley advised that there are no updates on this item. CLOSED SESSION 12. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property Long 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 Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. The Commission went into Closed Session at 3:37 p.m. The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 4:34 p.m. Smith Charles moved to direct staff to proceed as discussed in Closed Session. Seconded by Weatherspoon. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. August 5, 2026 Page 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Chair Bagley reminded commissioners that the next OCPRC meeting will be held off -site at the Independence Oaks – Wint Nature Center at 2:00 p.m., and that the Commissioners’ archery event and lunch will be held prior to the meeting. Commissioner Baker announced that the Policy Modernization Workgroup is continuing to meet and will begin bringing revised policies before the Parks Commission for consideration as they are completed. Commissioner McPherson inquired about the recent fatal incident at the Holly Oaks ORV Park. Director Ward provided an update, and Deputy Director Jaros commended staff for their response and adherence to emergency protocols. Further discussion was held. At 4:40 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to September 2, 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.