Minutes

October 2, 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, Mark Randolph, Al Luurtsema, Russ Blasdell, Dale Hansen, and Howard Yamaguchi

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

2. Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph presented the Grass River update. He distributed a handout containing vision statements for the proposed nature center. He also reported that at the ad-hoc committee of county and GRNA members, all issues of ownership and financing of the center were agreed upon. Some discussion also ensued on the hunting exclusion zone around the nature center. Mark feels there is no need to expand the exclusion zone.

Mark noted that in addition to raising an estimated $500,000 for the center, GRNA plans to raise an estimated $1 million for the endowment to help finance long-term operation and maintenance costs and other expenses. Dale Hansen noted that GRNA is working on a 5-year business plan.

The committee requested that Mark present the GRNA’s plan, with additional information on the projected financing, to the full Board of Commissioners at their October 9 meeting. Jack White encouraged him to state the plan briefly and succinctly.

3. Barnes Park Update

Eileen Wallick gave the Barnes Park update. She distributed a handout summarizing her activities for the month. Among other items, she reported that the new bathhouse is fully functional, and presented the results of her survey of 2004 park rates. She also suggested a return to the single-rate fee schedule for residents and non-residents. After a brief discussion, the Committee decided to keep the two-tier rate structure (residents vs non-residents), and to raise Barnes Park fees.

Motion by Bob McLeod, seconded by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Barnes Park overnight camping fee be raised by $2 across the board to be set as follows for 2004:

	Non-Resident	Non-Resident
Electric Sites	$ 18	$ 22
Non-Electric Sites	$ 15	$ 17

Motion passed – unanimous.

A short discussion ensued on the practice by other campsites for charging campers for the use of the park dumpster for disposing of their solid wastes.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, seconded by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that a usage fee for the solid waste dump station at Barnes Park be set at $10. Motion passed – unanimous.

Motion by Bob McLeod, seconded by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to raise Pavilion rental fees by $5.00 to be set as follows for 2004:

	Non-Resident	Non-Resident
Pavilion Rental	$ 35	$ 55

Motion passed – unanimous.

Park patrons who have already made Pavilion reservations for 2004 at the old rate will have their reservations honored at the 2003 rate. Howard informed the Park Committee that after the Board of Commissioners approves these rates, he will notify DNR of the increases.

The committee authorized Eileen to hire Peninsula Irrigation for blowing out the lines of both parks for $100. Finally, Mike Crawford encouraged the park manager to hold more events like the Halloween campouts and such.

4. Wetzel Lake Update

Janet Person noted that thus far, about $9,400, has been expended out of the $12,500 allocated for Wetzel Lake. There will be some funds available to carry over to the next year. There was some discussion on placing afton stone for the boat ramp area. Bernie Blackmore has visited the site recently, and has photographed some erosion and gullying on the main road and on some hillsides.

Janet reported that the planning subcommittee will pull together a plan this fall/winter for the proposed Wetzel Lake campsite and its funding, We will initially request a 20-year lease from DNR. Janet will talk to Joyce Angel-Ling soon. Janet will also talk to Consumers Energy to negotiate a better price for servicing the park. Bernie Blackmore noted that there have been no further vandalism problems for portapotty and garbage at the site. Janet recommended placing the afton stone this year because fishermen will be using the lake thru November.

Motion by Bob McLeod, seconded by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Finance Committee to use some of the remaining $3,100 for afton stone and add the remainder of the 2003 Wetzel Lake “Consultant” budget line item to next year's Parks Commission budget for Wetzel Lake – unanimous.

Janet and Howard also briefed the committee on the Mellem Family trail sign that will be installed soon. Janet noted that the Land Conservancy has the right to name the Skaff property, but the County is free to call the Jabara Property “Cedar River Natural Area.”

5. Parks & Recreation Commission Update

Al Luurtsema, Chairman of the Antrim County Parks & Recreation Commission (P&R), briefed the committee on the work session held at ER Day Park by the planning subcommittee. He distributed a handout on the possible small-scale projects compiled to date for the Day Park. He also distributed a briefing document on the discussions held at the regular Parks & Rec Commission meeting held last week. Mike Crawford noted that Parks & Recreation Commission proposed to publicize ALL parks in the County, not just county-owned ones. He also noted that Jim Ferguson had resigned from the Parks & Rec Commission. Howard added that the county had advertised to fill the vacancy.

Janet then brought up the possibility for the Antrim Conservation District (ACD) to take over the management of the Elk Rapids Day Park, based on a tree-cutting proposal by Mike Meriwether. Janet will present a project proposal at the County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee meeting next month.

Al Luurtsema and Eileen Wallick requested that any funds remaining in the 2003 Elk Rapids Day Park budget be carried over to 2004.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, seconded by Bob McLeod, to recommend to the Finance Committee that the remainder of the 2003 Elk Rapids Day Park budget be carried over to the Elk Rapids Park Budget for 2004. Motion Passed – unanimous.

Bob McLeod asked whether some of the four bike racks at the Day Park could be put to better use. Eileen noted that a possibility would be to move the unused bike racks to Wetzel Lake.

6. Member Comment

Bob McLeod stated that the Wetzel Lake project has been the best project to date during his tenure at the Parks Committee. Kudos to all those that were involved.

Mike Crawford informed the committee that a suitable county-owned site may have been located for a shooting range off Alden Highway. The site already has a deep pit. Janet noted that MNRTF grants may be available for a shooting range. NRA may also have grants.

Mike Crawford also noted that he and Russ Blasdell had scouted out a possible county park purchase on Torch Lake near Dockside restaurant. The owner is not in any hurry to sell, and hence there may be some time to round up some state and other funding for a major purchase.

Meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.