Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Formerly Parks, Rec and Senior Services)

City of Royal Oak PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Thursday, February 6, 2014 – 7:00 pm Mahany/Meininger Senior Center MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Stan Schaffer, Mike Ripinski, Rob Winter, Todd Menig, Alex Fike, Amanda Klein, Phil Smith, and City Commissioner Fournier ALSO PRESENT: Tod Gazetti Superintendent of Recreation, Greg Rassel Director of Public Service, Don Johnson City Manager, and Joe Spatafore Director of Golf Operations. MEMBERS EXCUSED: None Chairperson Menig called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Schaffer, seconded by Ripinski to approve the January 9, 2014 minutes. Motion passed unanimously. City Commission Comments: Commissioner Fournier commented, for the city to be able to implement portions of all of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the city would have to look at three options; general fund, a millage, or divesting of city assets. Public Comment: Twelve people spoke out against the city selling or divesting any of the city’s assets. One person spoke in favor of a millage and stated it was time for residents to stand up if they want an improved park system and one person was leaning toward the possibility of selling Normandy Oaks if the city guaranteed all monies would go back into the parks. Business: Strategic Planning Review a. Closing of Normandy Oaks Golf Course – City Manager Johnson gave an overview of how the city got to the point of possibly closing Normandy Oaks Golf Course. The city’s operator has continued to lose money for the past five years, revenues are down, each course has to be separately staffed so wages are twice as much as one 18 hole course. After much discussion the following recommendation was put forth as a motion by Schaffer seconded by Ripinski: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommends the City of Royal Oak keep Normandy Oaks Golf Course open for the upcoming season and that staff investigate and possibly re-negotiate some type of monetary relief to the  golf course operator in form of the equipment buy back program, rent, or water. 5 YES 3 ABSTAIN 1 ABSENT b. Park Utilization Survey – The consensus from the Board was that more surveys and data gathering should be done at different times throughout the year so as to receive a better overall picture of park utilization. C Priority List for Park Improvements – This report was handed out at the January meeting, there was no further discussion or action taken at this time. Informational Items: None Items not on the Agenda: a. Grand Slam Lease – Staff is continuing to negotiate a five-year contract with Phil Roy, owner of Grand Slam batting cages. The thirty-day out clause the city wants to add to the contract is a sticking point at this time. Staff will continue to update the Board at the monthly meetings. Upcoming Events: No announcements Next Meeting – March 6, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m. @ Mahany/Meininger Senior Center Motion by Fike and seconded by Fournier to adjourn at 9:08 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Tod Gazetti Rob Winter Tod Gazetti, Supt. of Recreation Rob Winter, Secretary