Minutes

April 7, 2005

10:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford and Joe Allen

Members absent:

Bob McLeod

Staff present:

Peter Garwood and Elizabeth St. Pierre

Others present:

Eileen Wallick, Mark Randolph, Jack White, Russ Blasdell, Linda Gallagher, and Gary Bucklin

1. Meeting called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Mike Crawford

2. Barnes Park Office/Eductaional Center Bid Opening

Contractor name	Bid amount	Insurance/Bid Bond	Cost of Alternative 1 (Air Cond.)	Cost of Alternative 2 (Basement)	Cost of Alternative 3(Sliding Door 6’ to 8’)	Cost of Alternative 4(Sump, Drain tile, & Peastone)
Gary Bucklin/ ACD	$85,824.50	$4,300.00	$2,600.00	$1,550.00	$450.00	$900.00
Petrie Construction	$114,68.00	$5,703.40	$8,000.00	$1,700.00	$200.00	--

Mr. Bucklin also stated that before the camping season starts, he could work during weekends to minimize stock piles of unattended materials during the week and so that the noise would not disturb as many visitors.

MOTION by Mike Crawford was seconded by Joe Allen to recommend to the full board on Thursday April 14 to accept the bid from Gary Bucklin for the base amount plus all alternatives for a total cost of $91,324.50. Carried unanimously.

The proposal for the bid from Gary Bucklin is attached.

3. Barnes Park Firewood Bid Opening

Name	Bid Amount	Insurance*
Complete Contracting Services	$1.75 per bundle >1000 @ 1.35 per bundle	Yes
Greenman Services	$2.50 per bundle	No
E.J. Castle Union Design and Landscaping	$2.00 per bundle	No
Ken Cronin	$2.75 per bundle	No
Bob Weber, COL Campground	$3.00 per bundle	No

* An insurance certificate is required after the job

Ms. Wallick believes that softwood is safer than hardwood which can burn all night and injure children after they fall into the firepits.

MOTION by Michael Crawford second by Joe Allen to go with Complete Contracting as long they know the firewood bundle is 16 " in diameter. If not, then go with E.J. Castle at $2.00 per bundle. Carried unanimously.

The proposal for the bid from Complete Contracting is attached.

4. Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph reported that:

1. the railroad grade issue is going to mediation next Monday. Charlie Koop will be present if he is not delayed. Pete Garwood informed the committee that Mr. Koop was granded a stay of proceedings until the state supreme court rules on a related case.

2. The Grass River Board is looking at a feasibility study for a new building that could range from $900,000 to $1,000,000 to construct plus additional costs for maintenance. The study also indicates that the source of funding has not yet been secured. The GR Board will make decision on whether to proceed with this structure by end of this summer. It had been agreed that Grass River would lease the building from Antrim County for the life of the building, and that the management contract would be extended to the same period.

5. Barnes Park Update

Eileen Wallick would like to get the Parks and Recreation Commission involved with the Elk Rapids School in the Parks and Recreation website. Funding may be available for training teachers next fall.

The Elk Rapids park sign has previously been okayed by Elk Rapids Rotary. However, Ms. Wallick wants to know if work is started on the sign. A decision whether Antrim County should be included on sign should be made today by parks committee, according to Ms. Wallick. Pete Garwood will contact the ER Rotary Club regarding the reference to Antrim County on the sign.

Ms. Wallick has conducted a survey of electric rates at other local parks. She concluded that the same rates for residents and non-residents at Barnes Park would simplify administration of fees.

MOTION by Joe Allen second by Mike Crawford to change the daily rate to $23.00 for electric campsites and to $19.00 for rustic campsites for all campers, and to allow 1 free night for resident campers (with property in Antrim County) who present receipt for 6 nights they stayed at the campground. Carried unanimously.

Campers can use receipts for season/year only for the1 free night of camping.

Topics suggested for events at Barnes Park include a cookouts where rusty crawfish (an exotic species that eats eggs of native fish) are consumed.

Wages for the park crew were discussed. It was mentioned that crew wages is on the Administration and County Services committee agenda.

A construction trailer that can be used as a parks office can be rented for $175 per month with a $150 drop fee and a $150 pick up fee. It has 6-inch step which allow accessibility.

MOTION by Michael Crawford second by Joe Allen to contact Al Strange to see if he would like remove and keep the Barnes Park office building. Carried unanimously.

Ms. Wallick has received authorization for Barnes Park to participate in a pilot program to use waterless urinals.

6. Grant Updates

The Antrim Creek Natural Area MNRTF grant and coastal Management program grants have been submitted.

7. Wetzel Lake Update
	A Michigan DNR Trust fund proposal is being submitted for developments at Wetzel Lake.
8. Parks and Recreation Commission Update
	Linda Gallagher summarized the minutes from the March 24 meeting. A motion was carried to limit information on the Parks and recreation database to the location of where the public can access Antrim County’s Parks and Recreation public recreation facilities. Purchase of the Sevald property for Antrim County with assistance from Todd Vigland from the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy was discussed. Linda Gallagher and Russ Blasdell reported on the Parks and Recreation Forum’s focus on how to coordinate shooting ranges in Antrim County. Ms. Gallagher would like to get more information on the history of the DNR’s Island Lake shooting facility which shut down due after complaints from surrounding neighbors in Brighton, Michigan. The Parks forum sub-committee’s next meeting is on Friday March 15 at 9:00 a.m. at the Antrim County District office. The Forum will be held at the Helena Township Center on May 6, 2005 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
9. Communications and Other Matters
	· The committee decided to wait until the contractor was hired for the Barnes Park information office/cabin. · The Parks and Recreation plan was approved and will be in effect until 2009.
10. Member/Public Comment
	Mr. Garwood confirmed that the Barnes Park ordinance states that every dog must be on a leash when they are in Park boundaries.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.