Parkview
Hills Clubhouse
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.