The regular meeting of the Board of Park Trustees of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, January 3, 2007 in their office located at 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan.

Present: Commissioner Charles E. Monaweck, Chairperson
Commissioner Chester E. Travis, Vice-Chairperson
Commissioner Scott Brown, Member
Dennis Randolph, Managing Director
Joanna Johnson, Assistant Managing Director
Kevin Henning, Finance Director
Pixie Coats, Human Resource Director
Angela Kline, Assistant County Highway Engineer
Also Present: Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident
Joe Bramble, Convis Township Resident
Doug Chapman, Leroy Township Resident
Jim Russell, Sheridan Township Resident

Clerk Joanna Johnson called the regular meeting of the Board of Parks Trustees to order at 10:53 a.m.

Clerk Joanna Johnson requested nominations for Board Chairman. Moved by Commissioner Travis and supported by Commissioner Brown to appoint Commissioner Monaweck as Board Chairman. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Clerk Joanna Johnson requested nominations for Board Vice-Chairman. Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Brown to appoint Commissioner Travis as Board Vice-Chairman. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Clerk Joanna Johnson handed the meeting over to the Board Chairman, Commissioner Monaweck.

Commissioner Monaweck stated there being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of December 6, 2006 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

Mr. Randolph stated that Annette Chapman, Parks and Recreation Director, resigned her position. Mr. Randolph has set up a meeting with the County Administrator to get his feedback regarding the County Parks.

Mr. Randolph said the lights look nice at Bridge Park. Mr. Randolph commented that we are putting final touches on the Charlotte Highway Bridge.

CITIZEN’S TIME

Mr. Chapman stated that he thought the Parks are one area that the Road Commission has excelled in with the parks development. The Bridge Park is historic and one of a kind and he hopes that it continues to do so in the future. Mr. Chapman said that Mr. Randolph should be applauded for bringing Silver Leaf to Kimball Pines and to the community. He said that many people don’t know just how much revenue it has brought into the County. Mr. Chapman stated that he feels that the Ott Preserve is also another treasure in the County. Mr. Chapman said that he hopes that the growth of the Parks will continue.

Mr. Veramay stated that sitting on this Board he was responsible for merging the Parks with the Road Commission. Mr. Veramay said that the County gave us the Parks and then decided not to support them financially. Mr. Veramay said that it would be a shame to see these parks go back to the condition they were before the Road Commission took them over. Mr. Veramay said that he hopes this Board goes before the County Board and demands them to help support the Parks.

Mr. Bramble stated that the County Board would not even let the people decide on the Parks. He said the Road Commission gets no cooperation from them what so ever. Mr. Bramble said that the County professes to have a lot of knowledge of the Road Commission. Mr. Bramble stated that he put the County Board on the spot when he asked them how many Commissioners have ever attended a Road Commission meeting. He said that only two or three have ever been to a meeting. If they don’t know anything about the Road Commission, then they should admit it and stay out of their business.

Mr. Russell stated that the County will lose a lot if they don’t take care of the Parks.

Mrs. Johnson stated that we have accepted Annette Chapman’s resignation, however we want to thank her for her efforts in Parks.

Commissioner Travis stated that Annette Chapman did a very nice job and she did wonderful things for us.

Chairperson Monaweck announced that the next regular meeting of the Board of Park Trustees is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. following the 9:00 a.m. Board of Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun meeting. There being no additional business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:04 a.m.