Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Joseph Allen

Minutes

June 1, 2006

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Joe Allen, Bob McLeod and Mike Crawford

Members absent:

None

Staff present:

Joe Meyers and Eileen Wallick

Others present:

Jack White, Mark Randolph, Russ Blasdell, Laura Sexton, Pete Garwood, Stan Moore and Christy Roman

1.         Meeting called to order at 9:02 a.m.

2.          Bid Opening – Walking Trail

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen to recommend the Department of Natural Resources approve SRW Contracting as the first choice for the project and MDC as the second choice.  Motion carried – unanimous.

3.         Public Comment

None.

3.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph, Executive Director of GRNA, gave an update on events regarding GRNA.

Mr. Randolph indicated that GRNA has hosted 16 classes thus far and educated 363 Antrim County students.

Mr. Randolph presented his budget (attached) and noted that Grass River would not be operational if the County did not give its yearly operational appropriation and thanked them for that.

Mr. Randolph indicated that he went to the Finance Committee to see if the county would be interested in purchasing the “Skinner” property through money set aside for GRNA for grant match.  Mr. Randolph indicated that this would benefit GRNA greatly.

Mr. Randolph informed the Committee of a trails committee that is looking to start up in the County to attempt to connect a trail to Williamsburg, Alden, Bellaire, Rapid City and Kalkaska.

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Finance Committee find a way to finance the “Skinner” Property.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.         High-speed Internet

Steve Groll entered the meeting and informed the Committee that Charter Communications cannot provide broadband services for Barnes Park.  Mr. Groll inquired over what the Committee would like his next step to be. 

Discussion ensued over the options for internet.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Finance Committee set aside $500 out of the Barnes Park budget and set aside an additional $1000 for the installation of a tower for wireless internet at Barnes Park.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Eileen Wallick, Mike Crawford and Steve Groll will be the contact for this project.

5.         Barnes Park Update

Eileen Wallick, Barnes Park Manager, updated the Committee on events at Barnes Park.

Ms. Wallick indicated that the Petoskey Stone Festival was a success and hoped that it could continue next year. 

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to send a letter of thanks to Linda Gallagher and have the Finance Committee approve mileage for the several trips made for the festival.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

Ms. Wallick indicated that the basketball court has been completed and the 10 new sites are done. 

Ms. Wallick noted that she would like permission to purchase a chain saw and a pole saw.  The chain saw is a 1972 chain saw and the pole saw costs $50.00 a day to rent.

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Bob McLeod, to authorize the Park Manager to purchase a chain saw for $271.90 and a pole saw for $479.96.  Motion carried – unanimous.  

Ms. Wallick indicated that the 1986 truck that her crew has been using has holes in the floorboards and the frame was welded last year.  Ms. Wallick further indicated that the trailer they tow their mowers with is an old snowmobile trailer with no lights and no ramp so her crew has to lift their mowers on and off the trailer.  Christy Roman was directed to look into the cost of used 1/2 ton trucks for the Monday Finance Committee meeting.

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Finance Committee look into a way to fund a used ½-ton truck for Barnes Park.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen to recommend the Finance Committee authorize the Parks Manager to purchase a trailer for towing equipment to and from the other parks for under $1000.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Mr. Crawford indicated he had to kick some people out after 11:00 pm due to the violation of quiet hours.  Mr. Crawford indicated that at the state parks, all non-campers must be out at 10:00 pm. 

Discussion ensued over kicking people out at a certain time.  This matter was reverted to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Ms. Wallick indicated that there have been times where a camper has been too drunk, the police were called, and the employees were told that the camper was too drunk to leave.  Mr. Crawford sent this matter to the Health, Animal Control and Public Safety Committee.

Ms. Wallick noted that multiple residents have complemented her on the electrification of the campsites.

6.         Barnes Park Grant Update

The Committee directed Mr. Meyers to look into the penalty for the delay of construction and inform the builder that the project must be complete by June 23, 2006. 

7.        Parks and Recreation Update

Mr. Moore noted that people inquire about the Parks and Recreation Commission as if they are created by statute.  This confuses people and the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to change their name to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Bob McLeod to change the Parks and Recreation Commission to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.  Motion carried – unanimous.

8.        Northern Michigan Hunters Education

Pete Garwood explained to the Committee that they had been contacted to sponsor a grant, for Northern Michigan Hunters Education, for a simulator to help give hunters safety courses.  Because the entity is not a governmental body, they need one to sponsor them.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Board of Commissioners pass the letter of support to the tribal grant.  Motion carried – unanimous.

9.         Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA) Request

Mr. Meyers informed the Committee of a MSU graduate student looking to do a study of the formation and evolution of the dunes at ACNA (email attached). 

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen to allow MSU to do a study of the formation and evolution of the dune system.  Motion carried – unanimous.

10.       Public/Member Comment

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to have the next meeting at Antrim Creek Natural Area (weather permitting) to check out the signs.  Motion carried – unanimous.