Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council
Thursday, 14 February 2008
7:00p.m.
Parkview Hills Clubhouse
3707 Greenleaf Circle

The recorded comments below are expressions of council members
 and are not approved policy until voted on. The statements
were not recorded verbatim and cannot be used as quotes.

AGENDA:

I.       Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:12p.m.

II.   Roll Call
a. Sign-In Roster

Council Members Present: Paul MacNellis, Ann Paulson, Mark Hoffman, Bob Nagler, Tyler Bassett, Steve Kohler, Duane Hampton, Tim Holysz
Guests Present: Cari DeLong (Council Coordinator), Philip Micklin, Cal Mastin (alt. for ALPA), Kay Chase (alt. for KEC), Elizabeth Buening

III.           Adoption of Agenda
Cari DeLong requested the presentation of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation report be added to New Business.

IV.             Approval of 08 November 2008 Meeting Minutes
Mark Hoffman moved to approve the 08 November 2008 meeting minutes. Bob Nagler seconded. All in favor. None opposed

V.          Old Business
a. Water Quality Report – Presentation during March ALPMC Meeting
        Paul MacNellis

Mark Kieser was unable to make it tonight but will be presenting the final Kieser & Associates water quality report at the March ALPMC meeting. Paul has not received the report yet.

 

VI.            New Business
a.   Kalamazoo Community Foundation Report
         Cari DeLong

Cari handed out copies of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation quarterly report and went over the details with the Council.  

VII.         Project/Special Committee Reports
a. Research/Education Committee
     Cari DeLong

§  Cari reported that there were no new research and education applications submitted since our last council meeting.

§  Kay Chase requested that the council be notified of applications along with the Research & Education Committee when they are received in case there are any interests.  It was agreed that Cari will do this from now on.

b. Operations Committee
 Nothing new to report.

c. PR Subcommittee; Signage
Cari DeLong

Cari passed out a summary of the activities of the PR subcommittee.  They have met with Bill Deming of Portage Parks and Recreation to talk about signage and trails. They have identified types of signs needed as well as a general template for the information on each sign.  Waiting on the trails committee to determine the final trail system.

d. Trails Subcommittee; Trails Survey
Tom Edmonds

§  Cari reported that the trials committee has had several meetings and met with Bill Deming of the Portage Parks and Recreation Department. The committee is now waiting on responses from the Council to the questionnaire in regards to the places of interest at the preserve. Once these areas are identified the trails committee can proceed with designing the trail system.

§  Cal reported that ALPA had requested that there be one handicap accessible trail.

§  Philip added that the trails committee may seek professional advice for the trail design after questionnaire responses are in. Paul suggested that the trail committee come to the Council with this as a proposal.

§  Tim advised that the committee may want to wait for the results of the consulting firm proposals. They may have ideas to incorporate into the trail design.

§  Bob recommended that the signs not dominate the natural environment.  They should be kept primarily to entrances.

§  It was decided the deadline for the questionnaire responses will be April.   Cari will send a reminder email.

e. Monitoring Subcommittee; WMU Classes, Baseline Study
Cari DeLong, Tyler Bassett

§  Cari handed out a summary of the updates from working with the monitoring committee. Cari has developed a 100x100m grid in GIS to cover the property to be used for natural inventory purposes. The corners of each 100x100m block could be permanently marked with metal t-posts to aid in ecological surveys. The committee decided that due to the scope of developing and completing a comprehensive monitoring program it would be best to hire a consulting company to provide a baseline inventory and WMU classes could supplement it with studies geared toward ecological interactions. The summary included a list of the classes that had committed to ecology-based labs at the property. This list included Dr. Kohler’s Freshwater Ecology class offered every other fall.  His class will be able to replicate Kieser’s water quality assessment as well as add several biological measurements.

§  Due to his expertise and involvement in the committee, Tyler was asked to prepare a proposal for a comprehensive natural assessment of the terrestrial habitats of Asylum Lake.   

§  Tyler Bassett works at Native Connections and introduced his draft comprehensive natural features inventory proposal for the terrestrial habitats at Asylum Lake. He explained that his proposal would include gathering and comparing all historical ecologically relevant data.  He would provide a natural features inventory of the terrestrial habitats including the wetlands, establish long term vegetation monitoring plots, and an invasive plant species monitoring plan.

§  Tyler would be interested in having an intern student help with the project in keeping with university involvement.

§  Paul noted that on behalf of the University he is anxious to begin this study since it is necessary to perform before we begin any management strategies.

§  Bob brought up concern as to the storage of equipment on the property. Tyler responded that any equipment he needed would be stored in his truck.

§  There was concern as to the installation of permanent grid markers to aid in classroom and consulting firm ecological surveys. It was suggested that these points be marked electronically using GPS technology.   

§  Tyler’s schedule includes working until April to develop a detailed proposal, implement baseline studies from April to October and then write a monitoring program and final report.  

§  Duane suggested that the monitoring committee review Tyler’s proposal when he has developed details and then come to Council with recommendation. There was general agreement.

  

f. Construction Subcommittee; Consulting Company Proposal
Paul MacNellis

§  A summary of the consulting company proposals for each of the three construction projects was passed out. Paul reported that the proposals were received from Site Design Solutions for the re-design of Winchell Avenue Entrance and Larry Harris & Assoc for the re-design of the spillway between Asylum and Little Asylum Lake as well as the southeast pedestrian entry. Included in each of their proposals was the scope of work, documents to be provided and fees included. 

§  According to Paul the prices were very reasonable and their proposals were comprehensive. Construction committee still needs to look them over and approve. Paul would like to take monies out of KCF fund and place in a physical plant fund and cost center. The total for all projects is about $15,000. He would like to ask for $20,000 in case there is more work or a change in the scope of a project.  If there is extra money left over once the projects are completed the Council can decide what to do with it.  This would avoid going to the KCF multiple times. There were no objections to this. Paul will go to VP Rinker and ask for the money from KCF.


VIII.     Public Comments

None.

IX.            Council/Staff Comments

§  Tyler announced a Wild Ones meeting scheduled for Feb. 27th at 7:30pm at Disciples of Christ Church on Winchell Ave.

§  Mark Hoffman asked whether animal control was still active on the property during the winter. Paul responded that he had left it up to animal control to decide their schedule and had not received a bill in awhile.  He will call to set up more patrol. 

 

 

 

X.      Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:19p.m.