OSCEOLA COUNTY PARKS COMMISSION                

October 11, 2007

 

Morris Langworthy, Chairman called the meeting of the Osceola County Parks Commission to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Present:                      Elmo Hoaglund, Morris Langworthy, Jr., Don Lewis, Jerry Powell, Alan Tiedt, Ron Thompson and Tom VanEpps.

Absent:                        Mark Brock, Rich Jacobs and Jim Maturen.

Park Personnel:          Jim Wolfe, Julie Homan, Managers: Richard & Merry Cook, Don & Judy Emerson, Ilene Fatum, Loren & Diana Irwin.

Others:                        Rose Lake Employees and Crittenden Employees.

 

Pledge to the Flag was given.

 

Additions and Deletions to the Agenda.   Motion by Tom VanEpps, supported by Alan Tiedt to approve the agenda as corrected.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

 

Approval of Prior Minutes.  Motion by Alan Tiedt, supported by Don Lewis to approve the minutes of July 19, 2007 as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT:  Julie Homan gave the following financial report.  Park balances as of September 30, 2007 were as follows: Revenues - $228,690.39, Expenditures - $199,547.81, Citizens Bank Balances - $121,059.23, and cash on hand with the County Treasurer office of $18,852.37.

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:  Jim Wolfe reported on the following items:

 

Park Reservations - Rose Lake and Crittenden parks will be accepting camping and pavilion reservations effective January 1, 2008 for the 2008 season.  Discussion continued on the subject as follows:  a mailing to be completed to the campers with the new date and new managers of the parks prior to January, 2008; a question arose regarding why campers could not reserve a site they would like a year in advance and discussion followed regarding the lottery system currently in place at Osceola County Parks and having no way of knowing which sites would be available until after the lottery drawing in September; and a few drawbacks were discussed regarding the one on one contact with the campers, the size of the rigs to the lot dimensions and the campers not being happy with the office selection of sites. 

 

The dates for the 2008 season of opening and closing the parks are May 9, 2008 until September 28, 2008.

 

Park Employee Issues – Discussion of the evaluations of park personnel and employee issues was reviewed.  

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT:  Chairman Alan Tiedt gave the following Finance Committee reports:

 

August 7, 2007 Finance Committee report:

Motion by Tom Van Epps, supported by Elmo Hoaglund to approve all payment of claims totaling $4,457.97 for the parks since July 17, 2007 to present.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Elmo Hoaglund, motion carried.

 

September 4, 2007 Finance Committee report:

Motion by Elmo Hoaglund, supported by Tom Van Epps to approve the purchase of an air compressor from TSC for $794.38.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.

 

 

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Motion by Elmo Hoaglund, supported by Tom Van Epps to approve the purchase of topsoil with the price not to exceed $200.00.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Jerry Powell, motion carried.

 

Motion by Elmo Hoaglund, supported by Tom Van Epps to remove sites 13 to 24 from Crittenden seasonal sites listing.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.

 

Motion by Tom Van Epps, supported by Elmo Hoaglund to approve all payment of claims totaling $5,760.14 for the parks since August 14, 2007 to present.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.

 

October 2, 2007 Finance Committee report:

Recommendation by Tom Van Epps supported by Elmo Hoaglund to approve the repair to the Ford Tractor with cost not to exceed $1,200.00 to Burnips Tractor in Big Rapids.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.  Discussion regarding the work to be completed and whether it would be better to sell/trade the old tractor in on a new/used tractor with fewer problems.

 

Motion by Tom Van Epps, supported by Elmo Hoaglund to approve all payment of claims totaling $6,932.20 for the parks since September 4, 2007 to present.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Elmo Hoaglund, motion carried.

 

Motion by Tom Van Epps, supported by Elmo Hoaglund to approve Budget Amendment # 4 for $2,200.00 and Budget Amendment # 5 for $2,600.00.  The motion was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.  The Board would like copies of future Budget Amendments prior to approval.

 

Recommendation by Tom Van Epps supported by Elmo Hoaglund to submit the 2008 Parks Budget with changes.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Chairman Tiedt moved for its adoption, no second was given. 

 

The Parks Director presented revisions to the Osceola County Parks Budget for 2008.  The Parks Director asked for the Rose Lake and Crittenden Park Manager positions to be given a step increase to the 2nd level and a step increase for the Assistant Manager at Rose Lake if he returns to the position.  Questions and comments were made regarding the fund balance, capitol projects, Rose Lake Electrical Upgrade, and the 5 Year Plan versus the budget and the need for improvement in the 5 Year Plan. 

 

Motion by Jerry Powell, supported by Don Lewis to approve the 2008 Osceola County Parks Budget with changes.  The motion was unanimously supported. 

 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: 

Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund gave the following Personnel Committee reports:

 

October 2, 2007 Personnel Committee report:

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund, supported by Don Lewis for the Parks Director to complete a monthly evaluation of all Park Managers for future years and to use the current evaluation form with an additional paragraph for their overall performance rating to the current evaluation.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, seconded by Alan Tiedt, motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund supported by Don Lewis to not accept the evaluation of the Rose Lake Manager given by Jim Wolfe.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, no second made and discussion followed.

 

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The Board heard comments from Finance Committee Chairman Alan Tiedt in regards to the Rose Lake Manager position.  Alan would like to see all managers attend the committee meetings due to the need for questions and/or answers to the managers be given/received at the time of the meeting.  Chairman

Langworthy commented on communications and chain of command is a good thing to develop at the committee meetings.  The Personnel Committee should make a recommendation to make all committee meetings mandatory for Park Managers to attend.   This recommendation will be addressed later in the meeting under the New Business Park Evaluations  - Managers.

 

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund supported by Don Lewis to accept the evaluation of the Crittenden Park Manager given by Jim Wolfe.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund supported by Don Lewis to accept the evaluation of the Sunrise Park Manager given by Jim Wolfe.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, seconded by Alan Tiedt, motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund supported by Don Lewis to accept the hiring of Richard Cook to the 2008 Rose Lake Park Manager position.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, seconded by Ron Thompson, motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Elmo Hoaglund supported by Don Lewis to accept the hiring of Loren Irwin to the 2008 Crittenden Park Manager position.  The recommendation was unanimously supported.  Vice Chairman Elmo Hoaglund moved for its adoption, seconded by Don Lewis, motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Sunrise Lake Lease:  The Lease and changes made to the DNR’s final lease were reviewed.  The board reviewed the revisions to the lease with discussion regarding the length of time Sunrise Lake Park has been with the Osceola County Parks.  The long-term lease, which is a groundbreaking lease for the State of Michigan, would be a reasonable lease with the changes the board has to make and if the parks do nothing, it costs nothing.  Many campers enjoy the Sunrise Lake sites and over time development of the park could be very beneficial to the Osceola County Parks. The need to hire a lawyer to review the changes to the lease prior to the next meeting and prior to submitting to the DNR office was discussed.  Motion by Elmo Hoaglund, supported by Don Lewis to seek legal council regarding the Sunrise Lake Park Lease and changes made by the Parks Commission.  Motion carried.  

 

Rose Lake Electrical Upgrade:  Discussion regarding the need for a State of Michigan Campground Construction Permit being submitted, the slowness of the state to process this permit and how it will take another couple of months to receive the permit and construction may not be completed until next year.

 

Work Comp CMI Loss Prevention Service Visit:  Discussion regarding the letter received June 18th regarding the Michigan Association of Counties Workers Compensation Fund CMI Loss Prevention Service Visit on June 11, 2007 to the county parks and the need for a response.  Discussion followed regarding MIOSHA, MSDS sheets for all hazardous cleaning products being obtained, tag out procedures, the purchase of AED equipment and a response to the letter to BJ Larson not being sent in a timely manner by the Parks Director.

 

Maintenance of Parks:  Discussion of concern by the Parks Board with the Parks Director addressing the problems of maintenance of wells, vehicles, machinery and buildings at the parks.  Jim Wolfe reported the plans for the parks are completed as well as written procedures for these items are done.

 

Small Claims:  The board reviewed the two claims and the amount still owed by the claims.

 

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5-Year Plan:  The board would like to table this until the following meeting and to ask that the Finance Committee refer a realistic listing for 2008 requirements for improvement to the parks.  The discussion then turned to application for grant money for the use in some of the improvements the board would like to make.  Dan Massy could be a source of expertise in applying for grants that are available.                                   

 

AED Equipment with training:  Jim Wolfe to look into grant money to purchase this equipment.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Park Position and EEOC Requirements:  This was referred to the Personnel Committee for review and to make the proper procedures and guidelines for the hiring of park personnel.

 

Park Evaluations Managers - Rose Lake Manager:  Don Emerson was asked if he would like his evaluation to be completed using the closed meeting act and advised him that he could go into closed session at any time during his evaluation.  Don stated he was ok to review the evaluation with the public.  A 15-minute recess was given to obtain copies of the two evaluations completed by the Parks Director for review. 

 

With two members of the Personnel Committee present the evaluation was discussed regarding why the Rose Lake Park Manager evaluation was not approved by the Personnel Committee.  The Personnel Committee members reviewed their findings with the first evaluation done by the Parks Director and stated the evaluation did not correspond with the comments made by the Parks Director.  The committee members stated many reasons for the decision to not approve the evaluation and felt the Parks Director did not mark the Rose Lake Manager low enough in many areas.  The committee believes the Parks Director changed his markings to the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and not because he felt that the Rose Lake Manager did or did not do a professional job. 

 

The other Parks Commissioners were given an opportunity to speak regarding the evaluation and many comments were made with regards to the Rose Lake Manager not doing his job professionally.  The Parks Director stood by the results given to the Rose Lake Manager on the second evaluation and he also felt the Rose Lake Manager did do a OK job at the parks during the season. 

 

The Rose Lake Manager stated he was sorry for some of the problems that arose from incidents at the parks, he stated he did his job and he did it well.  He believes he was reprimanded for too many items for employee issues that were minor items of concern.  He also stated his resignation was done in July and he choose to stay until the park closed because he did not want to leave the park in a bad way. 

 

The Chairman expressed his gratitude for Don taking over the position coming from Sunrise Lake Manager when Rose Lake Park needed a manager, the great year Rose Lake Park has had, how Rose Lake Park is in good shape, the need for communications and support with the Commissioners, and wished Gods Speed to Don and Judy.  

 

Motion by Ron Thompson, supported by Alan Tiedt to approve the Rose Lake Park Managers Evaluation as written by the Parks Director.  Motion carried.  

 

Parks Director Evaluation: Discussion turned to the Personnel Committee for an evaluation of the Parks Director position; some Commissioners believe that the Parks Director is not doing his job, that the new Commissioners on the Parks Board are not getting a true picture of what is happening at the parks and therefore are not in a position to evaluate his performance at this time.  Tom VanEpps would like to see the Personnel Committee do a fact-finding mission regarding the Directors position and stated he will write a letter to the Personnel Committee stating his findings.

 

Motion by Tom VanEpps, supported by Jerry Powell to ask the Personnel Committee to do the evaluation on the Parks Director at the next meeting.  Motion carried.  

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PARK MANAGER COMMENTS:    

 

Rose Lake:  Don Emerson commented on how well Rose Lake Park operated the past year and gave an account of all the local campers that had camped at Rose Lake this past year.  

 

Crittenden:  Ilene Fatum expressed concerns of the loose ends that needed to be completed prior to her leaving as the Manager of Crittenden Park.  She expressed her gratitude for the help received by everyone involved with the park.  She asked if reservations are to be taken starting in January that correspondence is mailed to the campers explaining the changes.  She expressed the need for new roofs on the maintenance and office buildings at Crittenden Park.  She stated it was a very good year, she has enjoyed the work, it was fun but challenging and at times she stretched herself to the limit.  The Commissioners thanked her for her time at the park and expressed their regret in her choice to leave as manager.

 

Sunrise:  Richard Cook commented on the good season that was at Sunrise Lake Park and looks forward to managing Rose Lake Park next year.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Comments were received from several park employees and helpers. 

 

Loren Irwin, Assistant Crittenden Park Manager expressed his gratitude to Ilene Fatum and looks forward to next year as the manager of Crittenden Park.

 

Jenny Johnson, Rose Lake Bathroom Attendant looks forward to coming back next year.  She has been camping at Rose Lake for many years and felt the board needed to hear of the thoughts she expressed in her letters.

 

Shirley Arrants, Rose Lake Bathroom Attendant felt the restrooms are the cleanest they have been in years and expressed her good byes to Don and Judy Emerson.

 

Jerry & Marge Hortsman, Rose Lake Host & Hostess gave thanks for the great year and expressed that Rose Lake Park was the cleanest it has been in years.  Invited everyone to come out to the parks and stop by for coffee hour and Saturday mornings and look forward to another 4th of July event at Rose Lake.

 

Carl Muirs, Assistant Rose Lake Manager expressed the park had a great year, discussed the well being replaced, discussed funding that is not available for the park to operate efficiently, security at the park is an issue and the need for better lighting and a security person.

 

Motion by Alan Tiedt, supported by Elmo Hoaglund to adjourn at 9:37 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________

Julie Homan – Executive Secretary/Bookkeeper

Draft until approved at the next Osceola County Parks Commission Meeting