Parks Committee

Mike Crawford

Gene Dawson, Chairman

Joseph Allen

 

Minutes

July 5, 2007

9:00 a.m.

 

Members present:

 

Gene Dawson, Mike Crawford, and Joe Allen

Members absent:

 

None.

Staff present:

 

Joe Meyers, Laura Sexton, Eileen Wallick, Peggy Kole and Pete Garwood

Others present:

 

Mark Randolph, Todd Vigland and Russ Blasdell

 

 

 

1.         Meeting called to order at 9:05 a.m.

2.         Public Comment

 

None.

3.         Public Hearing (Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant)

 

 

Joe Meyers explained the grant and why we are trying to acquire the Sevald property.

 

Laura Sexton inquired about the budget and who was paying the different money. 

 

Joe Allen inquired about the stewardship that would be created for the property. 

 

Joe Meyers and Pete Garwood indicated that we will be setting aside $50,000 for a stewardship to create trails and maintain the property with the County donating $25,000 and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to donate the additional $25,000 to create this fund. 

 

Gene Dawson spoke on how this project was extremely important to the County especially with the rising population. 

 

Russ Blasdell spoke on how the Bellaire Conservation Club is endorsing the acquisition.

 

Gene Dawson additionally indicated that the proposed trail system would connect to Grass River Natural Area and Cedar River Natural Area. 

 

Mark spoke on the MNRTF process.

 

The public hearing closed at 9:20.

 

4.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA)

 

Mark Randolph presented his budget for GRNA.  Discussion ensued over installing a metal roof as well, and the changes in the way the budget was presented. 

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Mike Crawford, to approve the GRNA budget request as presented for submission to the Finance Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Mark also updated the Committee on events regarding Grass River Natural Area.

 

Mark indicated that he was having some issues with an easement to the Nold Property because we currently have an easement to the property and one of the property owners is posting no trespassing signs on it.

 

Discussion ensued over the various steps that could be taken. 

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Joe Allen, to request the Board of Commissioners to request Legal Counsel to look into the easement on the Nold Property and notify the property owners adjacent to it that they are not complying with it and to remove the no trespassing signs off the property.  After the sign is removed, Mark Randolph is to post the easement as a public easement.  Motion carried – unanimous.   

 

5.         Barnes Park and Elk Rapids Day Park Budget

 

Eileen Wallick presented her budget for Barnes Park and Elk Rapids Day Park.

 

Discussion ensued over the office supplies, contractual services, and vehicle maintenance line items.

 

Discussion ensued over how Eileen should bid out the old truck at the park and her capital outlay. 

 

Discussion ensued over the John Deere Gator.  Eileen indicated that she would like to take it out of the Antrim Creek Natural Area budget because it would be used there a lot.  

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Joe Allen, to approve the Barnes Park and Elk Rapids Day Park budget request as amended for submission to the Finance Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

6.         Other Parks Budgets

 

Joe Meyers presented all the other parks budgets that the Committee recommends approval.

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Mike Crawford, to approve the Antrim Creek Natural Area budget request as amended with the capital outlay for submission to the Finance Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Mike Crawford, to approve the Park Fundraiser Fund, Parks - Notewares and Mohrmann, and Public Access Book Fund as presented for submission to the Finance Committee. Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Joe Allen, to approve the Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards budget request for submission to the Finance Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Mike Crawford, to approve the Petoskey Stone Festival budget request as amended for submission to the Finance Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

7.         Barnes Park Update

 

Eileen updated the Committee on events at Barnes Park.

 

Discussion ensued over the pavilion at Elk Rapids Day Park. 

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Mike Crawford to recommend the Board of Commissioners remove and replace the Elk Rapids Day Park Pavilion as budgeted.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Discussion ensued over picnic tables at the Wetzel Lake Park. 

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Finance Committee to purchase six picnic tables for Wetzel Lake with the cost not to exceed $3,000.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Eileen indicated that they had a problem with rowdy campers.  Mike Crawford indicated that he would speak with the Sheriff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.         Various Matters

 

Joe informed the Committee of a letter regarding the spook trail.

9.         Members/Public Comment

 

None.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.