Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Bernard Blackmore

Minutes

March 6, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford, Bob McLeod , and Bernie Blackmore

Members absent:

None

Others present:

Eileen Wallick, Janet Person, Howard Yamaguchi, and Mark Randolph

1.         Meeting called to order at 8:55 a.m. by Mike Crawford

2.         Park Manager Report

Eileen Wallick reported that work must be performed on establishing emergency procedures, especially during lightning strikes.  A former employee who had worked for her for 13 years (and has been gone for 13 years) has contacted her for employment.  He will return to service for the overnight shift this season.  She will work with the Coordinator/Planner office for setting proper hourly rates for this returning former employee.  She is having some difficulty obtaining quotations from contractors for replacement of the deteriorated beam at the Elk Rapids Day Park Pavilion in the absence of an engineer’s examination.  Mike Crawford suggested issuing waivers of liability, and suggested several more contacts for Eileen to follow.  If cold weather persists, Eileen commented that her starting date may be delayed by a week or so.  Bob McLeod noted that bad weather will let her perform her administrative work unhindered.

3.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph presented a handout and requested Parks Committee action on three items.  The first is County involvement in the planning for the new Visitor Center and office at Grass River.  He presented the results of the visioning sessions GRNA held for the building.  GRNA suggests that an ad-hoc committee be established, comprising the GRNA Board Chair, Jack White, Coordinator/Planner, a Co. Finance Committee member, the Buildings & Grounds Committee chair, legal counsels of Co. and GRNA, and a Parks Committee representative.  This committee would meet once a month for several months to ensure that both the County’s and GRNA’s expectations are established and met in the building project.  Bob McLeod suggested that the appointments be made in April, since Jack White will not be present this month at the County Board meeting.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that an ad-hoc planning committee be appointed to commence and guide the final design of the proposed Grass River Visitor Center.  This committee would comprise various members of the boards and staffs of both the County and GRNA.  Passed - unanimous.

Mark Randolph next presented the proposed new contract between the County and GRNA.  All the agreed-upon changes have not been inserted in the document.  Mike Crawford suggested to Bob McLeod, acting chair for the Board of Commissioners for March, to request the presence of the GRNA chair and Charlie Koop at the March meeting to have it approved.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the new proposed management contract between the County and Grass River Natural Area, Inc., provided that the final wording has been approved by the Prosecuting Attorney and the GRNA Board.    Passed - unanimous.

Finally, Mark presented the Committee with the new reverter clause language, as worked out by the County prosecuting attorney and the GRNA board.  The old language was too restrictive and absolute in the activities allowed within the GRNA, as was the period of time allowed the County to correct any situations that violates a conveyance condition.  The GRNA board was scheduled to act on the reverter clause that night at their meeting.

5.         Wetzel Lake Park Planning Update

Howard and Bernie Blackmore updated the Committee on the planning process for Wetzel Lake.  Howard informed the Committee of the reasons for combining the Wetzel Lake and Elk Rapids projects in the grant application to Rotary Charities.  The resulting cash match would significantly increase the chances of winning a grant under an extremely competitive environment. Since this involved a cash match of $16,000+ (from budgeted funds), and the Board of Commissioners, in the February meeting, only approved an Elk Rapids grant without a cash match.  Bob McLeod noted that this is a violation of procedure and that this would have to be explained at the full Board meeting.

Janet Person briefed the committee on the details of the proposed work plan for Wetzel: summer swimming activities (porta-johns if available), including diving and removal of trash from the lake before the season, area resident surveys, and carrying capacity studies. There was a suggestion that only electric motors be allowed on the lake to accommodate senior citizens who can no longer row out to fishing spots. The Road Commission will be asked to contribute some time to improve the roadway into the swimming area.  This committee must write to the DNR to request a lease and other required permissions.  If possible, we should have the DNR representative meet with the Committee.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to invite Mr. William O’Neil of the DNR Land Management Division in Gaylord to the next Parks Committee meeting to discuss lease of the Wetzel Lake property.   Passed - unanimous.

Bob McLeod noted that since there are several jurisdictions involved in the planning and implementation of the Wetzel Lake project, the County Prosecutor’s office must be involved in the various stages of this project, as the County does not own this property.

6.         Elk Rapids Day Park Update

Howard informed the committee the Rotary Charities grant application had been submitted (along with Wetzel Lake).  He also stated that while the Village officers are aware of the County’s wish to discuss the ultimate disposition of the Day Park, Jack White’s being on vacation necessitated a month delay in the start of talks between the County and the Village.  The committee instructed Howard to write to Jack White to request that he initiate contact with the Village in time to report to the committee for its April meeting.

7.         Emmett County Railroad Right-of-Way Resolution

The committee ascertained that the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railroad was indeed the line that runs through Antrim County before acting on the resolution.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Administration Committee to elevate the resolution to the Board of Commissioners with the Parks Committee’s support. Passed- unanimous.

8.         Member Comment/Other Matters

Bernie Blackmore brought up the need to look ahead for facilities maintenance.  The committee agreed to request the Buildings and Grounds Committee to perform a complete walkthrough of the parks facilities and recommend a long-term maintenance and replacement schedule.  Janet Person noted that the Conservation District received a $10,000 tribal grant for Cedar River Natural Area.