Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Bernard Blackmore

Minutes

November 6, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford and Bernie Blackmore

Members absent:

Bob McLeod

Others present:

Jack White (partial attendance), Eileen Wallick, Janet Person, Mark Randolph, Al Luurtsema, Russ Blasdell, Jerry Basch, Pat and Bill Gardner, Joan and Cliff Killian, Pete Garwood (partial attendance), and Howard Yamaguchi

1.         Meeting called to order at 9:12 a.m. by Mike Crawford

2.         Noteware’s Landing Petition

A delegation of concerned neighbors around Noteware’s Landing presented the Parks Committee with a petition for signage stating park hours and for closure of the park between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.  The delegation comprised Pat and Bill Gardner, and Joan and Cliff Killian.  The delegation explained that many people disturbed the peace at Noteware’s Landing with excessive noise at night, with drinking and shouting, with suspected drug dealing, with trash left on the site, overnight stays, and with verbal threats toward neighbors who have called the police.  Many of the activities happen around the lunch hour and at late night.  On hot summer days, the frequency and duration of incidences increase.

The Parks Committee will bring these matters to the attention of the Sheriff.  Janet Person noted that mid-day incidences of speeding and drug dealing may be perpetrated by local high school students, as Bellaire High has an open campus policy at lunchtime.  Mike Crawford noted that late night incidents seem to coincide with shift changes at local businesses.  The neighbors were encouraged to file formal complaints to leave a paper trail for the sheriff, and not to hesitate calling the sheriff despite verbal threats.

Pete Garwood noted that from the administrative side, an ordinance could be enacted.  Such an ordinance, detailing hours of operation and rules of behavior, could be modeled on the Antrim Creek Natural Area ordinance.  Janet, as Bellaire zoning administrator, could alert the village police about the behavior of high school students during the lunch hours.  The Committee instructed Janet and the staff to work on possible signage for the area first, then consider an ordinance if signage proves inadequate.  The Committee will also ask the Sheriff to contact the Gardners and the Killians next week.

3.         Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update

Mark Randolph presented the Grass River update.  He distributed a handout containing the main work items accomplished during the past month.  He also briefed the Parks Committee about the work being carried out toward the acquisition of the wetland portion of the Skinner property.  The Skinners will sell the wetland portion to GRNA at a bargain sale.  GRNA will sell the wetland portion to the county at fair market value for inclusion into the GRNA, and difference will be the Skinners’ donation to GRNA.  This acquisition could be used as the replacement acreage for wetlands impacted by the airport expansion.

Mark also briefed the Committee on the 10 acre parcel between the creek and the Stanleys.  The owners wish to sell the property at market value.  GRNA is considering ways of funding this purchase.  The Committee encouraged GRNA to proceed with investigating the possibilities.

4.         Barnes Park Update

Eileen Wallick gave the Barnes Park update.  She distributed a handout summarizing her activities for the month.  The handout and discussion included the park usage statistics for 2003.  Eileen noted that the proportion of patrons paying resident rates has increased.  She attributes this in part to out-of-county visitors being more adept in recruiting locals (relatives?) at visitor registration to obtain local rates instead of visitor rates.

5.         Elk Rapids Day Park Update

Bernie Blackmore briefed the committee about the County Lands, Agriculture, and Forestry Committee (CLAF) meeting of the previous week.  CLAF heard Mike Meriwether’s presentation about possible forestry management of the Day Park.  CLAF also heard from other interested parties also present at the meeting.  CLAF then recommended to the Parks Committee that the Day Park be operated for an additional year under the Park system.

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, seconded by Mike Crawford, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the County continue to operate the Elk Rapids Day Park under the park system for one more year.   Motion passed – unanimous.

Bernie Blackmore noted that if this motion is passed by the Board of Commissioners (BOC), Eileen will need her operating funding restored.  This will have to be handled by the BOC and Finance, as an earlier request to roll over the remaining 2003 ER Day Park operating funds was denied. No action may be needed over the winter, but funds will have to be secured before the park opens in the spring.  Janet Person suggested that Mike Meriwether’s Timber Improvement Fund projects could be implemented at the park.  Jerry Basch and Mike Meriwether will arrange to have the park subcommittee view Mike’s suggesting timber cutting program at the site before next months’ CLAF meeting.

6.         Wetzel Lake Update

Janet Person reported that the latest expenditure at the park amounted to about $1,183.80.  About $2,000 more may be available.  She will assign Cory Arsnoe to investigate additional potential projects at the site.  She also suggested that a CMI grant (watershed initiatives) and a tribal grant may be appropriate for funding further improvements and campsite work for 2004 onward.

Bernie Blackmore suggested a Wetzel Lake subcommittee meeting be set up to discuss these matters.  Janet noted that the meeting should be convened at the earliest convenience to accommodate the various application deadlines for these grants.  Howard will poll the various subcommittee members and set an appropriate meeting date.

7.         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 final list of projects and improvements recommended for the park.  He also distributed a briefing document on the discussions held at the regular Parks & Rec Commission meeting held last week.

Al then described the decision by the Parks & Recreation Commission (P&R) to sponsor or act as an umbrella organization that would bring together, at least once a year, all parties in Antrim County involved in parks and recreation, for information exchange and educational sessions.  The Parks & Recreation Commission, in this function, would bring together all park managers and commissions, elected representatives, Chambers of Commerce, civic organizations and others.  MSU and MSU Extension could provide information and speakers for such meetings.  This grouping will work to publicize all parks and recreational facilities in the county, regardless of ownership.  The Parks Committee directed the P&R to start work to that effect.  The first meeting of the P&R subcommittee (Basch [chair], Crawford, Luurtsema, and Wallick) was set for November 18.

Al Luurtsema further informed the Parks Committee that the 2004 budget for P&R includes drastic cuts for per diem and mileage.  As it stands, there is enough per diem for 3 meetings.  Because of manpower requirements for re-writing the Antrim County Comprehensive Recreation Plan next year, as well as for carrying out planning activities for ER Day Park and Wetzel Lake, and for the activities involved in carrying out the “umbrella organization” function, Al Luurtsema appealed to have the original requested budget for 2004 reinstated.  Reinstatement would allow for somewhere between seven and eight meetings for 2004.

Motion by Mike Crawford, seconded by Bernie Blackmore, to recommend to the Finance Committee that the originally requested 2004 Parks & Recreation Commission Budget for per diems and for mileage be set to the originally requested amounts of $2,500 and $1,000, respectively, with other items remaining at currently set levels.  Motion Passed – unanimous.

8.         Member Comment

Mike Crawford informed the committee that he and Russ Blasdell had reconnoitered a possible site for a shooting range on Alden Highway.  The Road Commission and the Antrim County Airport expressed reservations about the site, due to location of a relay tower and other County facilities at or near the site.  The search for other sites within the Bellaire – Alden – Mancelona triangle continues.

Janet Person asked whether the de-icer brochure should be distributed this year again to educate lakeside property owners through the lake associations.  An alternative would be for the County to pass a de-icer ordinance.  Bernie Blackmore suggested that a repeat of last year’s brochure campaign would be preferable.  Russ Blasdell noted that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) had voted down last year’s proposed de-icer resolution.  DEQ and DNR are still considering the pros and cons of de-icers.  The Parks Committee instructed the Conservation District to continue with an education campaign aimed at lakefront owners and newspaper readers.