Parks Committee
Robert McLeod			Mike Crawford, Chairman	Joseph Allen
Minutes
August 3, 2006
9:00 a.m.
Members present:		Bob McLeod, Joe Allen and Mike Crawford
Members absent:		None.
Staff present:		Joe Meyers and Eileen Wallick
Others present:		Stan Moore, Mark Randolph, Christy Roman, Russ Blasdell, Roger Anger, Mike Meriwether and Jack White
1.         Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2.         Barnes Park Update
	Eileen Wallick, Parks Manager, updated the Committee regarding the activities at Barnes Park . Ms Wallick informed the Committee of the 1986 truck that ran into a tree and now she is leasing a truck for $300 a month.  Bob McLeod inquired why the truck was running with no one in it.  Ms. Wallick indicated that they were picking up the trash and that was common procedure. Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to require all Barnes Park employees to shut down vehicles when they are not occupied.  Motion carried – unanimous. Discussion ensued over the log cabin at Barnes Park.  Ms. Wallick noted that the building is not complete.  Mike Crawford directed Ms. Wallick to inform Mr. Garwood of all of the problems so he could contact the contractor.  Further discussion ensued over the leasing of the truck until the end of the season versus purchasing one now.  Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to continue leasing the truck at $300 per month and look into the feasibility of purchasing one in the 2007 budget capital outlay.  Motion carried – unanimous.
3.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA)
	Mark Randolph, Director of the GRNA, gave the Committee an update on activities at the GRNA . Mr. Randolph thanked the Board of Commissioners for the letter of intent to lease the property for the GRNA building but the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) does not allow money to be spent on property that the entity has no control over.  This would be a problem because Antrim County will be asking for a grant on behalf of the County.  Mr. Randolph is looking for a future long-term management agreement for the building.  Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Bob McLeod, to rescind the letter of intent to lease the property at GRNA and to redraft a letter of intent to support a long-term management agreement.  Motion carried – unanimous.
4.         Wetzel Lake
	Joe Meyers updated the Committee on Wetzel Lake. Mr. Meyers informed the Committee that the State has completed a lease that is being reviewed by the DNR and the Coordinator/Planner office.  Mr. Meyers further noted that he has created a phasing plan to show the DNR what might happen at the site.  Roger Anger, Mancelona Township, informed the Committee of the raft at Wetzel Lake and how it is being used.  Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to immediately pull out the raft at Wetzel Lake to be placed in storage indefinitely.  Motion carried – unanimous.     Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to adopt the Wetzel Lake Phasing Plan.  Motion carried – unanimous. The Committee appointed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to look into putting a fishing dock at Wetzel Lake.
5.         Barnes Park Grant Update
	Mike Meriwether, County Forester, informed the Committee of the status of the signage for the Barnes Park Trail.  Mr. Crawford indicated that the next meeting will be at the Antrim Creek Natural Area along with the Wetzel Lake Planning Sub-Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.  We will have the Antrim County Transportation trolley on hand to move the mass number of people.
6.         Communications
	Mr. Randolph presented a resolution that the Board of Commissioners needs to pass to complete a grant from the MNRTF . Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Board of Commissioners pass the resolution for the MNRTF grant.  Motion carried – unanimous.
7.         Members/Public Comment
	Mr. Meriwether informed the Committee of fishing structures that are being placed in Lake Bellaire.
Meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.