Regular Meeting

2/16/2011 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

Agenda (click to view or hide)

Minutes (click to view or hide)

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GARFIELD
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

February 16, 2011

Call Meeting to Order: Vice Chairman Bill Scott called the meeting to order at approximately 4:00pm at the Kid's Creek Park Kohl's Trailhead.

Roll Call of Commission Members:
Present: Bill Scott, Linda McGuire, Brian Belcher, Tiffany Wever

Absent and Excused: Russ Clark

Staff Present: Brian VanDenBrand

Also present were Ben Purdy and Robin Christensen from the Grand Traverse Conservation District.

1. Review and Approval of the Agenda - Conflict of Interest
No conflict of interest was noted. McGuire moved and Belcher seconded to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

2. Walking Tour - Kid's Creek Park
Ben Purdy and Robin Christensen led a walking tour of Kid's Creek Park to point out invasive buckthorn that would be targeted for removal if grant money is available through the Conservation District. Commissioners stated that the scope of removal could be quite drastic, and that one of the great features of the park is that park users are so shielded from the surrounding developments. Ben and Robin stated that a cutting and replanting strategy could be developed to help minimize the effect of completely opening up the park, perhaps starting on the outer limits of the park and working in towards the center over time. The Parks and Recreation Commission remained supportive of the project.

3. Recess - Travel to Garfield Township Hall
The meeting was recessed at approximately 4:35pm. The meeting reconvened at the Township Hall at approximately 4:45pm.

4. Minutes - January 13, 2010
Acting Chairman Scott asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. McGuire noted an extra "McGuire" on the end of a paragraph on the second page of the January 13th minutes. Following the correction, McGuire moved THAT the minutes be approved. Belcher seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

5. Business to Come Before the Commission

VanDenBrand noted that Karen Schmidt was present to discuss the Commons Barns Area, but that the students were not yet present to discuss the Commons Educational signage project. The Commission determined to discuss report PD-2011-18 while waiting for the students to arrive to discuss PD-2011-17.

a. PD-2011-18 Commons Barns Area - MNRTF Grant Application
Karen Schmidt of the Botanical Gardens Society presented a proposed grant application to the DNR for a development grant for the Grand Traverse Commons Barns Area. The Joint Recreational Authority owns the property but is not eligible to apply for Trust Fund money. The Township is being requested to apply for the Trust Fund grant on behalf of the Joint Recreational Authority and Botanical Gardens Society.

Karen explained the three components to the $500,000.00 grant application. The first component is a bike path along Silver Lake Road between Copper Ridge Road (on the Copper Ridge Development) and Franke Road. The second component is the development of an interpretive center where the former granary building currently exists. The third component is the development of the picnic grove. Karen stated that the capital campaign has already generated enough money to fully match the 25% minimum match requirement, and the Township is not being asked to contribute financially to the project.

VanDenBrand said that development grant applications are due April 1st, and seeing how far Karen has developed this application that he would support the Township identifying the Barns grant as the priority grant for the 2011 MNRTF application cycle.

McGuire then moved THAT Township Staff be directed to work with the Botanical Gardens Society, Joint Recreational Authority, and other stakeholders to prepare a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant application for land development within the Grand Traverse Barns Area, and further;
THAT the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that a development application for the Grand Traverse Commons Barns Area be authorized by the Garfield Township Board as the priority application for the 2011 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund year.

Wever seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

b. PD 2011-17 Commons Natural Area - Educational Signage Project
Chris McKellar, Natalie Wright, and Trevor Painter presented a proposed educational signage project for the Commons Natural Area. The group was requesting approval to use about $200.00 of the Commons budget to purchase materials necessary to install numbered trail markers at certain locations along the trail, and for printing and lamination costs for brochures to explain each of the points.

The Parks and Recreation Commission expressed support for the project, and discussed what would be appropriate as far as the brochures go. It was the consensus of the Commission that the 20 laminated brochures should be located within one of the businesses in the Village (rather than at the trailhead), and then returned to that business following use. Businesses will be approached with an opportunity to sponsor the project, and could have their logo included on the informational materials if contributing to printing costs.

The Commission discussed how the information could be made available online, including brochure downloads and smartphone-friendly links that could be viewed by trail users.

Belcher then moved THAT the Parks and Recreation Commission approve the proposed project and that Staff be directed to work with the group and the Conservation District to finalize the project details and implementation.

Belcher requested that the group come back to the Parks and Recreation Commission in 6 months for an update on the project.

6. Review Status of Ongoing Projects
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the status of ongoing projects.

Ben Purdy updated the Commission about current management issues at the parks. Most management activities were routine. A bathroom vanity was dumped at the Silver Lake Recreation Area but has been removed. Ben said that the Conservation District has begun preparing the forest management plan for the Grand Traverse Commons.

Vice Chairman Scott said that Maria Taplin and a number of interested stakeholders would be meeting on February 24th at the Conservation District's Nature Center to discuss the Buffalo Ridge Trail.

7. Public Comment
None.

8. Items for Next Agenda - March 10, 2011
a. Review Status of Current Projects
b. Trail Maintenance
c. Parks and Recreation Plan
d. Review Commons Barns Area Grant Application

9. Adjourn
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:20 PM.

_________________________
Linda McGuire, Secretary
Garfield Township Parks and Recreation Commission
3848 Veterans Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684