County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee

Joseph Allen

Bernie Blackmore Chairman

Eugene Dawson

Minutes – January 30, 2006

Members Present:

Joe Allen, Bernie Blackmore and Gene Dawson

Members Absent:

None

Staff Present:

Joe Meyers

Others Present:

Janet Person and Mike Meriwether

1.         Meeting called to order at 8:57 a.m. 

2.         Public Comment

None. 

3.         Forestry Update

Mike Meriwether, County Forester, gave an update on projects relating to forestry in the County.  Mr. Meriwether informed the Committee that the Memorandum of Understanding for Administration of County Forest Lands has expired and needs to be updated.  Janet Person, Executive Director of the Antrim Conservation District, informed the Committee that she will retype the agreement and bring it to the next Board of Commissioners meeting.

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend the Board of Commissioners renew the Memorandum of Understanding for the Administration of County Forest Lands.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

Discussion ensued about the trail at Barnes Park.  The Committee inquired about who was paying for the trail.  Ms. Person described that it will be paid for by the grant that she had wrote and received for the County.  Mr. Meriwether also asked if the Committee would recommend to the Parks Committee that he be allowed to do some timber cuts in the park. 

Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Joe Allen, to allow the County Forester to proceed with the forest management in the Barnes Park forestland and proceed with the hard trail throughout the forestland also, recommend the Parks Committee allow the forester to cut within the park.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Mr. Meriwether noted that the Lewis Road timber cut is proceeding today.  Mr. Meriwether further noted that the Antrim Conservation District will be constructing timber bridges over Mitchell Road and Roberts Road.  Ms. Person noted that she is waiting on prices. 

4.          Ball Fields

Discussion ensued over the ball fields that the Village of Bellaire is leasing. 

The last CLAF meeting the Committee tasked Mr. Meyers with finding out potential properties the county could want as a trade for the ball field site.  Mr. Meyers informed the Committee that the two things that Mr. Garwood could think of would be the parking lot next to the Red Cross building and annexation for Meadow Brook and Meadowview.  

Further discussion ensued over the “pros” and “cons” over each property.  Mr. Dawson indicated that he would feel better if we did not make any decisions on the property until we decide where the future site for the jail will go. 

5.          Township Ambulance Authority

Mr. Meyers indicated that Terry Smith, Forest Home Township Supervisor, had completed his tasks and the rest is in the hands of the Antrim County Legal Counsel. 

6.           Communications   

None.

7.            Member/Public Comment

None

Meeting Adjourned at 9:45 a.m.