Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026.09.02 - 43166 September 2, 2026 Chair Bagley called the meeting of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 2:02 p.m. in the Independence Oaks - Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, Michigan 48348. Chair Bagley called on Ms. Smith, who provided a welcome introduction to the Wint Nature Center. Chair Bagley thanked staff for hosting the archery event held prior to the meeting and stated that everyone had a good time. 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 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 Erin Watson, Chief – Health and Wellness Activation 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 Aileen Matney, Project Advisor Sandy Dorey, Recreation Program Supervisor Louise Kavanaugh, Recreation Program Supervisor Liz Caltagirone, Data Analyst Haley Hansen, Community Liaison Kristian Alexander, Parks Naturalist Shannon Kenny, Administrative Specialist MSU EXTENSION Kristi Evans, Director PUBLIC Mary Blanchard, Manager – Holly Twp. Parks & Recreation Rex Mathewson, Headwater Trails, Inc. 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 September 2, 2026 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Bagley proposed to amend the agenda as follows: 1. Remove Item 7, Red Oaks Backlot Purchase Agreement, from the Regular Agenda. 2. Remove Item 8, Independence Oaks – Alpha Towers PropCo III LLC Cell Tower Lease, from the Regular Agenda. 3. Reletter Item 9, Update to Fees and Charges for Discovery Oaks and Bloomfield Oaks, to Item 7, under the Regular Agenda. 4. Reletter Item 10, Service Agreement with Friends of Bowers Farm, to Item 8, under the Regular Agenda. 5. Reletter Item 11, Director’s Report, to Item 9, under New & Miscellaneous Business. 6. Reletter Item 12, Executive Committee Update, to Item 10, under New & Miscellaneous Business. 7. Reletter Item 13, Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property, to Item 11, under Closed Session. LaFontaine moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Long. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Long moved to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2026 regular meeting and the August 5, 2026 Closed Session, as presented. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS A. Staff Introduction: Erin Watson Deputy Director Jaros introduced Erin Watson as the new Chief of Health & Wellness Activation. B. DEI and Community Engagement Presentation Mr. Zuchowicz provided a brief overview of Parks DEI and community engagement. C. Impact of Free Entry Ms. Caltagirone presented a report on the impact of free entry. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS D. FY2026 Monthly Financial Report Mr. Syoen provided an overview of the FY2026 Monthly Financial Report. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 1. Licensed Program Provider Commission Policy Smith Charles moved to adopt the Licensed Program Provider Commission Policy, as presented. Seconded by Weatherspoon. September 2, 2026 Page 3 Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. Repeal of the Media Inquiry Policy (C13-001) Weatherspoon moved to repeal the Media Inquiry Policy, C13-001. Seconded by Erickson Gault. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. Repeal of the Parks Promotional Items Policy (C09-008) Smith Charles moved to repeal the Parks Promotional Items Policy, C09-008. Seconded by LaFontaine. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. Proposed FY 2027-2029 Budget a. FY 2027-2029 Operating Budget b. Capital Improvement Plan c. Capital Equipment Plan LaFontaine moved to: • Approve the Fiscal Year 2027-2029 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Operating Budget and adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 General Appropriations Act resolution balancing total appropriations with available resources; • Approve the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Plan; • Approve the FY 2027 Capital Equipment Plan; • Forward these recommendations to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for inclusion in the Oakland County Adopted FY 2027-FY 2029 Budget; and • Authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks to establish and implement appropriate budgetary controls, policies, and procedures to ensure the effective allocation, oversight, and management of Commission funds, consistent with applicable County policies and in consultation with Corporation Counsel and the County's Fiscal Services staff as needed, as presented. Seconded by Baker. Erickson Gault moved to amend the main motion as follows: • Approve the Fiscal Year 2027-2029 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Operating Budget and adopt recommend adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 General Appropriations Act resolution balancing total appropriations with available resources; • Approve the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Plan; • Approve the FY 2027 Capital Equipment Plan; • Forward these recommendations to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for inclusion in the Oakland County Adopted FY 2027-FY 2029 Budget; and • Authorize the Director of Oakland County Parks to establish and implement appropriate budgetary controls, policies, and procedures to ensure the effective allocation, oversight, and management of Commission funds, consistent with applicable County policies and in consultation with Corporation Counsel and the County's Fiscal Services staff as needed, as presented. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. September 2, 2026 Page 4 Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. Lyon Oaks Day Use, Dog Park and Recreation Area Parking and Stormwater Improvement Project Erickson Gault moved to approve expenditures not to exceed $1,800,908 for the paving and stormwater scope of the Lyon Oaks Day Use, Dog Park and Recreation Area Parking and Stormwater Improvement Project. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. White Lake Oaks Golf Course – State Land Acquisition Long moved to authorize the submission of an Application for Conveyance of State Land for Public Purposes, in the amount of $300, to acquire 0.94 acres of property in Waterford Township from the State of Michigan, conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and forward to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Seconded by Smith Charles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 7. Update to Fees and Charges for Discovery Oaks and Bloomfield Oaks Smith Charles moved to approve the updated Oakland County Parks and Recreation Fees and Charges as presented, adding fees for programs, facilities, and services at Discovery Oaks and Bloomfield Oaks effective October 1, 2026. Seconded by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 8. Service Agreement with Friends of Bowers Farm Long moved to approve the Service Agreement between Oakland County Parks and Friends of Bowers Farm substantially in the form presented, and authorize the Director, in coordination with Purchasing and subject to review and approval by Corporation Counsel, to finalize non-material administrative and legal terms necessary for execution. 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. 10. Executive Committee Update There were no updates on this item. CLOSED SESSION 11. Pursuant to MCL 15.268(d) – Discussion to consider the purchase or lease of real property Chair Bagley stated that Closed Session will not be held because it has been deemed unnecessary. September 2, 2026 Page 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Chair Bagley reminded commissioners that Arts, Beats & Eats runs Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7 in Royal Oak. Vice Chair Smith Charles thanked staff at Holly Oaks ORV Park for hosting an employee appreciation event on August 27, as well as Independence Oaks and Recreation Programs and Service staff for today’s archery event. At 3:16 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned to October 7, 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.