Antrim County
Parks and Recreation Commission

June 25, 2003

Minutes

Members Present:

Jerome Dobrzelewski, Al Pecar, Jerry Basch, Russ Blasdell, Jim Ferguson, Al Luurtsema and Stan Moore

Members Absent:

Mark Stone, Mike Meriwether, and Mike Crawford

Staff Present:

Howard Yamaguchi

Others Present:

None

I.          Call to Order

Al Luurtsema called the meeting to order at 1:12 p.m.

II.         Approval of the Minutes of the May 22, 2003, Meeting

Corrections to minutes: Item 3, second paragraph – delete cost estimates; add recruit volunteers, and samples from Health Department.

Motion by Jerome Dobrzelewski, supported by Allen Pecar, to approve the minutes, with corrections, of the May 22, 2003 meeting.  Passed - unanimous.

III.        Parks Budget

Jim Ferguson noted that the Committee needed a list of goals before setting a budget and they will need to talk with all Parks groups.  He also felt the need to look at long-term goal setting, then consider immediate needs, then set next year’s budget.  Jim commented that he had attended the County Lands, Agriculture and Forestry Committee as well as the Parks Committee meetings and indicated that possibly the Parks and Recreation Commission would be more effective if it were to include the GRNA, ACNA, etc. instead of just being advisory.  Howard explained the Parks Committee reaction and their instruction on how to hold the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings.  Discussion took place regarding the role of the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as goal-setting exercise.

Jim Ferguson will present the proposed budget at the Parks Committee meeting on July 3.

Howard will mail Parks and Recreation Commission statute to members.  It was agreed that someone from the Parks and Recreation Commission will be at the Parks Committee meetings to deliver updates. 

IV.        Elk Rapids Day Park

Jerry Basch commented that he has visited the Elk Rapids Day Park and feels that the Park Manager has done a great job and this is truly a unique park.  The repairs to the pavilion are completed.  Discussion on weaknesses or problems: poison ivy, perimeter fence needs repair, sign is overgrown with vegetation, need signage directing people to the park, playground equipment is a liability, bathhouse needs a coat of paint inside.  Jerry Dobrzelewski will check with the Road Commission to put up a park sign on Bayshore Drive.

V.         Elk Rapids Day Park Sub- Committee Meeting

No meeting took place as only three people showed up.

VI.        Wetzel Lake Update

Allen Pecar briefed the Commission on summer use at Wetzel Lake.  He indicated that Roger Anger (Sexton for Mancelona Township) counts 25 to 30 people visiting Wetzel Lake every time he goes there.  Russ Blasdell commented that folks have used it for eons, they have no conception of what this Commission is trying to do, they just go and use it. 

The Antrim Conservation District dove the lake, took underwater photos.  Should we ask the Antrim County Road Commission to pull up pylons?  A porta-potty has been set at the area.  Roger Anger and his crew will clean the area.  Trash receptacles were discussed with mixed reactions.  If trash receptacles are not placed, people will most likely truck their own trash.  If they are placed, we could have people dumping household trash. 

Howard informed the group that the entire access road to Wetzel Lake park up to the waterline is under the jurisdiction of the Antrim County Road Commission (ACRC).  Major road work can be done with ACRC but we have to request it through Mancelona Township.

The Antrim Conservation District will follow-up on policing the area.

 VII.      Goal-setting Meeting

Howard will schedule the goal-setting meeting for July 24 at 9:00 a.m.  This Commission would like input from the GRNA, ACNA, as well as Park Manager and any other park group.

 VIII.     New Business

Recreation Areas:  Jerry Dobrzelewski feels there is a lack of recreation areas in the County.  Day parks are not that expensive and we should consider more of these.  Discussion on possible sites.  Sand Lake was one possibility but it was noted that this was taken over by the DNR.  There is a possibility that the DNR may want municipalities to take over.

DNR:  It was suggested that we send correspondence thanking Ms. Joyce Angel-Ling and the DNR for Wetzel Lake Park and to let them know Antrim County is interested in day parks.

IX.        Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Next Mtg – Goal-Setting Meeting:
Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 9:00 a.m.