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Antrim County |
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March 24, 2005 |
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Minutes |
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Members Present: |
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Stan Moore, Jerome Dobrzelewski, Mike Meriwether, Linda Gallagher, Russ Blasdell, Allen Pecar |
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Members Absent: |
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Jerry Basch, Mike Crawford |
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Staff Present: |
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Elizabeth St. Pierre, Eileen Wallick, Pete Garwood |
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I. Call to Order |
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Stan Moore called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. |
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II. Approval of February 24, 2005 minutes |
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Motion by Jerome Dobrzelewski supported by Allen Pecar to accept the February 24, 2005 minutes was carried unanimously. |
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III. Forum update |
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Two topics, forest health (insect pests) and locations for outdoor shooting opportunities in Antrim County are being developed for the next forum. The senior center and Helena Township hall are being considered as the location for this event. |
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IV. Parks and Recreation Facilities Maps |
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Maps of Parks and Recreation facilities for each township were reviewed. Members stated that the quality looks good and that the location of some school properties may be added to the maps. |
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V. Parks and Recreation Plan Update |
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The Parks and Recreation plan has been submitted to the Michigan DNR for approval. |
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VI. Parks and Recreation Database Update |
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Motion by Linda Gallagher seconded by Allen Pecar to limit information on the Parks and Recreation database to the location of Antrim County’s Parks and Recreation's public recreation facilities. Carried unanimously.
Mike Meriwether suggested that if the county sold several narrow lots to neighboring private landowners on Lake Michigan, funding could be used to purchase wider lots that would provide greater public access or improve existing lots.
Elizabeth St. Pierre distributed a brochure that describes methods of preventing shoreline erosion that could be given to the new shoreline owners. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is currently distributing packets including this and other publications to all area realtors who sell shoreline properties. |
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VII. Grant Updates |
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$2475 for contracting with LIAA was approved by the Finance Committee and the Board. Pete Garwood will contact Dave Frey from LIAA regarding what is covered under this funding. Stan Moore will work with Allen Pecar and staff from LIAA on future website formats for the parks and recreation database.
A Michigan DNR Trust fund proposal for developing trails and campgrounds on Wetzel Lake will be mailed this week.
Two proposals for the Antrim Creek Natural Area have been written. A proposal for funding from Coastal Management to construct displays was sent out March 23. Another proposal will be submitted to the Michigan DNR Trust Fund before the end of March. |
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| VIII. Barnes Park Update | |||
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Bids for work on the new building at Barnes Park will be accepted until April 4 so that work can be completed by mid-May. In the meantime, construction trailers may be available for use as office space at Barnes Park. However, these trailers heat up quickly and may become uncomfortable for staff and visitors during hot weather according to Eileen Wallick. |
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IX. Other matters |
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Todd Vigland from the Grand Traverse Conservancy is helping Forest Home Township and potentially Antrim County acquire the Sevald property which is adjacent to land currently owned by the county. Details of the deal must be worked out to the satisfaction of Antrim County.
Elizabeth St. Pierre indicated she has references (co-authored by a variety of hunting and other groups) that explain how keeping these mature forest stands connected or at least in locations where they serve as “stepping stones” will help sustain populations of a variety insect-eating songbirds that historically migrated through this region but which are now declining in number due to forest fragmentation.
Ms. St. Pierre also can provide guidelines that illustrate how and where mature tree canopy, limbs, twigs (as well as other structures that develop and accumulate over time) can benefit this property by: · shading soils, seeps, temporary pools and thus slowing evaporation during the hot droughts predicted for Michigan (on p. 15-16 of the 2005 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for Antrim County). · channeling excess rainwater to groundwater for later use by vegetation and human use during times of drought.
Mike Meriwether recommended that the Sevald property be purchased in order to connect forested lands and that it be managed for timber revenues that could eventually reimburse the county for this expenditure. Several committee members indicated that this property could serve as an area for trails as well.
Motion by Linda Gallagher seconded by Alan Pecar to encourage the Antrim County Board of Commissioners to acquire the Sevald property for public recreation. Carried unanimously.
The State of Michigan (DNR) is selling 500 acres of land in Emmet County that could add to existing recreational areas. |
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X. Communications |
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None. |
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Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. |
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Next Meeting |
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