Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Bernard Blackmore

Minutes

May 1, 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, Mike Meriwether, Mark Randolph, Howard Yamaguchi, and Russ Blasdell

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

2.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph reported that part of the 28-acre Skinner property, which abuts on Clam Lake, will be donated to GRNA.  Mrs. Skinner will donate the wetland frontage on Clam Lake, and will be willing to sell GRNA the wetlands portion of the rest of the plot.  The upland portion of the 28-acre lot will be sold to others.  The donation will take place when the rest of the lot is sold.

Mark noted that the purchase of the wetland portion of the Skinner property might become part of the wetland mitigation exercise for the airport runway extension.  Engineers for the airport have already been to the Skinner property to investigate. Bob McLeod cautioned that the County is hoping to mitigate using County-owned land, avoiding purchase of additional land if possible.  If purchase is included in the airport grant, the county cash match portion would go up proportionately.  Mark was requested to attend this month’s Transportation Committee meeting to discuss the matter.

Mark reported that DNR has completed its audit on 5 parcels of GRNA land.  GRNA owes the county $500, which will be repaid this year.

The cabin at GRNA was broken into several times last year, in September and October.  GRNA is contemplating purchase of a security system, comprising a motion sensor system and possible lighting changes and sheriff notification system.  Some discussion ensued on the overnight cash management practices of GRNA.  Mark noted that the theft that occurred last year was from the contribution can, not their cash supply.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to endorse the purchase of a security system for the cabin by the Grass River Natural Area.  Passed - unanimous.

Mark related the recent incident where the GRNA shared its business database with a computer vendor in exchange for computer servicing at the GRNA office.  One of the GRNA business contributors objected strongly to the sharing of the database with a commercial entity.  Mark emphasized that the database shared was not the membership database, which would never be shared with an outside entity.  At the meeting of the GRNA board that night, Mark will propose that business databases be shared only with the consent of the full board.  Bob McLeod noted that privacy laws may prohibit such sharing.  Mark will check with Charlie Koop before the GRNA board meeting.

Finally, Mark invited the Board of Commissioners and others to participate in the GRNA “Spruce-up Day” to be held on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch and refreshments served.

3.         Park Manager Report

Eileen Wallick distributed her report.  She began with the quotations received for the proposed repair/replacement of the defective roof beam at the Elk Rapids Day Park Pavilion.  Kitty Hawk quoted $17,000 for beam replacement.  Antrim Enterprises bid $2,600.  Joe Wirtz quoted $9,352 for beam repair (sketch distributed).  No money is budgeted for this repair, the need for which was discovered last fall.  Bob McLeod asked whether replacement has to take place this year.  Bernie Blackmore noted that he would like to see a proper bidding procedure for any work.  The Parks Committee instructed to Howard and Eileen to ask Arlen Turner (Building Inspector) to inspect the damage and decide whether or not the structure needs to be condemned.

Eileen briefed the Committee on the details of the final work being performed on the bathhouse.  An additional expense would be replacement of the mats outside the shower rooms.  Cost to the park is $180.  Discussion on whether or not a defibrillator was required for installation at the Park.  Committee’s consensus was that the proximity of the Torch Lake EMS suggests that installation is not necessary.

On the subject of drinks and ice sales, after examination of cost options, the Committee instructed Eileen to obtain prices from vending machine contractors to install and service machines at the Park for the season.  Staff will sell bags of ice.  Eileen further briefed the Committee on Ameritech price for an ad ($108/yr) in the Grand Traverse edition of the yellow pages.  She has also edited the Fen’s Rim ad, and the graphic will be changed at no cost this year.  Fen’s Rim will also create a park map.  Eileen will obtain quotes for a handicapped sidewalk from the parking area to the bathhouse.

Eileen has received an e-mail from a Dave McDonald, who wishes to operate a self-contained mobile concession stand at Barnes Park.  After some discussion, the Committee instructed Eileen to check with the Township zoning administrator on the mechanics of obtaining such a permit.

Janet Person reported that the Antrim Conservation District is parting with a 94 Ford pickup.  The vehicle needs an oil pan replacement (a $300 repair).  Would the park want it?  If not, the ACD will sell it to the best offerer.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to accept the 1994 Ford pickup from the Antrim Conservation District.  Unanimous

4.         Wetzel Lake Park Planning Update

Howard briefed the committee about his contact with Joyce Angel-Ling of the DNR, who has replaced Bill O’Neill as our case officer on Wetzel Lake Park.  She could not come to this month’s committee meeting, but is available to come to the June meeting.  Howard noted that a delegation of the Wetzel Lake Subcommittee could go to see her before the June meeting to discuss the project and possible activities in the summer.  Mike Crawford instructed Howard to arrange a date sometime during the week following the Board of Commissioners meeting.  Bernie Blackmore suggested involving Roger Anger of Mancelona Township in the process.

Bernie Blackmore suggested that the County use the $12,500 budgeted for engineering for creating a day use park up and running this year rather than planning for rustic camping. Mike Crawford asked what needed to be done. Bernie Blackmore replied that action items include: road repair, portapotties or outjohns, general cleanup, and other matters needed for day park use (including diving to rid the lake of junk).  Handicapped portajohns can be used the first year.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to direct the Parks & Rec Commission to instruct the Wetzel Lake Planning Subcommittee to create and cost plans for implementing a day use park for 2003.  Unanimous

5.         Elk Rapids Day Park Update

As we failed to be short listed for a Rotary Charities grant, the Antrim Conservation District requested permission from the Parks Committee to submit, under the ACD name, a Coastal Management Program grant for Day Park planning.  The write-up follows the program proposed in the Rotary Charities grant, amended as needed using the most recent ideas from the Elk Rapids Park Subcommittee.  No cash match is required.  Responding to a question from Bob McLeod, Howard noted that during the coming year, grant applications will be filled with a greater lead time and with more involvement from members of the Parks & Rec Commission.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to approve the request by the Antrim Conservation District to enter an application for a Coastal Management Program grant for Elk Rapids Day Park Planning, at no cash cost to the County.  Unanimous

6.         Elk Rapids Dam Parking Lot Planning

Howard briefed the Committee that the Elk Rapids Day Park Planning Subcommittee had also been given the task of spending the coming year doing some planning work for the parking lot.  Bob Peterson, the Village manager, has noted that the village will hold hearings and meetings as needed to gain public input.  Local matching grants can also be solicited and generated for next year’s cycle of grant applications.

7.         Cedar River Natural Area

Mike Meriwether briefed the Committee on plans for a bridge replacement and new trail system in the Cedar River Natural Area.  The County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners in the May meeting.

8.         Other Matters

Mike Meriwether briefed the Committee on the matter of two century-old trees recommended for felling in Alden.  Local residents want to preserve them, but Mike has recommended that at least one of them be felled for safety reasons.  Both are hollowed out inside through decay.

Bob McLeod thanked Eileen Wallick and her crew for their walk-through in the Antrim Creek Natural Area, enumerating tasks to be performed for the year.