Antrim County
Parks and Recreation Commission

 

May 26, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:

 

Stan Moore, Jerry Basch, Russ Blasdell, Jerry Dobrzelewski, Mike Meriwether, Al Pecar, Linda Gallagher

Members Absent:

 

Mike Crawford, Mark Stone

Staff Present:

 

Pete Garwood, Eileen Wallick

Others:

 

Janet Person

I.          Call to Order

 

Stan Moore called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

II.         Approval of March 24, 2005 minutes

 

Motion by Jerry Dobrzelewski, supported by Linda Gallagher, to approve the minutes of April 28, 2005.  Motion carried – unanimous.

III.        Forum Update

 

Stan Moore, Chairman, presented the results of the survey from the forum.

 

Mike Meriwether and Linda Gallagher both agreed the best option for a shooting range is the Alba Sportsman Club.  Mr. Meriwether thought if we can help find them some money, an expansion of there current operation could be possible. Ms. Gallagher said it will take cooperation from the State, County and Township level.  Ultimately, most of the Parks and Recreation Commission members thought if a shooting range in Antrim County is to be successful, it will have to be a collaborative effort of the three conservation/sportsmen clubs.

 

Russ Blasdell indicated he thought property in the center of the County would be a good way to go.

 

Ms. Gallagher was concerned about the future of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).  Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, summarized the lawsuit Comben v. the State of Michigan and the potential effects of a spin-off lawsuit on the MNRTF.

 

Mr. Moore reviewed the survey from the Parks Forum with the Commission.

 

 

Motion by Jerry Basch, supported by Linda Gallagher, to send a memorandum to the Parks Committee and the Board of Commissioners regarding shooting sports and shooting ranges that would include the following recommendations:

·         Expand the types of shooting range opportunities (e.g. long range shooting, trap shooting, etc.)

·         The consolidation/coordination of conservation clubs in the County.

·         Expand youth program, including gun safety instruction.

·         Encourage the use of the facility by law enforcement.

·         Include a strong emphasis on safety.

·         Seek out Tourism opportunities.

Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Stan Moore and Peter Garwood will put a communication together and will allow the other members to review and comment through email.

IV.        Parks and Recreation Database Update

 

Mr. Moore updated the Commission members about his electronic conversations with Rob from LIAA about the new information on the database.  Ms. Gallagher reminded the Commission that they had previously decided the database would display public facilities only.

 

The Commission discussed the public lands book that had previously been published as a hard copy.  The Antrim Conservation District is getting ready to do a limited print of fifteen hard copies.  The information is to be accessible through the internet.  The Commission discussed if and how the database that LIAA is working on might be able to be put into hard copy.

V.         Boat Launch on Lake Michigan

 

Mike Meriwether and Janet Person indicated they have some generic plans that were given to them by Voss Guntzviller for a boat launch on Lake Michigan.  The Commission discussed a variety of places that could possibly be made into a more formal boat launch site on Lake Michigan.

 

Motion by Linda Gallagher, supported by Al Pecar that a sub-committee of Stan, Jerry, Mike and Linda, inventory potential boat launch sites on Lake Michigan and report back at the June 23, 2005 meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.

VI.        Other Matters

 

·         Barnes Park

Ms. Gallagher inquired about why there is not a sign for Barnes Park on U.S. 31. Ms. Wallick indicated that MDOT regulations require a sign to be so far back from the actual roadway.  It wasn’t worth putting on US 31.

 

Jerome Dobrzelewski will check to see what it will cost to get a regular sign or one of the blue information signs, offered to businesses by MDOT, along side US 31 for both Barnes Park and Elk Rapids Day Park.

 

The Commission discussed the possibility of a Petoskey Stone Festival at Barnes Park.

 

·         Wetzel Lake Park

Janet Person and Pete Garwood updated the Commission on where the negotiations are with the State DNR on leasing the property.

 

·         Elk Rapids Day Park Sign

The Commission members passed around photos of the new sign for the Elk Rapids Day Park.

IX.        Communications

 

None.

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

The next meeting will be

Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.