Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Bernard Blackmore

Minutes

June 5, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford, Bob McLeod and Bernie Blackmore

Members absent:

None

Others present:

Jack White, Eileen Wallick, Peg Comfort, Janet Person, Mark Randolph, Howard Yamaguchi, and Russ Blasdell

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

2.         Japanese Delegation Visit

Peg Comfort briefed the Committee on a trip to Japan by members of local lake associations.  She informed the Committee that a return trip by a small Japanese delegation (8) is scheduled for the area June 25-27.  June 26 is a watershed tour of Chain of Lakes.  She will take the group to ACNA, CRNA, and GRNA to illustrate the concept of natural areas.  She invited the Parks Committee to join them all or a portion of the day.  Howard will participate as a backup interpreter and translator.  Peg left the meeting at 9:10.

3.         Park Manager Report

Eileen Wallick briefed the Committee about the Elk Rapids pavilion. The A-frame columns are beset by rot, and one of them has completely failed.  Howard distributed photos of the site.  She further noted that the board under the shingles may also be rotted.  Building Inspector Arlen Turner was instructed to inspect the building today and offer suggestions for repair. In the meantime, Bob McLeod pondered where the funds for demolition (if needed) would originate.

Eileen distributed her Barnes Park report.  She briefed the Committee on the time spent by herself and her staff to set various bathhouse quirks right.  Because of various dysfunctions, the bathhouse was not fully open (only the toilets were) for Memorial Day weekend.  She noted that the water lines were not blown by the well driller, and there was still sand in the urinals when flushed.

There were three quotations for the repair of the fence at Elk Rapids Day Park: $1,875 (Perfect Fence), $1,050 (Grand Traverse Bay), and $657 (Apple). Three locations along the fence need repair.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to expend $657 from the Parks budget toward the repair by Apple Fence Co. of the Elk Rapids Day Park fence.  Passed - unanimous.

Mike Crawford suggested that it may be time to invoke the penalty clause in the construction contract between Robert T. Cole Inc. and the County for the construction of the bathhouse.  He cited the seeming lack of responsiveness on the part of the contractor to needed repairs to bring the bathhouse up to full functionality in time for the tourist season.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to implement the penalty clause (retroactive May 15) on the contract between Robert T. Cole Inc. and the County for construction of the Barnes Park bathhouse, and request the County Prosecutor’s office to handle the matter .  Passed - unanimous.

The Committee further instructed Eileen that park vehicles should be used according to historic practice, and that this year’s pesticide work should be within budget.  If additional funds are desired for more thorough work, the funds should be requested in next year’s budget.  Finally, Howard noted that a memo from the Clerk’s office reminds the Committee to allocate an additional $161.50 for the bathhouse tiling work.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to transfer $161.50 from the Parks Budget “uniforms” line item to “building maintenance” towards payment of the additional funds required to pay the Barnes Park bathhouse tiling work invoice.  Passed - unanimous.

Eileen requested action by the Committee on the matter of Dave McDonald, who has requested permission to set up a self-contained hot dog stand.  She noted that there are many township and health requirements that must be met before Mr. McDonald can set up a stand in the park, but the County Prosecutor states that the Committee should first set policy concerning such concessions.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to deny operation of such concessions in Barnes Park.  Passed - unanimous.

4.         Wetzel Lake Park Planning Update

Howard briefed the committee about the joint County-Township meeting with Joyce Angel-Ling of the DNR.  The County has requested a one-year “Volunteer Agreement” with DNR.  This agreement, which was OK’d by the DNR very recently, provides the County with permission to set up day-use facilities at the beach area.  In the meantime, the joint planning group will prepare a more elaborate application to the DNR for possible lease of up to 80 acres for a campground.

Howard asked who would be responsible for implementation, as the Parks & Rec Commission, hitherto in the lead, is a planning and advisory body.  Jack White and Bob McLeod noted that it may be impractical for Eileen’s staff to journey across the county every day to maintain the park.  An appropriation to the Township may be in order.  The joint committee will hash out these details.  In the meantime, Janet Person will take the lead for the joint committee.

Jack White suggested that Mancelona Village be asked if they would participate in the management of the Wetzel Lake area, as the lake is also a swimming hole for Village residents.

5.         Parks & Recreation Update

Jim Ferguson briefed the Committee on the need, perceived by the Parks & Recreation Commission, for a session to enable the 2004 Parks & Rec budget to be set.  However, in discussions among the Parks & Rec members, the need for input from other parks components (like ACNA, CRNA, GRNA, ACD) became very apparent.  The need is to coordinate future park plans county-wide (as opposed to setting day-to-day management details for the other components).

The Parks Committee instructed the Parks & Recreation Commission to re-set the proposed goal-setting session date so that representatives of all components can attend.  For the 2004 Parks & Rec budget, the Parks Committee suggested requesting an amount similar to what was approved for 2003.

Howard then briefed the Committee on the joint planning process currently in progress with the village and township of Elk Rapids concerning the management plan for the Elk Rapids Day Park.  The Committee members gave their assent to organizing small projects with local entities for small improvements to the Day Park.

Jack White led the discussion on the question of whether or not the County should deed or lease the Day Park to the Village of Elk Rapids for their management.  Various comments on lease versus deed were made.  Jack White will confer with Village officers on the lease, and will report back to the Committee.

6.         Grass River Natural Area Update

Mark Randolph briefed the Committee on the matter of using Grass River properties (existing and potential) for mitigation of possible wetland loss at the Antrim County airport.  He described his visits to various properties with the consulting engineers (airport) and DEQ. 

Mark noted that there was one complaint to the sheriff about the continuing closure to the public by the Banfields of the disputed segment of the former railroad right-of-way.  He then briefed the committee on planned improvements to the barn at Grass River, and the grant received for upgrading his office computers.  The GRNA board meeting scheduled for that night would revive the “ad-hoc” committee comprising key County and GRNA representatives.

7.         Other Matters

Janet Person requested funds to purchase stock paper for printing additional park brochures.  She did not charge the Parks & Rec Commission for the earlier print run.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Bob McLeod, to allocate $80 from the Parks & Recreation printing budget for 300 additional sheets.  Passed - unanimous