Parks and Lands Committee
Joseph Allen			Bernie Blackmore, Chairman	Mike Crawford
MINUTES
February 4, 2010
Members Present:		Bernie Blackmore and Mike Crawford
Members Absent:		Joe Allen
Staff Present:		Pete Garwood
Others Present:		Mike Meriwether and Eileen Wallick
1.  Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2.  Public Comment
	David Peterson introduced himself as the new Helena Township Clerk.
3.  Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update
	Melynda Bagley, Interim Director, and Deborah Hershey, the new GRNA Director, joined the meeting.  Ms. Hershey was introduced to the other meeting attendees. Ms. Bagley inquired about how to make the GRNA entrance road a year-round road instead of seasonal.  She was told to contact the Road Commission.  Ms. Bagley informed the Committee of the upcoming events at the GRNA.
4.  Petoskey Stone Festival
	Christy Roman, Antrim Conservation District Director joined the meeting.  Ms. Roman indicated she was there in place of Linda Gallagher.  Ms. Roman requested that vendors participating in the Petoskey Stone Festival be given a discount if they want to stay at Barnes Park.  Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend the Board of Commissioners give the Petoskey Stone Festival vendors who camp at the park during the Festival a $5.00 a night discount for Friday and Saturday nights on Memorial Day weekend, only.  Motion Carried – Unanimous.
5.  GRNA/ORV Issues
	This is an issue that first came up a few months ago.  Individuals are riding their ORVs in the GRNA and have also set up a paintball area with bunkers and other places to hide.  After it was discussed last, there was some confusion regarding who the participants might be. Melynda Bagley gave an update on the last action on this issue.  Sheriff Bean and Undersheriff Pratt joined the meeting.  Undersheriff Pratt indicated Officer Tilley, as the Recreation Officer, has been put on regular patrol of the area.  Undersheriff Pratt was looking for direction on the issue. At this point, the GRNA Staff and the Sheriff Department agree upon who is likely the responsible party.  The Sheriff will send an officer to talk to the resident who appears to be the perpetrator.  They will then pursue enforcement action if the verbal discussion is unsuccessful.
6.  Barnes Park Update
	Eileen Wallick gave an update on Barnes Park.
7.  Firewood Bids
	Chairman Blackmore opened the bid from Ricky and Tommy Staff of Redneck Wood.  The bid was for $2.70 per bundle.  The other bids were Rusty Barnes at $2.75 per bundle and Kip E. Drake at $1.00 per bundle. Ms. Wallick has met with the low bidder for the firewood for Barnes Park.  She said that his firewood bundles did not meet specifications. Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to accept the bid from Rusty Barnes at $2.75 per bundle based on his past performance.  Motion Carried – Unanimous.
8.  Forestry Update
	The second Moeke Lumber Mill has closed.  The first Moeke Mill and Meeders Lumber Mill had previously closed.  Mr. Meriwether indicated it represents a loss of about 40 to 50 jobs.  There may be another company looking to purchase one of the Moeke Mills. Mr. Meriwether indicated there will be another caterpillar outbreak this summer.  Some landowners will be spraying.  Mr. Meriwether advises against it.  Mr. Meriwether has bid out a 12 acre cut on the Hawk Lake.  The cut will take place this summer.  About 10,000 seedlings will be replanted there. Mr. Meriwether distributed a letter from the State agreeing to release the Reverter Clause on 22 of the County’s parcels.  The Reverter Clause required that if the County ever used it for anything but forestry purposes it would revert back to the State.  The release means that the County will not have to be concerned about that on the 22 parcels. Mr. Meriwether is assisting John Strehl with the cutting of the trees in the airspace right of way for the airport.
9.  Parks Advisory Update
	Mr. Meriwether reviewed where he is at with the Parks and Recreation Plan which is now being renamed the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Plan. Mr. Meriwether reviewed a parks and recreation funding mechanism he is trying to put together.  Mr. Meriwether is calling it a Charter Fund.  Mr. Meriwether indicated the plan will meet the requirements of the DNRE for a Parks and Recreation Plan but will also address other needs of the County.
10.  Parks Liability Review
	The Committee reviewed a letter from the County insurance carrier regarding the County parks and changes that could be made to reduce the County’s liability.  The letter will be addressed at the next meeting as well. The Elk Rapids Pavilion will be taped off with yellow “CAUTION” tape until further review.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.