Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council
Thursday, 08 November 2007
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 7:00p.m.

II.   Roll Call
a. Sign-In Roster

Council Members Present: Frank Wolf, Bob Nagler, Mark Hoffman, Tom Edmonds, Steve Kohler, Duane Hampton, Bill Steinmann, Paul MacNellis, Tim Holysz
Guests Present: Cari DeLong (Council Coordinator)

III.           Adoption of Agenda
  Tom Edmonds moved to approve the 08 November 2007.  Bob Nagler seconded. All in favor. None opposed.

IV.             Approval of 11 October 2007 Meeting Minutes
Tom Edmonds moved to approve the 11 October 2007 meeting minutes. Duane Hampton seconded. All in favor. None opposed

V.          Old Business
a. Discussion of Consulting Firms
        Paul MacNellis

Motion: Paul MacNellis proposed a motion to hire Larry Harris & Assoc. to design the Parkview entrance next to Little Asylum Lake and the spillway between the lakes.  He proposed to hire Site Design Solutions to re-design the Winchell entrance. Both firms will be asked to produce plans, budgets, and bid documents.  Tom Edmonds moved to approve the motion. Frank Wolf seconded. All in favor. None opposed.

Motion: Tom Edmonds proposed a motion to form an executive committee that would deal directly with both of the firms and provide effective communication to the Council. Paul MacNellis, Tim Holysz and Mark Hoffman were voted to the executive committee. A fourth or fifth member could be added to be chosen by Paul. All in favor. None opposed.


Paul began the discussion by giving summaries of the two consulting firms. 

Due to the overlap of the conversations, Tom explained what the trails committee had been working on. He handed out a summary of their meeting notes. The committee would like each Council member to recommend key points in the property. They will email a survey for members to bring to their constituents.  Once key areas are recognized then a trail system can be designed to cater to these points. From there, emergency and handicap access trails can be determined. The committee discussed potentially closing some trails due to erosion issues and redundancy of trails. Also talked about possibly seasonally closing some trails to protect wildlife.

The trails committee listed 3 priority projects that they would like to be considered for development. They identified the Parkview entrance next to Little Asylum Lake due to the dangerous nature of the parking and degradation of the area. They would like to restrict this entrance to pedestrian traffic only.  The Winchell entrance was considered because of its disrepair and walking hazards. The spillway between Asylum and Little Asylum Lakes needs consideration due to its deteriorating condition and necessity as the main emergency access trail to the north part of the property.

Due to the similar outstanding reputations of both firms and the difficulty of choosing one firm, Paul proposed a motion to hire Larry Harris & Assoc. to design the Parkview entrance next to Little Asylum Lake and the spillway between the lakes.  He proposed to hire Site Design Solutions to re-design the Winchell entrance. Both firms will be asked to produce plans, budgets, and bid documents, but will not be asked to complete the actual construction of the projects. Compensation would be provided for their work.

It was discussed that by hiring both firms to work on separate projects, the Council will be able to get a better feel for both as far as their interaction with the Council, end products, and costs. Larry Harris & Assoc. was chosen to design the Parkview entrance next to L.A. and the spillway since they had designed the proposed walkway along L.A. for the city, which would provide continuity with the Parkview entrance there. Site Design Solutions was chosen for the Winchell entrance since this single project will likely require more design consideration and has unique issues.  

Bob raised concern as to re-designing the Winchell entrance in a protected manner and in keeping with the rustic feel, while still preventing bicycles and motor vehicles from entering. He has talked with many people who frequent this entrance and they agree.   


It was agreed that the consulting companies should be given guidelines as to our governing and conservation documents as well as expectations and financial limits. Designs should be in keeping with the philosophy and feel of the preserve.

Tom raised concern with letting the KCF Asylum Lake balance accrue. It will attract attention especially in a time when the city doesn’t have money. The Council needs to improve the property and enhance its use for the community in order to assure its longevity.

 

Bill raised concern with hiring two different design companies. Council would be spending extra money getting both equal firms towards our goals. Product may not be harmonious.


Duane proposed to pay both firms to do the same project in order to get direct comparison. Avoid two different stylistic designs. They would be competing. 


Paul responded. Both of their styles are different. Ultimately the end product will be what the Council wants from them.

 

Mark suggested that the Council notify Dr. Nassaney when construction begins on the Winchell entrance since it may be of historical significance. Paul agreed that the Council will consider the archeological impact of any changes made to the property. This is included in the management plans.

 

Tom Edmonds moved to approve the motion. Frank Wolf seconded.  All in favor. None opposed. The motion to hire these firms for the projects was passed.

Tom Edmonds proposed a motion to form an executive committee that would deal directly with both of the firms and provide effective communication to the Council. Paul, Tim and Mark were voted to the executive committee. A fourth or fifth member could be added to be chosen by Paul. All in favor. None opposed.

 

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

Cari handed out copies of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation quarterly report and explained it to the Council.  

VII.         Project/Special Committee Reports
a. Research/Education Committee
     BIOS 3010 Ecology Lab

     Cari gave a summary. Dr. Malcolm’s Ecology lab was held during an afternoon in the Asylum Lake prairie. There were 15 students and 1 TA.  They were studying the interactions of a Goldenrod parasite. They set up 6 quadrants measuring 6m by 6m and removed all of the goldenrod stems infected with the parasite as well as 20 un-infected plants.  These samples were taken back to the lab for analysis. This lab was approved by the R&E committee.

ANTH 5000 Historical Archeology
Cari gave a summary. This Historical Archeology class was composed of 20-25 students led by Dr. Nassaney. The purpose was to observe and discuss the archeological artifacts throughout the Asylum Lake Preserve. The class dispersed from the trails to look at artifacts but did not disturb them. This class was approved by the R&E committee.

Shelter Building Class
Cari gave a summary. Sam Cooper, the coordinator for the Gibbs House filled out the application to hold a Shelter Building Workshop sponsored by the Gibbs House. During the workshop she proposed 5-15 people including instructors would be on the property learning survival skills including how to build a shelter. They would be composing the shelter out of sticks and leaves found on the ground. As a test of how well the shelter was sealed they wanted to build a small fire within the shelter.  The R&E committee approved this application excluding the fire building, since this is not permitted by the Declaration of Conservation Restrictions document.

b. Operations Committee
 Nothing new to report.

c. PR Subcommittee
Nothing new to report.

d. Trails Subcommittee
      Discussed under “Old Business”

VIII.     Public Comments

None.

IX.            Council/Staff Comments

Tim passed out a maintenance fund quarterly report. WMU has spent $4748 of maintenance costs up to this point for the fiscal year. During months of July, Aug., and Sept. mowing of trails was held back for the trails committee. Final mowing was last week. From now on costs will include trash and snow removal. There is enough money to last through to June. In May another $12,000 will be transferred into the account.

 

Mark spoke on behalf of ALPA. He reminded the Council that ALPA still has financial assistance for a memorial structure in honor of the Pierceys. It is the desire of ALPA to keep this issue active. They have not decided on a feature - still open to ideas.

 

 

X.      Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:12p.m.