Antrim County
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

October 19, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:

 

Stan Moore, Linda Gallagher, Al Pecar, Russ Blasdell, Mike Crawford, Jerry Dobrzelewski, Mark Stone, and Don Schuiteman

Members Absent:

Mike Meriwether

Staff Present:

Joe Meyers and Eileen Wallick

Others:

Norton Bretz, Christy Roman, Kevin Giar, Jim Barber, Ann McClelland, Stan Kimmel, Tom Sheneman, Paul Trumble, Stan Bean, Bruce Laidlaw, John Richter, Janet Person, Kent Reynolds, Jim Datsko, and Deb Kresnah

I.          Call to Order

 

Stan Moore called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon.

II.        Public Comment

 

Stan Bean spoke on the trail that he is trying to start in Helena, Forest Home, Central Lake, and Torch Lake Townships. 

 

John Richter spoke on the Friends of the Jordan River Valley meeting on October 19, 2006 and encouraged everyone to attend.

III.       Approval of the September 21, 2006 Minutes

 

Motion by Jerry Dobrzelewski, supported by Mike Crawford, to approve the September 21, 2006 minutes.  Motion carried – unanimous.

IV.       Trails Forum

 

Tom Sheneman spoke on the Kalkaska Area Regional Trails and the MDOT funding process.  Tom noted that the trails are for non-motorized vehicles. 

 

Norton Bretz indicated that an Antrim County Trails Map was created a few years before and was wondering if anyone has access to this map.

 

Kevin Giar inquired about usage fees on trails.

 

Kent Reynolds, Elk Rapids Rotary, indicated that he is trying to get a trails group going from Elk Rapids to Acme to hook up with the Traverse Area Regional Trails.

 

Jim Datsko spoke on the positive tourism impacts that a larger regional trail system.

 

Stan Bean spoke on his plan to widen the shoulder of the road for their proposed bike path from Alden to Eastport.

 

Norton Bretz indicated that municipalities should inform bike tourists of the best routes for safety throughout the area.

 

Stan Moore informed the crowd of what the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board could do to help trails throughout the County.  Stan indicated that the Board could amend the Parks and Recreation Plan to include a more in-depth look at trails. 


 

Kevin Giar spoke on snowmobile trails throughout the county.  Kevin indicated that a counter was put on one of their trails and received 4800 counts in a 24-hour period.  Kevin also noted that a law was passed indicating that they had 1 year to hook a trail up from the east side of the county to Bellaire.

 

Discussion ensued over multi-purpose trails for bikers in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. 

 

Mark Stone offered to create a map of the trails in Antrim County if the different groups provided the necessary information.

 

Discussion ensued over creating a sub-committee of all of the trail groups throughout the county.

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Mark Stone to create a sub-committee of all the trails special interest groups throughout the county.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Mike Crawford indicated that we could get the boy scouts involved to help create trails.

 

Stan Kimble questioned why the press was not present.

 

V.        Member Comment

 

Mark Stone indicated that he attended a meeting with the Antrim County Chamber Alliance and discussed the proposed paddle race for next year.  Mark indicated that though it is a chamber function the Board could help with the coordination of the festival.  Mark further indicated that the chamber alliance would be having a meeting on November 8th.

 

The Committee appointed Mike Crawford, Mark Stone, Stan Moore, and Eileen Wallick to sit on the Trails Sub-Committee.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

The next meeting will be

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

in the Board of Commissioners Room.