Antrim Creek Natural Area

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Gale Murphy

Mary Kay McDuffie

Gary Strange

Carl Veenstra

July 28, 2003

Minutes

Banks Township Hall

ACNA Commission

Members Present:

 Robert McLeod, Gale Murphy, Gary Strange and Carl Veenstra

Members Absent:

Mary Kay McDuffie

Staff Present:

Pete Garwood, Coordinator/Planner

Others Present:

Marion Williams, Janet Person (ACD), Elizabeth Hoffmann, Jacob Veenstra

1.         Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.

2.         Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gale Murphy, seconded by Carl Veenstra, to approve the minutes of the June 30, 2003, meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.

3.         ACNA Website

In Mary Kay McDuffie’s absence, Carl Veenstra gave the update for the website.  The website is very close to being finished.  Mr. Garwood will have Howard Yamaguchi contact Deb Hughes from the Ellsworth High School regarding the contents of the website.  The Commission would like to see a website demonstration before it goes online.

4.         Grants Update

Mr. Garwood indicated the Tribal Grant decision would be made this week according to Mary Kelly the Tribal contact.  Janet Person, Executive Director for the Antrim Conservation District indicated we would need to spend the Nor Cross Grant by November or December.  If the Tribal Grant comes through, the subcommittee will need to meet to get rolling on the grant. 

If the Tribal Grant does not come through, the Nor Cross Grant will be used to focus on an educational interpretive display at the north entrance of the park.  In which case, the subcommittee would need to meet to discuss the information that should be included on the display boards.

5.         Mapping Threatened Species

Mr. Garwood was directed to follow up on the offer from the AuSable Institute on the plant inventory.

6.         Old Schoolhouse Update

Mr. Garwood was directed to find out from the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy if they have ever heard from the woman who owns the schoolhouse.  Mr. Garwood informed the Commission the Conservancy has not heard back from the woman who owns the schoolhouse.

Mr. Strange indicated he would be happy to engage in negotiations with the schoolhouse owner.

7.         Beach Grooming

Mr. Strange inquired about the possibility of (due to the low lake level) grooming the grass and other growth along the beach.  Ms. Person said she would have her staff get the DEQ over to the beach to evaluate the possibility.

8.         Beach Barriers

Mr. Garwood presented a site plan that illustrated how the wooden barriers at the north beach access were to be moved.  The Coordinator/Planner office was directed to work with Traver Wood from Site Planning Inc., to get the identified barriers moved to the desired position (so a vehicle pulling a boat trailer can more easily back in to the water and launch their boat).

9.         Bridge

The Commission discussed the erosion taking place at the approaches to the boardwalks and bridges.  Mr. Garwood informed the Commission that Traver Wood, indicated last week that he was going to have a discussion with Robert T. Cole, the contractor on the project, to see if there was anything he could do to stop the approaches to the boardwalks and bridges from eroding.

10.       Posts & Signs

Discussion took place regarding whether or not we should continue to go through Site Planning, Inc. for our sign needs.  Mr. Garwood indicated he would contact the sign maker directly next time.

Carl Veenstra inquired if there are extra trail marker posts available.  The Commission agreed we should have extra trail marker posts available, as we currently have one that needs to be replaced due to vandalism.  Mr. Garwood will check on post supply.

11.       Wildlife Habitat

Mr. Veenstra indicated he has not located a source of appropriate grass and other plant seed for wildlife enhancement planting.  A pasture mix (clover, etc.) was indicated as a good attracter for wildlife.

Ms. Person indicated the Antrim Conservation District may have some seed mix that could be used.

Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Gale Murphy to approve the planting of a wildlife feed plot on the south end of the natural area.  Motion carried – unanimous.

12.       Communications

§         Mr. Garwood distributed the results of a goal setting meeting held by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

§         Letter from Commission member Mary Kay McDuffie regarding a park user who had a dog on a leash.  The woman’s’ dog was seriously hurt by a large dog that was not on a leash.

The issue was tabled until next month.  Pete Garwood and Bob McLeod will talk to the Prosecutor about what resource is available in this case.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Next meeting of the ACNA Commission will be on

September 29 at 7:00 p.m.,

Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth