PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION                                     AUGUST 15, 2005

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD                                                            PAGE 1

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                 Steve Wolfe, Vice-Chairman; Marty Drury, Chairman (arrived at 7:40 p.m.); Commissioners Doug Arrowsmith, Bette Nasholm, John Parks, Bob Schwartz, Bill Terian

 

ABSENT:                                          Bill Mazzara, Lewis Tripp

 

ALSO PRESENT:                           Dale Sylvester, Doug Klingensmith (arrived at 8:25 p.m.), Holly Brandt, Recording Secretary

 

 

Vice-Chairman Wolfe (conducted the entire meeting) called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

It was determined that a quorum was present.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES, JULY 18, 2005

Commissioner Schwartz noted several corrections to page 2 as follows: paragraph 3, changed ‘be’ to ‘been’; paragraph 4, changed ‘Milford Fire Association’ to’ Milford Firefighters Association’ and; paragraph 7, insert ‘felt’ after Mr. Green.

 

Commissioner Arrowsmith moved, Commissioner Parks seconded to approve the minutes of July 18, 2005 as amended.  Vote unanimously carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

 

Commissioner Terian, the most recent appointment to the Commission, was introduced.  He explained that he presently serves on the Milford Open Space Team (MOST), which has been working to establish criteria for the Township to use for possible future land purchases (named Land Acquisition Criteria Committee by the Township Board).  He said he is also involved with a group working to preserve the trail that runs between Kensington Metropark and Proud Lake State Recreation Area commonly referred to as the Chief Pontiac Trail.

 

The Commissioners, in turn, introduced themselves to Commissioner Terian.

 

The Sidney Waldon Parkway, also known as the Chief Pontiac Trail, which is now incorporated into Kensington Metropark, was discussed at length.

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION                                     AUGUST 15, 2005

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD                                                            PAGE 2

 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Mr. Dale Sylvester, FoMSP Representative, expressed concern regarding stipulations imposed upon them by the Chamber of Commerce for their water bottle sales during the recent Milford Memories Festival.  He felt that out of town fundraisers selling water bottles were given preferential treatment over their local fundraiser.  Vice-Chairman Wolfe responded that his issue should be directed to the Chamber.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

MILFORD RECREATIONAL TRAIL

Vice-Chairman Wolfe requested to table this issue until later in the meeting.

 

SKATE PARK

Vice-Chairman Wolfe requested to table this issue until later in the meeting.

 

TOWNSHIP P & R LOGO COMMITTEE

Mrs. Brandt reported that the logo and the fee to create it were both approved at the Township Board meeting of July 20, 2005.

 

Commissioner Arrowsmith noted that the compact disc that contained the logo was unusable.

 

The Commissioners discussed getting the logo printed on shirts, etc, for use at Parks & recreation sponsored and related events.

 

FUTURE TOWNSHIP PARKS

Land Acquisition Criteria Committee Liaison

Vice-Chairman Wolfe asked Commissioner Terian to serve as official liaison to the Land Acquisition Criteria Committee (LACC).  Commissioner Terian agreed.

 

DTE Property – Cooley Lake & Duck Lake Roads

Mrs. Brandt reported that Mr. Green, Township Supervisor, had not yet received a response.

 

ADOPT-A-ROAD (RCOC)

Mrs. Brandt reported on behalf of Commissioner Mazzara that the County has authorized the Parks & Recreation Commission to maintain the portion of Milford Road from the Village limit to the Township limit (Rowe Road) and they would soon be installing signage.  The RCOC also requested that cleanup extend into the Village if possible.  The Commissioners discussed establishing a cleanup schedule and a viable way to create and obtain a volunteer base for this and other projects.  It was determined that more information was needed about the County’s requirements.

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION                                     AUGUST 15, 2005

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD                                                            PAGE 3

 

COMMUNITY PICNIC UPDATE

Commissioner Parks reported that Village Parks & Recreation members Mr. Bill Serchak and Ms. Jennifer Davis, have volunteered to Co-Chair the joint event.  The date has been set for Saturday, October 15, 2005 at the pavilion in Central Park.  He said that a late afternoon picnic, which would include children’s games and possibly an outdoor movie are being considered, however an outdoor movie screen still needs to be purchased.

 

The Commissioners discussed various ideas for the event and Commissioner Parks noted that volunteers would be needed.

 

Commissioner Parks moved, Commissioner Arrowsmith seconded to host a picnic at the Central Park pavilion on Saturday, October 15, 2005.  Vote unanimously carried.

 

LABOR DAY 30K RUN

Mrs. Brandt reported that the Township Board, at their meeting of July 20, 2005, approved sponsorship in the amount of $1,000.00 and the Parks & Recreation logo to be used on the banner for the event. 

 

Commissioner Arrowsmith reported that arranging for volunteers for the event, considering the short notice has been a challenge.  The Commissioners again discussed how to find volunteers.  Commissioner Terian offered to contact area high schools for permission to post volunteer opportunities.

 

MILFORD RECREATIONAL TRAIL

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF)

Chairman Drury stated that the grant has been tentatively denied due to not enough local control over the trail.  However Mrs. Leah Groya, Township Grant Coordinator, will resubmit a grant application with focus on funds needed for installing the boardwalk on the north side of General Motors Road.

 

Naming of the Trail – Paul Baker Trail

Commissioner Schwartz explained that he has spoken with Mr. Chris Baker, Paul Baker’s son, who has given permission to name the trail after his father.  He said he would request that the Township issue a press release regarding the trail naming and also the family has agreed to attend a dedication ceremony.

 

Commissioner Schwartz moved, Commissioner Nasholm seconded to recommend to Township Board that the trail located between Dairy Queen and the Dam Bridge be named “Paul Baker Trail”.  Vote unanimously carried.

 

 

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION                                     AUGUST 15, 2005

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD                                                            PAGE 4

 

SKATE PARK

Chairman Drury reported that approximately 500 bottles of water were sold at the Milford Memories Festival.  He explained that confusion arose just prior to the start of the event regarding which organizations had been sanctioned to sell water and for what price.  He noted that the FoMSP would continue to sell the water at upcoming events such as the Labor Day 30k Race and the Homes Tour/Antique Car Show.

 

NEW BUSINESS

VILLAGE P & R UPDATE

There was no one present from the Village Parks & Recreation.

 

FoMSP SKATE EVENTS

Commissioner Nasholm presented a request from the FoMSP for the Parks & Recreation Commission to sponsor an open skateboard opportunity on Saturday, September 24, 2005 in Central Park and consider possibly sponsoring this type of event on an ongoing basis.  She said the group would provide manpower for the event and stated that the Village has already consented to the use of the park.

 

The Commissioners discussed various aspects of hosting such an event at length and felt that there would be an issue of liability insurance and if the Township’s policy would cover it or if an additional policy would need to be purchased.

 

Commissioner Nasholm moved, Commissioner Arrowsmith seconded to recommend to Township Board to sponsor the event on Saturday, September 24, 2005 and provide the proper insurance.  Vote unanimously carried.

 

The Commissioners agreed to request a schedule from the FoMSP dates for future events of this nature. 

 

The Commissioners discussed how having a banner with the logo would be helpful for sponsoring various events and Chairman Drury agreed to research sizes and costs of banners. 

 

The Commissioners discussed when and how the Parks & Recreation logo would be used and whether or not a written request to use the logo was necessary.  It was determined that Chairman Drury would discuss the logo use process with the Township Supervisor.

 

 

 

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION                                     AUGUST 15, 2005

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD                                                            PAGE 5

 

Mr. Doug Klingensmith, Director, Labor Day 30k Race, spoke briefly and thanked the Township for their $1,000.00 sponsorship.  He said approximately 260 runners participated in last year’s race and that this year’s registration is up from last year.   

 

COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS

Commissioner Parks stated that he had another conversation with Mr. Jeff Peterson, YMCA Director, regarding locating the skate park on their property.  After discussion it was decided to determine if the YMCA has enough property for a skate park and getting a written statement of interest from them.

 

Commissioner Schwartz felt that logo shirts should be worn when commissioners are volunteering in a Parks & Recreation capacity.

 

Commissioner Terian discussed and offered to contact area schools and churches for posting information on their websites.

 

Commissioner Arrowsmith asked the Commissioners to bring ideas for sharing information with the community to the next meeting.

 

Commissioner Nasholm asked Commissioner Terian to act as volunteer coordinator and he agreed.  She also noted the importance of documenting the total of volunteer hours worked for each event for grant purposes.

 

Chairman Drury moved, Commissioner Parks seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.  Vote unanimously carried.

 

Charter Township of Milford,

 

 

 

Lewis Tripp,

Secretary