PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 - 7:00 PM
NOVI CIVIC CENTER - COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM with Commissioner Dooley presiding.

ROLL CALL: Blair (Absent), Dooley (Present), Iszler (Absent), Jewell (Present), Policicchio (Present), Staab (Present), Wingfield (Present), Kerbrat (Present) Raina (Present).

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

It was moved by Commissioner Policicchio and seconded by Commissioner Wingfield to approve the Agenda as written.

Voice Vote Unanimous

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Approval of May 13, 2010 meeting minutes

A motion was made by Commissioner Policicchio that the May 13, 2010 minutes be approved as written. It was seconded by Commissioner Wingfield.

Voice Vote Unanimous

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Walkable Novi - Commissioners Iszler & Policicchio
Commissioner Iszler stated that at part of their meeting this evening Mark Spencer and Andrew Mutch gave a recap of the Oakland Trail Advisory Committee tour. The tour looked at trail systems in West Bloomfield, Commerce, Milford Township and Milford Village. Mark Spencer gave an update on the Master Plan RFP submittals. They have eight bids and will make a recommendation to City Council.
Commissioner Policicchio stated that how other communities have expanded their pathways and bikeways is by a groundswell of citizen enthusiasm. Citizens in Novi who are truly interested in having a pathway and trailway system will have to step forward and get involved in pushing it as a City priority.
Commissioner Dooley asked how someone would get involved.
Commissioner Policicchio stated that it all comes down to organization so there is a need for a person or persons to step forward and start organizing the community.
Commissioner Iszler added that the Walkable Novi Committee meets at 6:00p.m. before the Novi Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. There is also an audience participation part of the meeting.
Novi Park Foundation - Commissioners Dooley & Staab
Commissioner Staab stated that on May 22^nd he, Commissioner Dooley, Councilperson Justin Fischer, Park Foundation member Kim Capello and Park Foundation member Randy Balconi were at ITC Community Sports Park and served over one thousand hot dogs to soccer and baseball participants and their families. There was a lot of good name or brand recognition. The Red Olive was our sponsor. He also wanted to thank staff members of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for their assistance. He especially wanted to thank Theresa McClure. There were many positive comments about the field conditions despite the wet weather.
Commissioner Dooley reminded everyone about the annual Novi Parks Foundation Golf Outing on August 5^th. Reservations can be made on the Novi Parks Foundation website. They are taking registrations for foursomes and are looking for and looking for sponsors.

STAFF REPORTS:

Administration Division - Randy Auler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Director Auler stated he was going to discuss some of the highlights of the memo he distributed.
The 2007 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Land Acquisition component is on schedule to have that acquisition complete by June 30^th which is the deadline for that grant. That amendment was approved by City Council on May 3^rd and we will have the closing done by June 30^th. That will add 16 acres of woodland and wetlands to the parks system. It is contiguous to property identified as the Singh Trail and Southwest Core Reserve near Nine Mile and Napier Road.
The target for having all of the park entry signs completed and installed is
June 30^th. There may be a slight delay on a few of the signs. All of the signs will then be completed for the parks as well as the Ice Arena and Meadowbrook Commons, and will include the replacement of the old sign on the exterior of the building at the ice arena.
Thank you for the first round of the evaluations of the Park Maintenance Standards. It has been very helpful and you can review the numbers and comments. The new assignments are out and are due June 18^th. We appreciate the time the Commissioners spend on these reviews. Two of the parks scored low and it is important to know that those parks lack amenities and the turf conditions if you don’t irrigation the turf will always be in that condition. So most parks will continue to score low in those areas but this is the type of tool that not only helps the daily operations in maintenance and planning, programming, but also helps with capital improvement planning.
At the last City Council meeting Oakland County Parks came and provided a 10 minute presentation about what Oakland County offers, the value they provide to Oakland County and as a reminder they have a renewal millage up that is very important to the operation of that park system.
We have had some encroachment on parkland that I have made you aware of, we have resolved almost all of those issues. One of which was a 14 year issue where there was actually a split-rail fence that was enclosing City property and now parkland, and that has been resolved as well as some of the others.
An update on Capital Improvement projects, beginning to gear up for Phase 2 of Fuerst Park, identifying components and getting project out to bid as well as the resurfacing of the sport courts at ITC and Rotary Parks.
We are hosting our first national tournament this year, the last 13 or 14 years it’s the ASA 18 U fast pitch tournament, it will draw teams from all over the Midwest to our facility. It is a 5 day tournament, it is running while the Foundation Golf outing is going on so the Foundation will have very limited support as it will be all hands on deck to pull off the softball. August 4^th is the opening ceremony at the Novi High School football field and social with the planning continuing for this event.
Regarding the Strategic Plan, still continue to provide talking points for Commissioners to utilize while out in community, so we have provided some of those points in the packet for your use.
Director Auler asked for questions.
A Commissioner (unidentified) asked if volunteers were needed for the tournament. Director Auler said volunteers will be needed and will let the Commission know when details have been completed.
Regarding the Park Maintenance Standards an inaudible question was asked and Director noted that a 90% overall score would be what we are striving for.
Point of clarification is the softball tournament will run from August 4^th to August 8^th.
Student Representative Kerbrat asked if more experienced volunteers would be needed or could the volunteers be high school students.
Director Auler said high school students could be utilized.
Commissioner Wingfield asked if the tournament would be onsite and what the numbers would be.
Director Auler stated the tournament would be hosted in Novi, the 6 fields at Power Park, possibly the high school varsity field, and then ITC all depending on the numbers.
Commissioner Dooley asked for a synopsis of what Phase 2 would be for those who possibly would not be familiar.
Director Auler stated it would include walkway lighting, additional seating and tables, planting of native wildflowers, as well as the current out to bid formal garden area that is being funded by the Park Foundation, and an additional sculpture.
Recreation Division - Nancy Cowan, Superintendent of Recreation
Superintendent Cowan is highlighting events which have taken place.
Memorial Day - May 31^st estimated at least 3,000 people took in parade excluding participants. Fantastic event. Thank you to Rachel Zagaroli and Wendy Duvall.
River Day at Rotary Day had over 100 participants to assist with clean up, mulching, etc.
Lakeshore Beach opened on Memorial Day.
Upcoming - wet spring/summer - DPS & crews have been working so we can keep up the games. This Saturday marks the end of soccer season. Parking at ITC this weekend may be tight due to all of the activities taking place.
Adult softball is going well, along with fall soccer registrations coming in.
Summer camp Lakeshore and others are a little low in registrations this year with a trend of late registrations being expected next week.
Sizzling Summer Art Series kicked off last week and will take place June - Sept. at Fuerst Park. All are completely free events. June 16^th will be the first time to use the portable movie screen.
Staff busy for Fall/Winter sessions.

MATTERS FOR COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION:

Parks and Recreation Month - July 2010 Proclamation
The US Congress has designated July at Parks & Recreation month. All across the country departments make citizens aware of what is available through Parks & Recreation. Generally the Mayor and City Council proclaim this as Parks & Recreation month. This year we thought it would be a nice touch if the Park Commission did the same thing. So what you have is a proclamation to declare July as Parks & Recreation month in Novi.
Commissioner Dooley asked if this information would be distributed to various media, of which Director Auler stated that after the proclamation has been signed a press release will be sent to various media outlets.
Commissioner Dooley asked if there any discussion?

It was moved by Commissioner Policicchio and seconded by Commissioner Iszler to approve the Proclamation as written.

Voice Vote Unanimous

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Commission Jewell suggested that putting something in the high school office on volunteering could help recruit volunteers for that. Also, all the events at Fuerst Park are great but how many people actually attend? Superintendent Cowan stated it depends on weather conditions so totals could vary from 100 to 4 to 500.

Student Representative Kerbrat asked if we were still giving out trophies or medals for soccer. Ms. Cowan stated they are giving out season medals this year. She also suggested promoting volunteering at the high school as students need to acquire volunteer hours.

Commissioner Staab thanked Commissioner Blair for his contributions for the last three years of service to the Commission, and a reminder that the Park Foundation Golf Outing is August 5^th.

Commissioner Blair expressed his appreciation for being on the Commission and look forward to doing the same in the education field over the next several years.

Commissioner Wingfield suggested that the tournament might use participants in the adult softball leagues for scorekeepers, sight directors, etc. Also, thank you Mr. Blair for his contribution.

Commissioner Dooley commended the Parks Department for their contribution especially during the very wet conditions at ITC. He thanked the department for having the fields in good condition for players in Novi and the surrounding communities. Also, thanked Commissioner Blair for his participation in the Commission in three years.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Dooley at 7:31 pm

DATE APPROVED:

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Jay Dooley, Chairperson

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Paul Policicchio, Vice Chairperson