Parks and Lands Committee
Mike Hayes			Bernie Blackmore, Chairman	Mike Crawford
MINUTES
August 5, 2010
Members Present:		Bernie Blackmore, Mike Hayes, and Mike Crawford
Members Absent:		None
Staff Present:		Joe Meyers
Others Present:		Mike Meriwether, Eileen Wallick, and Debbie Hershey
1.  Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2.  Public Comment
	Laura Sexton, County Clerk, spoke to the Commissioners on how Antrim County is going to be involved in a large recount for the County regarding the primary elections.
3.  Petoskey Stone Festival Budget Request
	Christy Roman, Antrim Conservation District Director, presented the Petoskey Stone Festival Budget. Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Mike Hayes, to recommend the Finance Committee approve the Petoskey Stone Festival Budget and recommend the Board of Commissioners approve appropriating $500 to the 2011 Festival.  Motion carried – unanimous.
4.  Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update
	Debbie Hershey, Director of the GRNA, gave an update on Grass River and presented the Appropriation Request. Discussion ensued over the request.  Discussion ensued over the structure of GRNA. Motion by Mike Hayes, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend the Finance Committee approve the Appropriation for Grass River Natural Area.  Motion carried – Yea: Mike Hayes, Bernie Blackmore; No: Mike Crawford.
5.  Lakes of the North Property
	Discussion ensued over the Lakes of the North Property that Antrim County bought from the County Treasurer.  The Committee asked Mike Meriwether to attend the next Lakes of the North board meeting to discuss the property/lot.
6.  Barnes Park Update
	Eileen Wallick, Barnes Park Manager, gave an update on Barnes Park.
7.  County Forestry Update
	Mike Meriwether presented an update on the Forestry.  Discussion also ensued over the Elk Rapids Day Park Pavilion replacement for 2011. Joe Meyers informed the Committee that Legislation to exempt the County from paying the Commercial Forestry Reserve (CFR) release has stalled in the State senate.  Mr. Meyers indicated that the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has indicated they would like to try to raise the difference between the costs of what has been committed to pay to release the property in March and what it would cost to release the property.  Motion by Mike Hayes, supported Mike Crawford, to reaffirm our commitment to not  exceed a cost of $28,000 to pull the Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area out of the Commercial Forestry Reserve program.  Motion carried – unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.