Antrim Creek Natural Area

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Marion Williams

Mary Kay McDuffie

Gary Strange

Carl Veenstra

 

May 2, 2005

Minutes

 

 

ACNA Commission Members Present:

 

Robert McLeod, Carl Veenstra, Marion Williams, and Mary Kay McDuffie

Members Absent:

 

Gary Strange

Staff Present:

 

Pete Garwood

Others Present:

 

Betty Hoffman

1.         Call to Order

 

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.

2.         Public Comment

 

None.

3.         New Member

 

The Commission welcomed Marion Williams as the new member of the ACNA Commission.

4.         Approval of Minutes

 

Robert McLeod informed the group that the March 7, 2005 minutes have already been accepted/reviewed by the Board.  However, if there were mistakes identified by the committee, the Board of Commissioners would likely not have a problem making the corrections.

5.         Interpretive Display Update

 

Mary Kay McDuffie has contacted Deb Hughes and found out she is interested in helping with the interpretive display.  Deb Hughes has also suggested we check with Raven Hill Discovery Center.

6.         Grants Update

 

Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, informed the Committee that two grant applications have been submitted for the ACNA: 1. Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and 2. the Coastal Management Program.  We will know whether or not they are successful between August and December.

 

The Committee agreed on the following meeting dates for the rest of the year:  July 11, 2005, and September 7, 2005

7.         Interpretive Display

 

Mr. Garwood informed the Committee that the Native American place name map survived the winter very well.  However, it will be removed for the winter months in the future.

8.         Out Johns

 

Out johns are scheduled to be in place by May 13, 2005 for the season.

9.         South Entrance

 

Mr. McLeod stated the south entrance road is getting quite rough with pot holes.  Mr. Garwood is checking with area excavating contractors for quotes on repairing and maintaining the park entrance.

10.       Branch Trimming

 

Mr. Garwood will contact Eileen Wallick, Barnes Park Manager and request that she and her crew trim some of the branches along the South entrance.

11.       Signage

 

*   No Parking Sign

Mr. Garwood will check with Signs, Letters and Graphics to see when the “No Parking” sign, for the north entrance turn around, will be installed.

 

*   No Hunting signs

Mr. McLeod suggested permanent signs should be erected, which warn park goers that hunting is allowed in the park.  The other Commission members agreed.  The signs would read, “Hunting is Permitted, Visitors Use Caution”.

12.       Communication

 

Mr. Garwood informed the Commission that he had a discussion with Dave Mahan from the Au Sable Institute. A grant application had been submitted by the Antrim Conservation District to the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat and Network Fund to potentially fund a study by the students from the institute.  The rules of the grant program do not allow a governmental agency to sponsor the application.  However, Mr. Mahan had previously had a negative experience applying for funds from the same grant program, and felt it was not worth another try.

 

*   School House

Mr. Garwood will check to see if taxes are paid.

 

Marion Williams informed the Commission of the possibility of a 260 plus campground going in on fifty (50) acres to the south of the ACNA.  Ms. Williams will keep the Commission abreast of any news on the issue.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

 

The next Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission

meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2005.