WATERTOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
12803 S. Wacousta Rd.
Grand Ledge MI 48837
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday September 24, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Minutes
CALL TO ORDER-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present; Jack Huntoon, Dale Westrick, Deb Plichta, Troy Font and Janice Thelen Nancy Noyola arrived at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT- None
CORRESPONDENCE- Thelen provided requests for rental refunds from 2 people for reservation fees because they were rained out. According to the bylaws, the parks and rec board needs to make that decision. Thelen stated that it needs to be a new business item.
AGENDA APPROVAL- Thelen asked to add the refund of security deposit. Motion by Thelen, seconded by Huntoon to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Motion by Huntoon, seconded by Thelen to approve the minutes of July 14, 2008 as presented. Motion passed.
MONTHLY BUDGET REPORT- Report was provided.
1. Approval of the Five Year parks and Rec Plan- Thelen commented that the ad hoc committee for the Watertown Parkway land has been assigned the responsibility of planning something for that 125.5 acres. The ad hoc committee would like to see it maintained as a park/green space. Thelen stated that there is deer hunting going on at the property although it is illegal. The parks and rec committee agree with option 3 of the parks and rec plan that includes development of the entire site (Watertown Parkway) as a public park (which includes the term green space). Huntoon asked what is going to be done with the house. Westrick commented that Al-Ashari offered to buy the house and some of the land and he would give the township an easement north (along the highway). Huntoon feels the house should be torn down, get access to the property, make a nice parking lot, get a pail mower to cut some trails in it and call it good. Westrick feels that someone could buy the home, fix it up and then it would be back on the tax roll. Motion by Thelen, seconded by Huntoon to recommend to the Board of Trustees adoption of the Watertown Charter Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2008-2013 with the recommendation that the Watertown Parkway property be developed as public green space. Motion passed.
2. Discussion of the Halloween Party to be held October 25, 2008, Lunch With Santa to be held December 13, 2008 and the Holiday Light Contest-The committee decided to have the Halloween party on Saturday November 1st. They would like to have a treasure hunt. It was decided to have the party from 5-8 p.m. The menu will consist of hot dogs, popcorn, punch, and perhaps hot cider, brownies, etc. They would like to roast marshmallows around a contained fire and goody bags. Lunch With Santa will be December 13, 2008 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. It was decided that they would have pizza at Lunch With Santa this year. They will also have cookies to decorate as well as a goody bag. The holiday light contest will be cancelled this year
3. Discussion on the Arts and Crafts Tour-Thelen reported that the Board of Trustees advised not to have the arts and craft tour. The parks and rec committee wanted the people that had the home businesses such as Tupperware, make-up, etc to be able to participate. The Board stated that they could not use tax dollars to support someone else’s business. Huntoon mentioned they would probably have to fill out a liability form. Thelen stated that there was an attorney opinion stating that it would be illegal to use taxpayers’ dollars to advertise the businesses. Plichta stated that she already has several places that had pledged to be involved in the tour. It was decided to delay this event until next year. Motion by Thelen, seconded by Huntoon to dissolve the ad hoc committee for discussion of the holiday arts and craft tour. Motion passed.
4. Recommendation to the Board of Trustees to keep Heritage Park open year round-The Parks and Rec Board is looking at having Heritage Park open during the week for perhaps cross country skiers with minimum plowing being done-enough for a car to go down in and turn around, etc. Motion by Huntoon seconded by Thelen to recommend to the Board of Trustees to keep Heritage Park open year round during the week, plowing the driveway down to the park and creating a little parking area. Motion passed.
5. Discussion of future dog park location-Huntoon commented that he spoke with an Ingham County Animal Control officer who commented that she has never had so much trouble with Hawk Island with that dog park- people getting in fights, dogs getting in fights, etc. He feels that if that were to happen here, there would be no dog park. He does not want to see a dog park here. Westrick feels that a dog park is a great idea. Thelen stated that the current policy reads “that dogs and other pets may be permitted in parks and recreational areas provided that all dogs or other animals shall at all times be tethered to a leash or similar device no greater than 6 feet in length and under the immediate control of the responsible person and that all droppings be picked up and removed.” Thelen stated that is not enforced at all.
6. Member opinions of the Michigan Parks and Recreation publication-The members feel that this publication is a great source of information and would like to keep receiving it.
7. Refunds-There were 2 families that had Looking Glass Valley Park rented on the weekend in which the Township received several inches of rain. They were asking for their rental fee back. Thelen stated that there is no weather cause in the agreement. Westrick stated that these are long time residents and it is only $35.00 per rental. Thelen stated that when you rent the park, you have the rights to the pavilion, the volleyball field, ball diamonds, play equipment, etc. The committee would like to see something written up concerning a weather clause. Motion by Huntoon, seconded by Westrick to refund the rental amounts of $35.00 (each) to the Landes and Holberg families due to extreme weather. Motion passed with two no votes and three yes votes. Motion by Thelen, seconded by Font to refer to the Board of Trustees that the Parks and Recreation committee has requested that the registration application include wording that would discourage this activity of refunding rentals in the future-no fees returned due to inclement weather. Motion passed.
The committee will have another meeting before the Halloween party.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.