Antrim County
Parks and Recreation Commission

 

February 16, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:

 

Stan Moore, Don Schuiteman, Jerry Dobrzelewski, Russ Blasdell, Mark Stone, Linda Gallagher and Mike Meriwether

Members Absent:

Al Pecar and Mike Crawford

Staff Present:

Valerie Craft and Eileen Wallick

Others:

None

I.          Call to Order

 

Stan Moore called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.

II.        Public Comment

 

None.

III.       Approval of the January 19, 2006 Minutes

 

Motion by Don Schuiteman, supported by Jerry Dobrzelewski, to approve the January 19, 2006 minutes.  Motion carried – unanimous.

IV.       Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Update

 

Mark Randolph, Director for Grass River Natural Area, joined the meeting.  Mr. Randolph presented the proposed MNRTF grant application to the Parks and Recreation Commission asking for their support.  Mr. Randolph informed the Commission that the grant monies will be used for the acquisition of 154.83 acres in Forest Home Township, including 0.9 miles of shoreline on Lake Bellaire, known as the North Shore Hunt Club.  Mr. Randolph also discussed the potential of adding three (3) additional property acquisitions to the grant.

 

Motion by Mark Stone, supported by Linda Gallagher, for the Parks and Recreation Commission to endorse the proposed MNRTF grant application by Grass River Natural Area for the acquisition of the North Shore Hunt Club and the three (3) additional properties.  Motion carried - unanimous.

 

V.         Website Update

 

Mr. Moore informed the Commission that the Board of Commissioners approved the private recreation sites to be included on the website.  Mr. Moore and Valerie Craft indicated that the Parks and Recreation site entrance page is now complete for public sites.

 

VI.       Elk Rapids Day Park

 

No update

.

VII.      Boat Launch on Lake Michigan

 

Mr. Moore asked what direction the Commission should go with the boat launch.  Mr. Moore proposed having a couple of public forums to get input regarding a boat launch on Lake Michigan.  Linda Gallagher mentioned that people may get the wrong idea with a forum.  The consensus was not to have a public forum.

 

Discussion ensued regarding a boat launch at Barnes Park.  Mr. Moore was referred to Robin Schmidt, DEQ in Cadillac, who handles critical dunes areas.  Ms. Schmidt confirmed that one site at Barnes Park is not considered critical dunes.  Ms. Schmidt has indicated that she will send a letter regarding her conclusion.  Some members were in opposition of having a boat launch at Barnes Park.

 

Mike Meriwether suggested putting some recommendations together for the Parks Committee.  Mark Stone suggested an independent group, separate from the Parks and Recreation Commission, could push the launch site.  Some members think that the County should purchase some property for a boat launch. 

 

The Commission also discussed the possibilities of having Eden Shores as a boat launch. 

 

The Commission agreed to have Mr. Moore write up a finding a fact report for the Parks and Recreation Commission to review at their next meeting and then present to the Parks Committee to present to the Board of Commissioners. 

VIII.    Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce Brochure

 

Mark Stone presented a sample advertisement for the Commission to review.  Mr. Stone informed the Commission that a picture of the Mackinaw State Forest and a picture of the Chain of Lakes are needed to finish the advertisement.  Ms. Gallagher will email Mr. Stone a picture of the Mackinaw State Forest.  Mr. Moore will look through his collection of slides for a picture of the Chain of Lakes.

IX.       Petoskey Stone Festival Update

 

Ms. Gallagher updated the Commission on the upcoming Petoskey Stone Festival scheduled for May 27, 2006.

 

A copy of a media release (attached), that Ms. Gallagher wrote announcing the Petoskey Stone Festival, was distributed to the Commission for their review.  Ms. Gallagher informed the Commission that the release will be mailed to the press on Tuesday.

 

Ms. Gallagher filled the Commission in on the types of activities she has planned for the Petoskey Stone Festival.  Ms. Gallagher noted that she is still waiting to hear from some of the vendors.

 

Ms. Gallagher stated that she will need some funding for the festival and inquired where the money will come from.  Mr. Moore suggested that Ms. Gallagher put together an itemized budget and present it to the Parks Committee at their next meeting for their approval.

X.        Various Matters

 

Barnes Park Trails

Mike Meriwether updated the Commission on the Barnes Park Trails that will be put in this summer.  Mr. Meriwether stated that originally, the Parks Committee approved for an afton stone trail to be put in.  Mr. Meriwether has had second thoughts about the afton stone trail and would like to put in a boardwalk trail in the wetlands.

 

Motion by Mark Stone, seconded by Jerry Dobrzlewski, to recommend to the Parks Committee to change the plans of an afton stone trail to a wetlands boardwalk trail.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

Sevald Property

Mr. Meriwether updated the Commission on the Sevald property.  Forest Home Township, the Village of Bellaire and Antrim County did not receive the grant that was applied for to purchase the Sevald Property.  Mr. Meriwether would like the County to purchase the 160 acres of land the County is interested in for price of $354,000 ($2,200/acre). 

 

Mr. Meriwether would like to propose to the County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee, two possible options the County could use to pay for this property.

1.     The County enter into an agreement with Fahl Forest Products - Fahl Forest Products is willing to front the County $354,000 for the timber rights.

2.     Ask the County for $354,000 and have the County market the timber themselves.

 

Motion by Don Schuiteman, supported by Mark Stone, for the Parks and Recreation Commission to support the proposal Mike Meriwether will present to the County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

The next meeting will be

Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.