Eaton County Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes

Eaton County Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes

EATON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

May 3, 2017

The Eaton County Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session at Lincoln Brick Park, 13991 Tallman Road, Grand Ledge.

PRESENT: Terrance Augustine, Eric Deibel, Brian Droscha,Duane Eldred, Robert McConnell, Shane Powers, Neil Lacasse, Paul Deanand Barbara Rogers

ABSENT: Jerry Roe

GUESTS: Riley Spayde andGerry Goffin– Friends of Eaton County Parks

STAFF: Clay Summers-Director,Jackie Blanc-Naturalist/Operations Manager

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman McConnell called the Parks Commission meeting to order at6:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call.

2. INTRODUCTIONS/CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Chairman McConnell welcomed everyone to the meeting

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Summers indicated that the item of Beehive vandalism needed to be added to the evening’s agenda.

Motion by Rogers, second by Droscha to approve the agenda with the item Beehive vandalism added under New Business item a. Motion carried.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April2017 Minutes were reviewed.

Motion made by Rogers, second byDean to approve the minutes. Motion carried.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

6. FINANCIAL REPORTS

  1. The AprilMaster Voucher was distributed and reviewed.

Motion made by Rogers, second by Powersto approve payment of the April voucher.

Motion carried.

  1. The monthly financial report for Aprilwasreviewed. Motion made byPowers, second byRogerstoreceivethe Aprilreport. Motion carried.

7. OLD BUSINESS

A. Park Commission Roles and Responsibilities

Chairman McConnell gave a brief update on the status of this item. The feeling is that this is still a very important issue that will require attention in the near future. It was discussed that someone could facilitate a Park Commission strategic plan and could come from mParks at no additional cost to the parks budget as that would be part of the membership dues we already pay. It was also discussed that this issue should be addressed once the Crandell Park input sessions are completed and the report is received.

Motion made by Powers, second by Dean to recommend the Parks Commission set aside time (4-6) hours after the Crandell Park input is over for the purpose of developing a role statement and the initial stages of a strategic plan. Such a session would be assisted by a facilitator who would help guide the group in the completion of its task. Motion carried.

B. Crandell Park Public Input Update

An update was given for the good of the cause regarding the first two public input sessions. It was noted by Commissioner Lacasse that the amount of interest is great, but we need a youth movement. Discussion regarding some of the comments that have come out of the meetings continued that helped to generate conversation and ideas. Chairman McConnell noted that volunteers are going to be needed and it should be identified as to how they could support the park.

8. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Beehive Vandalism

Summers and Blanc updated the Parks Commission on the recent unfortunate events that took place on the site of Fox Park (old county landfill area) where we had a contract in place for a local apiary to house hives on our property. Police were called to the site by Parks Operations Manager/Naturalist, Blanc when she realized the fence chain had been cut and the hives had been stolen and vandalized. The issue is in the hands of ECPD, but Rusty Rhodes of Rhodes Farms has removed the remaining hives and cleaned up the vandalism. Parks staff will follow up with the Mr. Rhodes as the process plays out to see about reestablishing the hives and continuing the contract as first established.

  1. Other

None

9. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

  1. Recreation Specialist – Teddy Short: Absent, No Report Given
  2. Naturalist/Operations – Jackie Blanc: The Naturalist/Operations Report wasgiven in written form. Blanc gave a summary of the meetings she has attended recently, the projects that are ongoing in the parks division and the projected May maintenance goals.
  3. Director Report – Clay Summers: Summers gave a brief verbal report but much of the items were covered in the agenda.

The following communications were distributed: May 2017 BEDHD Community Highlights

10. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS REPORTS

  1. Friends of Eaton County Parks: No report
  2. Barry Eaton District Health Department: No report

11. LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT

None

12. OTHER BUSINESS

None

13. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

None

14. ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting is scheduled for June 7, 2017 at6:00 p.m. at Lincoln Brick Park, 13991 Tallman Road, Grand Ledge. There being no further business, the regular meeting was adjourned by Chairman McConnell at6:55p.m.

For the Commission,

Clay Summers, CPRP - Director of Eaton County Parks

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