Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

John Conway

Minutes

February 6, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford, Bob McLeod , and Bernie Blackmore

Members absent:

None

Others present:

Jack White, Eileen Wallick, Janet Person, Howard Yamaguchi, Russ Blasdell, Mark Randolph, Dale Hanson, and Charlie Koop

1.         Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mike Crawford

2.         Stan Moore Reappointment

Howard informed the Committee that Stan Moore, MSU Extension director for Antrim County, was up for reappointment this year on the Parks & Recreation Commission, representing MSUE.  The Committee agreed that they welcomed the application.  His letter of interest will be processed by the County Administration Committee that afternoon.

3.         Park Manager Report

Eileen Wallick distributed and discussed her written report.  Eileen then informed the Committee that former employee Alicia Elliott, who was blinded as a result of injuries suffered in a lightning strike last summer at Barnes Park, was apparently cured of the affliction at a religious conference.  She is currently undergoing a battery of tests to ascertain the cure.  Eileen then mentioned that she had received a battery of intrusive personal questions regarding a former employee who had applied for a position at Meadow Brook.  She refereed the questions to the Coordinator/Planner Office.

4.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph and Dale Hanson previewed the GRNA annual report to the Committee, explaining its contents.  The report will be distributed to the Board of Commissioners next week.  Mark expressed concern about rising health insurance costs that have been a major cause of this year’s deficit.  Another cause of higher operating costs is hiring of new staff.  GRNA will take steps to reduce or eliminate this deficit.   Mark will address the proposed new building at the next meeting.  We may possibly set up a working group of equivalent officers of GRNA and County, to start discussions about the new building (lease/buy, etc.).

Charlie Koop next presented the new contract between the County and GRNA.  It updates the existing contract to reflect current arrangements.  Took out the word "consultant," as it is really a management agreement.  He added a statement that GRNA is responsible for all staff, salaries, benefits, etc.  He has included a fixed management fee.  County responsibilities to GRNA are spelled out more clearly.  There is language on MERS participation and on new building funding.  He will add anti-discrimination policy language.  The final version will be ready at the Board of Commissioners meeting this month.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that they approve the new proposed management contract between the County and Grass River Natural Area, Inc.  Unanimous.

5.         Additional Funds Requested for Barnes Park Water Well Drilling

Howard informed the committee that the contractor (Robert T. Cole, Inc.) submitted the final invoice for the Barnes Park bathhouse.  The invoice cannot be paid until the Finance Committee allocates an additional $5,967.02 to pay for a second water well shaft.   Discussion ensued on the relatively high cost, difficult hydrogeological conditions and the need to use a driller familiar with the site.  Bob McLeod asked why the funds were not requested earlier.  Howard responded that the general contractor had problems extracting an invoice from the driller.  Bob McLeod noted that the Finance Committee would be better inclined to fund the request if additional funds were transferred from the Parks & Rec Commission budget and possibly the Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA) budget.  Howard noted that the $12,500 consultant budget for Wetzel Lake may not all be required for the balance of 2003.  Bob McLeod also noted that up to $500 could probably be diverted from ACNA.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Finance Committee and the Board of Commissioners to reallocate $2,500 from the 2003 Parks & Recreation Commission budget (Wetzel Lake consultancy line item), and $500 from the 2003 Antrim Creek Natural Area budget, for a total of $3,000, towards the total additional cost of $5,967.02 for the second water well shaft.  Unanimous.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Finance Committee and the Board of Commissioners to allocate to the Barnes Park CMI Fund (235) an additional $2,967.02 from the General Fund to be used toward paying the total cost of a second well shaft at the Barnes Park bathhouse  Unanimous.

6.         Digital Mapping Update

Howard informed the Committee that a GIS sub-committee comprising 911 Board members, Equalization staff, Road Commission staff, and Sheriff’s Department 911 staff has been formed, and will meet on February 10 to discuss GIS work items that will lead to a unified data system.  This system will benefit 911 dispatching, the County road map, county master plan, and the County web site, including the Parks and Recreation database.

7.         Barnes Park Update Grant

Janet Person explained to the committee that we were not awarded this grant (electrification of the campsites, a visitor center/office, and walkway).  She will work with the Coordinator/Planner Office to re-submit the application this year, emphasizing areas where we did not score high (inland lakes connections) and increasing cash match (Conservation District employee salaries).  She also suggested that the walkway cost could be reduced, but Eileen noted that the current price may be low for an engineered, paved path from the park to the main road.  Bob McLeod noted that the path is necessary for pedestrian safety in Barnes Park.  Janet noted that another public hearing will be required.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to authorize the Board of Commissioners to hold a public hearing and re-submit Barnes Park Update grant at their March meeting.  Unanimous.

8.         De-Icer Safety Publication

Janet Person presented a draft de-icer informational publication for review and comment and eventual publication by the County.  Discussion ensued and some edits were made. Mike Crawford suggested that this be distributed to local bait shops and other areas frequented by dock, boat, and other lake users.  Discussion ensued on state regulation (or lack thereof) of bubblers.  Bob McLeod suggested that the edited publication should be reviewed by Charlie Koop and by the Health, Animal Control, and Public Safety Committee.

Jack White suggested that the Board of Commissioners pass a resolution to DNR concerning bubbler (de-icer) safety.   Janet Person and Mike Crawford suggested that the resolution address both DEQ and DNR, and ask other counties for support.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to draft a resolution concerning de-icers to DNR and DEQ, and circulate among all counties and the MAC for support.  Unanimous.

Russ Blasdell noted that he was attending a regional meeting of the MUCC this Sunday, and that if draft copies of the resolution (supported by the Bellaire Conservation Club) could be made available before this weekend, he would distribute it at the meeting for support.  Howard will work with Mike Crawford to produce the draft by Friday afternoon.

9.         Elk Rapids Day Park Planning Update

Howard briefed the Committee on the status of the planning process involving representatives of the Parks & Rec Commission, Elk Rapids Village Parks & Rec Commission, Village staff, and Township representatives.  Howard noted that the consensus of the group was to leave the park as natural as possible, and open the park for greater access through walkways and trails.  Only highly supervised special-use camping, for groups such as boy scouts and DELMAC, would be permitted.  The group needs a motion by the Committee to recommend that the Board of Commissioners authorize an application by the County for a Rotary Charities planning grant (approximately $37,500, of which $30,000 would come from Rotary Charities and the rest would be in-kind (non-cash) contributions by the County, Conservation District, Village, and Township.

Discussion ensued on the general desirability of camping versus leaving the park in its natural state.   Bob McLeod suggested renewing talks with the Village for handing over (via lease or similar arrangement) the Day Park to the Village to outfit and operate as they see fit.  Jack White will contact Village officials to start a dialogue to that effect.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to support a grant application by the county for a Rotary Charities planning grant for the Elk Rapids Day Park.  Unanimous.

10.       Wetzel Lake Park Planning Update

Howard updated the Committee on the response from Mancelona Township to the Parks & Rec Commission’s initial proposal for the County developing the park, and the Township operating it.  Their response indicated their preference for the County taking on the responsibility for operation as well.  Bernie Blackmore noted that the Township’s reluctance to commit stems from the lack of a ballpark figure for operation costs projected for the Park.  Howard indicated that he and Alan Pecar will commence contact with the Township representatives for Wetzel Park (Maurice McGleish and Margaret Chapman) to start the planning process so that rough costs can be estimated.