Antrim County
Parks and Recreation Commission

February 24, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:

  

Jerome Dobrzelewski,  Allen Pecar,  Stan Moore, Mike Meriwether, Jerry Basch, Mike Crawford

Members Absent:

  

Linda Gallagher

Staff Present:

  

Pete Garwood, E. St. Pierre

Others Present:

  

Janet Person

I.          Call to Order
 

Stan Moore called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

II.         Approval of January 11, 2005 minutes
 

Motion by Jerome Dobrzelewski supported by Allen Pecar to accept the January 11, 2005 minutes was carried unanimously.

III.        Chain of Lakes Water Trail Update
 

A study by UP Engineering and coordinated through the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) targets tourism with water trail with designated stops, lockers for kayaks, and signs.  Dams between Lake Michigan and these lakes disqualifies them from developments funded through the Coastal Management Plan. The Waterways Committee made up of representatives from the four participating villages (Bellaire, Central Lake, Ellsworth, and East Jordon) was also applied for but did not receive a Greenways Grant.  Janet will keep Commission informed if any potential group or club within the Chain of Lakes (e.g. the 6 Mile Lake Association) could be contacted for donating funding for this project.

IV.        Parks and Recreation Plan Update
  This plan was approved at the last Board of Commissioners meeting with some corrections and clarifications.   The map of the parks and recreation facilities in Banks Township was distributed as an example of how the maps from each township will look.  These  maps will be a part of the final draft of the plan. Copies will be distributed upon completion of the maps.
V.         Parks and Recreation database update
 

Currently, only the public access sites are on this data base. A decision needs to be made on how to publicize the location of these sites after all of the information is accurately updated.

 

A quote for $2475 from Land Information Access Association (LIAA) to continue work on the parks and recreation database (including maps) and website maintenance and enhancement was distributed.

 

Motion by Jerome Dobrzelewski seconded by Jerry Basch to recommend that the Finance Committee approve funding for this effort.  Funding for the $2,475 cost to come from the Parks and Recreation Commission budget. Carried unanimously.

 

Motion by Jerry Basch, seconded by Jerome Dobrzelewski to train Heather Janek (computer teacher for Mancelona Middle School) so she and her students can take the lead on the Wetzel Lake website. Carried unanimously.

 

What  exactly is expected of Ms. Janek and the Mancelona students and what she feels they can deliver must be clarified. Content would come from the Wetzel Lake Commission.  Framework for database for basic maps are available from LIAA, but since more complex search capabilities would be more expensive, additional funding sources were discussed.

 

Jerome Dobrzelewski pointed out that students involved in the website could help police the parks.

 

Motion by Jerry Basch second by Jerome Dobrzelewski  to recommend that the  Parks Committee  provide $500 to train an instructor from Mancelona Schools; and possibly other teachers from Alba Schools to develop the Wetzel Lake website and possibly Sand Lake and Five Lake websites.

VI.        Grants
 

Since the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund did not fund the first proposals for developing Wetzel Lake and Antrim Creek Natural Area, the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to resubmit the proposals and match for the same amounts.  Proposals will be reviewed by their subcommittee by the end of summer.  The Tribal grant was also applied for. The Rotary grant will be submitted this week.

 

Plans for the Barnes Park log building are out for bid.  Pete is working on the electrical aspects. Logs were peeled for the building which should be up in June or July according to Janet Person.

VII.       Other matters
 

Two topics for a spring Parks and Recreation  forum were discussed:

1.      A combined gun range that would minimize hazards to the surrounding community in Antrim County. A facilitator could work with conservation clubs (such as the Ruffed Grouse Society, MUCC, others) skeet shooters, long shooters, NRA and others to develop a strategy that would coordinate activities and consolidate resources. Use of school property was discussed.

2.      Forestry. Topics could focus on techniques of maintaining forest health, for example, methods of preventing and managing insect outbreaks.

Mike Meriwether would like to commission to add a community center to the Parks Forum agenda; but acknowledges there may not be enough time for a third issue.

The title of the forum will be determined by a subcommittee (Stan Moore, Mike Meriwether, Mike Crawford, Jerry Basch) and Dr. Rathke before the next P&R meeting. The forum will be held on May 6.  Stan Moore will email dates when Dr. Rathke can meet with this group to develop the program and recommend guest speakers.

VIII.      Communications
 

Motion by Michael Crawford, seconded by Jerome Dobrzelewski to email a letter of support for a $5000 grant for a sensory garden for the visually impaired for Helena Township. Carried unanimously.

 

Methods of making reservations at Barnes Park were discussed.

 

Boat landings and breakwalls on the Lake Michigan coastline at Barnes Park and Antrim Creek Natural Area were discussed.  Banks Township has opposed such developments for various reasons at the Banks Township Park. Disruption of existing opportunities for quiet recreation, alteration of sand/water flows may be other considerations for both sites. Benefits of the structures include potential revenue through fees for usage of boat launches and the convenience to motorists who get stuck launching boats in the current conditions.  The DEQ may have funding for some of these structures.

IX.        Adjournment       Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.  
 

Next Meeting
Thursday, March 24, 2005, at 9:00 a.m.