County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee
Joseph Allen			Bernie Blackmore Chairman	Eugene Dawson
Minutes – October 2, 2006
Members Present:		Bernie Blackmore, Joe Allen and Gene Dawson
Members Absent:		None
Staff Present:		Joe Meyers, Charlie Koop, Mark Randolph, and Pete Garwood
Others Present:		Mike Meriwether
1.         Meeting called to order at 9:01 a.m.
2.         Public Comment
	None.
3.         Forestry Update
	Mike Meriwether informed the Committee of the Bundy Hill timber sale and noted that the bids were due on October 30, 2006.  Mike noted that 55 companies were sent the bid sheet. Mike also noted that he has marked 100 pines on the Valley Road property to be bundled into a joint sale with one of the surrounding property owners.  The Committee discussed a County lands tour for this fall but due to the short time period and other projects in the works, the Committee decided that next spring would be a better time for the tour. Mike informed the Committee that he submitted a grant for interpretive signs for the forestry trail at Barnes Park to help offset the cost and indicated that he is continuing to work on getting wood chips for the forestry trail at Barnes Park. Discussion ensued over spending money from the forestry fund without it being reviewed by CLAF.  The Committee also discussed the Sevald property and ways to fund the acquisition.   Mike spoke on the work that he does regarding private and public property. The Committee discussed the Grass River Natural Area property that was purchased out of the forestry fund. Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Joe Allen, to draft a letter to Jack White, asking if land acquisitions should come through the County Lands, Agriculture, and Forestry Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.   The Committee discussed the new law lifting forestry restrictions on County forestry lands that were acquired from the State.  This matter was tabled until next meeting. The committee discussed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for forestry services with the Antrim Conservation District.  The Committee went over the changes that Charlie Koop made from the original MOU.  Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the Memorandum of Understanding as amended.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.          Grass River Natural Area
	Mark spoke on the rail trail the County has a claim to but does not own.  Mark indicated that the County could quit claim the trail to Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) so they could work with the landowners that own the property.  Charlie advised the Committee that they could do this.  Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Board of Commissioners quit claim the interest on the trail that the County does not own to Grass River Natural Area.  Motion carried – unanimous.
5.           Memorandum of Understanding
	Motion by Gene Dawson, supported by Joe Allen, to go into closed session to discuss the memo written by Charlie Koop regarding the lease amendments.  Motion carried – unanimous.
6.         Ball fields
	The Committee went into closed session at 10:40 a.m. The Committee resumed open session at 10:55 a.m. Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Gene Dawson, to not accept the lease amendments to the ball fields.  Motion carried – unanimous. Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Gene Dawson, to send the Board of Commissioners the trail easement amendments.  Motion carried – unanimous.
7.           Communications
	None.
8.            Member/Public Comment
	None.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.