Antrim Creek Natural Area

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Gale Murphy

Mary Kay McDuffie

Gary Strange

Carl Veenstra

 

May 5, 2003

Minutes

Banks Township Hall

 

Members Present:

  

 

Robert McLeod, Gale Murphy, Mary Kay McDuffie

Members Absent:

  

Carl Veenstra, Gary Strange

Staff Present:

  

Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner

Others Present:

  
Jack and Barbara White, Traver Wood, Ed McDuffie, Jacob Veenstra, Betty Hoffman, Janet Person

1.         Call to Order

 

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

2.         Approval of Minutes

 

Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gale Murphy, to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2003, meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.

3.         Tribal Grant

 

Mr. Garwood, Coordinator/Planner informed the Commission we were unsuccessful in securing a tribal grant for the informational and educational displays and arbor for the Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA).  Mr. Garwood asked if the Commission would like to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the grant application be resubmitted.

 

Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gale Murphy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners re-submit the grant application to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Ms. McDuffie inquired about the possibility of incorporating the old schoolhouse in the trails and information display program.  Mr. Garwood will contact the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) and ask if they will contact the woman who owns the schoolhouse and see if she has changed her mind about selling the building.

4.         Meeting Schedule

 

Commission decided to stay with the previous date and time selected:  Last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

5.         Signs

 

Discussion took place regarding the vandalism that has occurred to the current signs.  The idea of removing the signs and the future information arbor display seasonally was discussed.

 

Mr. Garwood and Traver Wood, Site Planning, Inc. were directed to research alternative materials to the pressure treated wolmanized wood that could be used for the information arbor as well as future signs.

 

Ms. Janet Person, Executive Director for the Conservation District indicated that logs similar to those used to construct the Antrim Conservation District Office Building could be used for the information arbor as well as other structures.

 

Mr. Wood presented drawings and specifications for additional sign boards at the natural area.

 

The Commission discussed whether to purchase the additional signs needed as well as replace some of the current signs due to the recent vandalism to some of the signs at the ACNA. Action delayed until we can get better prices on sign additions and the replacement of others.

6.         ACNA Spring Report

 

The Commission reviewed the report submitted by the Eileen Wallick, Barnes Park Manager regarding the current condition of the ACNA infrastructure.

 

The Commission directed Ms. Person, to arrange to have prison crews clean up the fallen trees and branches on the ACNA trails.

 

Mr. Garwood indicated that Ms. Wallick has been instructed to weed whip around the signs periodically during the summer.

7.         ACNA Website

 

An instructor, Deb Hughes and two students from Ellsworth School presented the information and graphics they have developed (in draft form) for the ACNA website.  The students used DreamWeaver software to develop the website.

 

Motion by Gale Murphy, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to approve the layout and color scheme of the draft website presented by the Ellsworth students and to authorize Mary Kay McDuffie and Howard Yamaguchi to work with Ms. Hughes and the students to complete the website.  Motion carried – unanimous.

8.         Wildlife Habitat Program

 

The Committee requested that a meeting be held on the Wildlife Habitat Program with the presence of Carl Veenstra, a representative from the Antrim Conservation District, a representative of the MSUE 4-H program and Howard Yamaguchi to plan the steps to make the program a reality.

9.         Endangered Species Act Requirements

 

The Chairman reviewed the letter sent by Peg Comfort indicating the County is obligated to submit an ecological inventory of the ACNA to the State of Michigan.  Ms. Comfort’s letter also indicated the County is obligated to implement a Pitcher’s Thistle Recovery Plan.

 

Mr. McLeod also reviewed the research and report completed by Howard Yamaguchi, Associate Planner on the issue.  Mr. Yamaguchi had telephone discussions with Ms. Lori Sargent, DNR Endangered Species Specialist.  Ms. Sargent indicated the County is not obligated to submit the ecological inventory nor is the County obligated to implement a Pitcher’s Thistle Recovery Plan.  However, a submittal of the ecological inventory would be most welcome by the State.

 

Mr. Yamaguchi has already sent a copy of the ecological study to Ms. Sargent.  Mr. Wood indicated that prior to the County owning the property (when Mr. Jones owned it) he had also completed and sent an ecological study to the State.

 

Question:  Does this Commission want to get involved in Pitcher’s Thistle Recovery Plan?

 

Mr. Garwood will contact Mr. Todd Vigland, from the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) and see if he is willing to map the threatened plant species and to also invite him to the next meeting.

10.       New Business

 

·            Boulders

Mr. Garwood said that in a conversation with Carl Veenstra, he learned that individuals are moving the small boulders and driving four wheelers and trucks on the beach.

 

Mr. Garwood was directed to contact Drenth Brothers and the Road Commission to inquire about the availability of boulders at least 3 feet in diameter and at what price.

 

The Commission authorized the Chairman to work with the Coordinator/Planner Office to work on the purchase and placement of boulders.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.