Parks Committee

Robert McLeod

Mike Crawford, Chairman

Bernard Blackmore

Minutes

December 4, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Members present:

Mike Crawford, Bob McLeod and Bernie Blackmore

Members absent:

None

Others present:

Jack White, Janet Person, Russ Blasdell, and Howard Yamaguchi

1.         Meeting called to order at 9:04 a.m. by Mike Crawford

2.         Letters of Thanks

The Parks Committee instructed staff to send a letter of thanks to Deb Hughes and the faculty and students of Ellsworth High School for their work on the Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA) web site.  The Committee also instructed staff to write a letter of thanks, stressing cooperation between the county and Mancelona Township, for the work done to date on the Wetzel Lake day park.

3.         Barnes Park

The Parks Committee briefly discussed staff schedules at Barnes Park.  The consensus was that as long as the budget permits, the Park Manager could schedule her staff deployment at her discretion.  The Parks Committee also noted that the Parks Manager must provide more detailed receipts and explanations of expenses for submittal to the Finance Committee.

Janet Person noted that we find out next week about the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant application for Barnes Park Improvements.  Mike Crawford reported that the bathhouse is now fully operational, although some issues remain with peeling paint.  Howard reported that the new 2004 rates for Barnes Park have been approved by DNR.

4.         Wetzel Lake Update

Janet Person estimated that to date about $9,400 have been expended at Wetzel Lake.  Mike Crawford is looking into heavy-duty picnic table prices.  Bob McLeod suggested rotating tables from Barnes Park to Wetzel as part of Barnes Park’s table replacement program.

Janet Person noted that there is a book on Wetzel Lake.  Bernie Blackmore informed the Committee that the book was written by Roger Anger's (Mancelona Twp.) father. Bernie further reported that folks in Mancelona are happy about the park.  Janet noted that ACD will perform some work under another grant at the lake.  Work is continuing on DNR proposal. Sand Lake is another possibility in the future for a DNR-county-township park project, perhaps a year and half out.

5.         Noteware’s Landing Update

Janet Person displayed a “quiet hours” sign for Noteware’s Landing, to be installed by ACD.  Mike Crawford noted that the sheriff had contacted the petitioners in person, and had obtained some information from them.

6.         Parks & Recreation Commission Update

Howard noted that the committees were set up to re-do the Comprehensive Parks Plan update and to set up the county-wide parks and recreation forum.  Mike Crawford added that the meeting will take place in late February or early March.  He will request assistance from the Finance Committee to fund the refreshments and the meeting facilities.

Howard also noted that the budget for Parks & Rec still stands at sufficient to fund only 3.5 meetings.  Mike Crawford noted that the current commission is a good, hard-working group that will require at least 8 meetings to accomplish all the required activities.  Jack White questioned the need for so many meetings to update the park plan.   Howard noted that new parks were being added to the system, as well as a potential shooting range.

Russ Blasdell reported on his work in searching for suitable properties, both county-owned and private, for a new public shooting range.  Bernie Blackmore noted that the County Lands Agriculture and Forestry Committee recommended to the Conservation Club that they pursue outside funding with ACD to acquire land, as forestry lands typically have deed restrictions that preclude their use as shooting ranges.

Janet Person will check to see if MNRTF grants may be available for setting up shooting ranges.  Mike Crawford suggested that the Bellaire Conservation Club set up a business and management plan for operating a shooting range.

7.         De-icer Campaign

Janet Person and Mike Crawford discussed activities and educational material that will emphasize the dangers of de-icers, to be disseminated through lakes associations, newspapers, talks and sportsman's clubs.

8.         Member Comment

Janet Person described the grants that will be pursued for the Antrim Creek Natural Area under the ACD name: EPA environmental education grant, Norcross Foundation, and tribes.  She also noted that the Village of Bellaire will host a workshop on the Open Meetings Act.

Mike Crawford suggested that it may be time to consider hiring a Parks Director.  Bob McLeod noted that it may not be possible to create a new position for a year or two, but Parks & Rec may want to research such a position.  Janet Person offered the services of the Antrim Conservation District for that role when the time comes.

The Parks Committee agreed to restore Eileen Wallick’s life insurance coverage that was inadvertently dropped when carriers were changed. Janet updated the Committee on some pending legislation that would close all road-end public access points to the public.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.