The regular meeting of the Board of Park Trustees of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, May 3, 2006 in their office located at 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan.
Present: Commissioner Charles E. Monaweck, Chairperson
Commissioner Chester E. Travis, Vice-Chairperson
Commissioner Veramay, Member
Dennis A. Randolph, Managing Director
Joanna I. Johnson, Assistant Managing Director
Pixie Coats, Human Resource Director
Kevin Henning, Finance Director
Also Present: Thomas Frank, Albion Township Supervisor
Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor
Jim Demarest, Emmett Township Supervisor
Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident
Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident
Walt Gamble, Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Productions
Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission
Steve Ball, Calhoun County Road Commission
Annette Chapman, Calhoun County Parks & Recreation Director
Chairperson Monaweck called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m. He stated that there being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of April 5, 2006 they stand approved as printed and distributed.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Received a memo from Annette Chapman requesting approval of Rush's Forest Products bid for the removal of timber in Kimball Pines Park
Received a memo from Annette Chapman requesting approval of Trout Unlimited proposed stream improvement project for Dickinson Creek-Historic Bridge Park
Received a memo from Annette Chapman regarding preliminary construction cost estimates for Kimball Pines access road to the campgrounds.
NEW BUSINESS
Moved by Commissioner Travis and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the Rush's Forest Products bid for the removal of timber in Kimball Pines Park. Voice vote: Motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Travis to approve the Trout Unlimited proposed stream improvement project for Dickinson Creek-Historic Bridge Park. Voice vote: Motion carried.
MANAGING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mr. Randolph stated that he received some good news on the casino. The environmental documents are in Washington. In addition, Kimball Pines Park really looks good and everyone should take a look at how it is coming along.
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S PRESENTATION
Mrs. Chapman provided the Board with a couple of different options regarding the entrance road into Kimball Pines and down to the campground.
Option #1 - Enter from Michigan Avenue and cross the park and then down to the campground. Option #1 is a couple thousand dollars less expensive than option #2
Option #2 - Enter from Michigan Avenue continue all the way down the boundary to the campground.
Mrs. Chapman asked the Board which direction they would like her to take.
Mr. Randolph commented that Option #1, will get the project started; however he would like to reserve Option # 2 for the future. Mr. Randolph also stated that by going with Option #1, it addresses the concerns of the citizens.
Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Travis to accept staff recommendation for Option #1. Voice vote: Motion carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mrs. Chapman provided the Board with the following information:
- Mrs. Chapman stated that she and Mr. Gamble from Silver Leaf have met with the County Health Department and the Township Plumbing Inspector on the bathroom improvements.
- The County Administrator called regarding an article on our Parks. The article is completed and will be included in a publication on Calhoun County.
- The Albion Trailway Committee has requested coordinating a bike route that would join Albion and Homer. Albion is working on a river trail this summer and Homer has their Trailway system. They wanted to know if we would be interested in working with them to develop a bike route that would join Albion and Homer. We would need to do an estimate for the work and they would provide the funds. They would like to know what this Board thinks of the idea.
Commissioner Monaweck stated that he thought it would be a big plus to join the two cities. He also thought it was nice to be recognized to assist in this sort of development.
Mr. Randolph stated that he thought it would work right into the County Trailway and Tourism Plan.
Mrs. Chapman stated that she was contacted by "Big Brothers/Big Sisters" to have a table at their rally on May 13 th .
CITIZEN'S COMMENTS
Mr. Berezonsky said that he noticed the traffic on B Drive North has increased quite a bit and would like to suggest that the bikes ride single file. Mr. Randolph thought this was a good idea and maybe we should put up some signage.
Mrs. Chapman said that bikers are supposed to follow bike rules, which is to ride in single file.
Mr. Berezonsky asked what the County is being paid for Silver Leaf to use our park. Mrs. Chapman said that the County would receive 2 ½ % of the gross.
Mr. Demarest stated that Emmett Township continues to enjoy the good relationship they have with Mrs. Chapman and the Park system. Mr. Demarest commented that the design of the bike path on Wattles Road is beautiful, but in a couple areas it has some drainage issues that he considers a safety problem. Mrs. Chapman stated that the work is not finished on Wattles Road and the contractor will be coming back to address the drainage issues.
Chairperson Monaweck announced that the next regular meeting of the Board of Park Trustees is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2006 immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Calhoun County Board of Road Commission meeting. There being no additional business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
