Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Melinda Lautner at 3:07 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Lautner.

Transcription

1 Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Session Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 3:00 p.m. Leelanau County Government Center, Suttons Bay, Michigan Tentative Minutes Meeting Recorded Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Melinda Lautner at 3:07 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Lautner. Roll Call: Melinda Lautner, Chairman Dave Barrons, Vice-Chairman Clayton Ball Steve Christensen Bob Johnson, arrived at 3:17 p.m. Casey Noonan John Popa Kyle Trevas Ty Wessell Todd Yeomans, absent/excused Public Comment: Approval of Agenda and Late Additions/Deletions: Commission Chairman Lautner said she has an addition from the Glen Lake Women s Club regarding a flag-raising on July 4th; item added under the Old Settler s Park Committee discussion/ recommendations. Motion by Christensen to approve the agenda as modified. Seconded by Trevas. Discussion Ayes 8 (Lautner, Barrons, Ball, Christensen, Noonan, Popa, Trevas, Wessell. No 0 Absent 2 (Johnson, Yeomans) Financial Reports: Deferred. Action Items Kids Fishing Day, Veronica Valley Park: Pete Taylor was present to discuss Kids Fishing Day, which is held annually at the Veronica Valley Park pond. DNR Fisheries Biologist Heather Hettinger was also present and passed out paperwork regarding prices and information on the fish ordered. Hettinger advised that fish food is increasing in price, accounting for the additional prices. Hettinger said this included a

2 discount given from this source of the fish. She added that she had looked into two other suppliers, but the source she picked still is the best. Hettinger described the types of fish included this year, where they will be placed and the management of those fish, including that a survey that was conducted in 2012, which will be done again this year, to also include the other ponds. Discussion ensued about the history and the costs. It was noted there was a correction in the costs, which was an error in the typing. Bob Johnson arrived. Discussion ensued as to sending a thank you note to the supplier, and how satisfied they have been with this source. Discussion went on as to who would be handling the Kids Fishing Day at the park and the future changes that are occurring in the water. Notably that muskrats and the current are affecting the water. Discussion followed as to the muskrat problem and if trapping was a solution. It was noted that Johnson was updated by Hettinger on the paperwork and the information she passed out. More clarification as to costs was given, as well as the length of time Hettinger has been involved in the project, and how many years the Annual Kids Fishing Day has been held. Trevas requested that this Commission ask Taylor about the safety issue and the grade they are considering with regard to the pond. Barrons then giving information on the options being considered at the Committee level to make the pond safer. Hettinger offered information about what she found while in the pond also. Popa and Hettinger decided to meet to look at the wall in the pond before planting. It was decided that the fish would be planted shortly before fish day. Taylor asked for a contribution from the Parks and Recreation of $ with the information provided, and also requested that someone be hired to trim the weeds and remove them from the pond. He advised that the Kids Fishing Day/Planning Committee can no longer keep handling the weeds in the water, and is in need of help. Discussion ensued about the costs of weed removal from the pond, which needs to be done twice a year, when it would be done and the procedure to hire someone. Motion by Christensen to purchase 2,000 fish from Laggis Fish Farm, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $3,933.00, and pay a second invoice for additional fish that we will receive from the Lake Leelanau Lake Association, at a cost not to exceed $ Seconded by Trevas. Discussion ensued as to the procedure and timing of the purchase. Motion by Christensen to approve the hiring of Brian Both for cutting weed overgrowth in the Veronica Valley pond, at a cost not to exceed $ per cutting, with the anticipation of completing twice this season. Seconded by Noonan. Discussion ensued as to who will get the bill. Commission Chairman Lautner also expressed concern that the person doing the weed-cutting also carries liability insurance. It was decided 2

3 that Christensen and Taylor would discuss this and also confer with Executive Assistant Laurel Evans. Discussion ensued as to weed disposal and timing of the cutting. It was decided that a coordinated effort would be needed to include Maintenance Worker Scott Bradley. Christensen acknowledged the volunteers, and all the time and effort put in; it should be duly noted. He also advised that we have lost our member to the Kids Fishing Day Committee and asks for a volunteer from this group. Barrons volunteered to be on the Planning Committee for that group, also committing to meet twice a year. Coordination would also include Hettinger. Discussion ensued regarding the last meeting of the Fish Committee, and the fact that they wanted a booth during the Kids Fishing Day event. The booth would be for information on what the Committee does for the park, and information about the park. If not done this year, it may be a consideration for the future. Also discussed were the vests donated by Cherryland Electric to identify volunteers working during the Fishing Day event. Ball asked about feeding the fish after they are planted. Hettinger said they do not need to be fed to stay alive all summer. She noted there is no harm in feeding them, but it is unnecessary and expensive. Hettinger also said the DNR will be checking age and growth samples compared to the State average. She will give the Parks and Recreation Commission a copy of the results. Discussion ensued as to the cost of fish food, and the rate fish would eat it. Committee Reports and Recommendations Myles Kimmerly Park Committee: Wessell said the Park s Conceptual Plan is included in today s paperwork, noting the Committee walked the park last week. The Committee would like to move forward on having someone give an estimate on repair of the tennis courts, and when that is done, they could bring the estimate to the next Commission meeting on the costs. Also considered was going forward with fencing along the east border of the park, which separates next-door neighbor Fred Noonan s house from the park. There are dog issues where the disc golfers bring their dogs and are not always on a leash. Motion by Christensen to contact Hentco and one other company to have them look at the tennis courts and give a recommendation on repair or replacement. Seconded by Noonan. Discussion none. Motion by Christensen to go forward with fencing along the East side of Myles Kimmerly Park and have Maintenance Worker Scott Bradley contact Perfect Fence to get an idea of the cost involved. Seconded by Noonan. Discussion ensued with the conclusion that trees did not make it into the recommendations at the last meeting. 3

4 Wessell noted that they had talked about having Kay Charter of Saving Birds Thru Habitat come out to conduct a survey and give some advice. He doesn t feel a motion is needed; they will just invite her to do that. Wessell also proposed a date for the next Committee meeting to walk through the park for June 7 at 3:00 p.m. Noonan said he notices a proposed suggestion for a dog park close to a horse corral, and he is not sure that is a good idea. Trevas said when the Committee walked the park, the practicality of that was discussed. Discussion ensued that even a fenced-in dog park would be a concern. This subject will be considered again in the plan. Old Settlers Park Committee: Commission Chairman Lautner said the Committee met with Landscape Architect Lori Lyman who did the landscape design for the park, with changes after the public input. They also walked the park to get a better idea of what they do or don t want to do. Lyman is going to redo a plan after the changes have been decided on. Christensen said the Commission would meet, led by the Old Settlers Committee, to firm up what they think to finalize the Conceptual Plan. It was decided that the Committee should meet one more time to finalize what they want to recommend to the Commission. Christensen advised that he was impressed with how Lyman had taken out a sketch pad, made drawings to pull together their thoughts while keeping the integrity of the grub shack. He believes progress is being made. Commission Chairman Lautner read from paperwork submitted by the Glen Lake Women s Club regarding a request for the gazebo to be reserved for their flag-raising on July 4 th. Discussion ensued with the conclusion the gazebo could not be reserved, and no exception would be made. The Women s Club would be encouraged to arrive early to save it for their group. Lautner advised she would contact the Women s Club with the Commission s decision on their request. Discussion also ensued as to what flags are flown and how they are displayed. Veronica Valley Park Steering Committee: Barrons said nothing needs action at this time. The muskrats and fill for the holes were discussed, and the fact that they were addressed earlier in the meeting today. Christensen said Barrons should contact Bradley to see what the past practice has been to alleviate the muskrat problem and what the current damage is. Discussion also ensued about trapping. Barrons noted the Committee has recommended to remove the fence at the park. He said adjacent property owner Ron Plamondon would like the fence taken down that borders his land because of all the deer being in that area. It was noted that the fence is in very poor condition. Christensen said the Committee should actually go to the park to see the fence and take Bradley along. This needs to be researched before a decision can be made on the Committee side. Barrons said that seeding along with the US Fish and Wildlife should be done around the first week of June, but is still tentative because of weather. The seeder will save a step in that no tilling is needed. He also said that they will have some temporary signage up regarding the tree 4

5 enclosures to explain what it going on, and the kiosk needs to be cleaned up a bit, which Bradley is going to address. The brochure will be included in the kiosk. Christensen discussed the brochure, being included in the publication the Enterprise puts out. Discussion ensued about including the parks and information in the Visitor s Guide. Motion by Christensen to move forward in having the Enterprise include the Parks and Recreation brochure in the Summer Visitor s Guide Publication for 2017 at a cost not to exceed $ Seconded by Noonan. Discussion ensued as to timing and whether it has been printed yet. It was decided that if it was too late for 2017, they would put it in for Johnson and Commission Chairman Lautner noted the changes in the current brochure, and where they should be distributed. It was decided that as many as can be distributed around the County building, the Visitor Center, and kiosks should be done. Lautner also noted they should post it on the County s web site and will speak with Evans about this. Commission Bylaws: Discussion ensued with the fact that they have all gone over the bylaws repeatedly, and if there were any changes that have not been discussed. It was decided that more clarification was needed to determine the definition of the colored areas on the paperwork. Motion by Noonan to decide on the Bylaws at the next meeting. Seconded by Ball. No Discussion. Ayes 9 (Noonan, Popa, Trevas, Wessell, Barrons, Ball, Christensen, Lautner, Johnson) Public Comment: Commissioner Comments: Chairperson Comments: Adjournment: Motion by Trevas to adjourn. Seconded by Ball. Meeting adjourned to the call of the Chairman at 4:29 p.m. Kyle Roberts, Recording Secretary 5