Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Regular MeetingRoyal Oak, MI · January 8, 2025
Minutes
Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
January 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
M/M Senior Center
3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Present: Sarah Kindinger
Melanie Macey
Brigitta Burguess
Tony Rennpage
Ryan Danescu
Perry Abbey
Ian McKinney
Absent: Sue Wells
Hannah Holliday
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution Number: Motion to move Item 6c to before Item 5 and approve
Agenda with this change.
Moved by: Ryan Danescu
Seconded by: Perry Abbey
Motion Adopted
3. Approval of Minutes
Resolution Number: Motion to approve the Minutes of the December 5,
2024 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Moved by: Ryan Danescu
Seconded by: Brigitta Burguess
Motion Adopted
4. Public Comment
1
Mark Sacket from Royal Oak Leprechauns spoke about Barrier Netting Project.
5. Reports
5.a City Commissioner Report
Commissioner Macey reported that she has received questions about
swimming and Community Center Feasibility Study.
5.b Staff Report
Nicole McEachern presented the following Staff Updates:
RECREATION UPDATES
Administration
1. Winter program registration opened December 3.
2. A survey is included in the Winter Insight to gather feedback from
the community on Parks and Recreation experiences. Survey
closes January 31.
3. We are currently recruiting for a Preschool Aide.
Professional Development
1. McEachern and Elana Bordine are registered to attend the
Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks) Conference in
March. McEachern will be facilitating two sessions at the
conference.
Programming
1. Adult Softball League fall season concluded.
2. Volleyball league is underway at Salter Center and will end in
January.
3. Tax Appointments start scheduling January 6.
4. We are in the process of scheduling field usage for 2025.
5. Art Fair planning with the Art Council has begun. Tentative dates
are July 12-13.
PARK/FACILITIES UPDATES
1. CDBG funded project at Clawson Park Project is still on track for
March-June 2025 construction.
2. CDBG funded Lockman Park project is completed. Some areas are
blocked for turf remediation.
3. McEachern met with Jordan Zuppke to learn more about skate
parks.
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6. Business Items
6.a Board Officer Election - Chair
Resolution Number: Motion to nominate Sarah Kindinger as Chair of
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Moved by: Melanie Macey
Seconded by: Brigitta Burguess
Motion Adopted
6.b Board Officer Election - Vice-Chair
Resolution Number: Motion to nominate Ryan Danescu as Vice-Chair
of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Moved by: Melanie Macey
Seconded by: Perry Abbey
Motion Adopted
6.c New Board Member Welcome – Ian McKenney
Ian McKinney introduced himself as 10 year resident and frequent park
visitor.
6.d Board Member Orientation
No action required. Presented for information purposes only.
7. Items Not on the Agenda
The Board discussed the Memorial Park Barrier Netting Project.
8. Upcoming Events
9. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
10. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 6, 2025
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Agenda
Agenda
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
M/M Senior Center
3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at 248-246-3050 at least two (2)
business days prior to the meeting.
Pages
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes 3
4. Public Comment
5. Reports
a. City Commissioner Report
b. Staff Report
6. Business Items
a. Board Officer Election - Chair
Recommended motion:
I move to nominate [Name] as Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board.
b. Board Officer Election - Vice-Chair
Recommended motion:
I move to nominate [Name] as Vice-Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board.
c. New Board Member Welcome – Ian McKenney
d. Board Member Orientation
Resources (Click links to access materials online):
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Bylaws
• Open Meetings Act Handbook
• Robert's Rules Cheat Sheet
7. Items Not on the Agenda
8. Upcoming Events
9. Adjournment
10. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Page 2 of 6
Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
December 5, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
M/M Senior Center
3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Present: Sarah Kindinger
Melanie Macey
Brigitta Burguess
Sue Wells
Hannah Holliday
Ryan Danescu
Perry Abbey
Absent: Tony Rennpage
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution Number: Recommended Motion: Motion to approve the Agenda
of the December 5, 2024 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Moved by: Melanie Macey
Seconded by: Brigitta Burguess
Motion Adopted
3. Approval of Minutes
Resolution Number: Recommended Motion: Motion to approve the Minutes
of the November 7, 2024 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Moved by: Hannah Holliday
Seconded by: Ryan Danescu
Motion Adopted
4. Public Comment
1
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Robert Houston: Spoke about open rec swimming and lap swimming; Would like
the city to restart the swimming lessons and open swim programs with a
contractor potentially.
Emily McImmy: Also in support of the city restarting the swim lessons program.
Jay Anderson: Spoke about Art Fair.
5. Reports
5.a City Commissioner Report
Commissioner Macey explained the City is not renewing its contract with
Normandy Oaks Hives. She also explained the city's involvement in the
Battle of the Buildings program. Lockman Park is now open, and the new
City Manager begins on January 6, 2025.
5.b Staff Report
Nicole McEachern shared the following updates:
RECREATION UPDATES
Administration
1. Winter program registration opened December 3.
2. A survey is included in the Winter Insight to gather feedback
from the community on Parks and Recreation experiences.
Survey closes January 31.
3. We are currently recruiting for a Preschool Aide.
Professional Development
1. McEachern and Elana Bordine are registered to attend the
Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks)
Conference in March. McEachern will be facilitating two
sessions at the conference.
Programming
1. Adult Softball League fall season concluded.
2. Volleyball league is underway at Salter Center and will end in
January.
3. Tax Appointments start scheduling January 6.
4. We are in the process of scheduling field usage for 2025.
5. Art Fair planning with the Art Council has begun. Tentative dates
are July 12-13.
PARK/FACILITIES UPDATES
2
Page 4 of 6
1. CDBG funded project at Clawson Park Project is still on track
for March-June 2025 construction.
2. CDBG funded Lockman Park project is completed. Some areas
are blocked for turf remediation.
3. McEachern met with Jordan Zuppke to learn more about skate
parks.
6. Business Items
6.a Royal Oak Golf Center Fee Adjustment Request
Resolution Number: Recommended Motion: Motion to approve
proposed fee changes as presented.
Moved by: Perry Abbey
Seconded by: Ryan Danescu
Motion Adopted
6.b Royal Oak Nature Society Accomplishment Report 2023-24
6.c Royal Oak Golf Course 2025 Rate Increase Request
Moved by: Perry Abbey
Seconded by: Hannah Holliday
Motion Adopted
6.d Introduction to Recreation Team Composition
6.e FY 25-30 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Commissioner Macey voted no on this item.
Resolution Number: Motion to approve the FY 25-30 CIP
Moved by: Perry Abbey
Seconded by: Sue Wells
Motion Adopted
7. Items Not on the Agenda
The board had additional discussion on aquatics programs. Staff shared the
decision making process for pausing the programs due to safety concerns and
staff capacity limitations.
8. Upcoming Events
9. Adjournment
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Page 5 of 6
Adjourned at 9:37 pm.
Moved by: Perry Abbey
Seconded by: Sue Wells
Motion Adopted
10. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
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