The project is funded by a $50,000 donation from Leslie and Michael Morris. News of their gift had been announced nearly a year ago, at PAC’s June 21, 2011 meeting. At that meeting, Leslie Morris – a former Ward 2 city councilmember – had explained how the couple had played a role decades ago in creating the park at South University Avenue and Walnut. The dynamics of the neighborhood have changed, and the park is in need of an overhaul to serve the needs of current residents.

Terra-Firma, based in Ypsilanti Township, was the lowest of 10 bids received for the work. The budget includes a 10% construction contingency of $3,958 for a total project budget of $43,533. According to a staff memo, the work includes removing trees and shrubs that are overgrown and invasive; replacing the existing basketball court ,which is in poor shape and undersized; removing the bench and kiosk; and installing three new benches located on the park’s interior along a new concrete walk that bisects the park.

A picnic table, native flowering trees and shrubs will be added to the site. Because a large play area is located in the nearby Angell Elementary School, it’s felt that a play area in the park isn’t needed.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where PAC meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

A letter from representatives of the Earhart Knolls Homeowners Association, as well as several speakers at the meeting, argued that the park is a focal point for the neighborhood, and that the tennis courts play an important role for the community. They urged commissioners to recommend replacement of the courts, in the same location. [.pdf of Earhart Knolls letter]

The issue of the location of the new tennis courts will be the topic of a summer meeting between parks planning staff and neighbors. The initial inclination of city staff had been to move the location of the courts within the park  to an area with soil better suited for a tennis court base. Chair of PAC, Julie Grand, described the contacts they’d received from neighbors who wanted to see the location remain the same, “some of the most civil and well-researched communication we’ve ever received.”

Cost was a consideration. The resolution approved by PAC stipulates that the additional measures – drainage, installation of a honeycomb geogrid – to stabilize the base for the tennis courts could cost as much as 10-20% more than a standard tennis court.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where PAC meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

PAC is one of several Ann Arbor advisory groups that have been working with city staff to develop a focused set of sustainability goals, drawing from more than 200 existing goals in city planning documents. The project began more than a year ago, after the city received a $95,000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation to fund a formal sustainability project.

The grant funded the job of a sustainability associate, a position held by Jamie Kidwell, who’s been the point person for this effort. Originally the effort involved four advisory commissions: park, planning, energy and environmental. More recently, the city’s housing commission and housing and human services commission were added to the effort.

The goals are fairly general, and are grouped into four main categories: climate and energy; community; land use and access; and resource management. Four public forums were held earlier this year, with speakers and public input on each of those categories. [See Chronicle coverage: “Building a Sustainable Ann Arbor,” “Sustaining Ann Arbor’s Environmental Quality,” “Land Use, Transit Factor Into Sustainability,“ and "Final Forum: What Sustains Community?"] The city also maintains a website with information on the project.

If approved, the 16 sustainability goals would be fleshed out with more detailed objectives and action items.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where PAC meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

Benoit grew up in Kalamazoo and earned an undergraduate degree in urban studies & European studies from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she participated in a pilot farmers market on campus. After graduating, she spent a year in Ann Arbor, then moved to New York in 2010 to attend Fordham University. She received a masters degree in urban studies and completed a thesis on the role of seasons in local food education in New York City.

As Ann Arbor’s market manager, Benoit will oversee the operation of the Ann Arbor farmers market and work with the city’s public market advisory commission. She began work as market manager in the city of Ann Arbor last week.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where PAC meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The portion of the city budget relating to parks can be separated into two parts: (1) park operations; and (2) parks and recreation.

On Tuesday, PAC recommended approval of the FY 2013 parks operations budget, which includes the following proposed changes: (1) increasing the frequency of the mowing cycle from every 19 days to every 14 days; (2) increasing seasonal staffing between April 15–October 15 to maintain active recreation areas better; (3) establishing three seasonal park steward/supervisor positions to improve park maintenance and enforcement; and (4) increasing seasonal staffing at the ice arenas to improve facility cleanliness.

In a separate resolution, PAC recommended approval of the FY 2013 parks and recreation budget. The resolution commended parks staff for its work, and made several general recommendations: (1) reduce energy expense to reflect the benefit of infrastructure energy improvements at recreational facilities, including Cobblestone Farm and Mack Pool; (2) reduce materials and supplies used to maintain various facilities as a result of recent improvements; (3) reduce water usage expense to reflect actual usage better; (4) eliminate unnecessary software installations where appropriate; (5) increase revenue by initiating additional programming at the Argo Cascades; and (6) increasing revenue by increasing fees for admission to swimming pools.

Most of these changes have already been implemented, as part of the current year’s budget. Colin Smith, the city’s parks and rec manager, reminded commissioners that there will be no increase in budgeted expenses. These changes will be made within the budget plan that was discussed last year for FY 2013, when the FY 2012 budget was formally adopted. The city of Ann Arbor adopts budgets annually, but uses a two-year planning cycle.

This brief was filed from the second floor city council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron, where PAC holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Creatures in West Park will not be able to participate in the November millage vote, even though they apparently can get their ducks in a row. A parks millage that's up for renewal helped pay for some of the recent renovations to the park, including the boardwalk, bandshell plaza and entry stairs. (Photos by the writer.)

The park maintenance and capital improvements millage, a six-year tax, brings in about $5 million annually and accounts for about 45% of the parks budget – including the entire funding for the natural areas preservation (NAP) program. Voters will likely be asked to renew it at 1.1 mills from 2013-2018, assuming the city council votes to put the millage on the Nov. 6 ballot at that rate. PAC chair Julie Grand – who has served on a working group to strategize about the renewal – said concerns about the economic climate are a major reason why an increase isn’t being recommended.

During the millage discussion, city councilmember Mike Anglin said he supports the millage but has concerns about Fuller Park, noting that talks regarding Fuller Road Station aren’t over. Parks manager Colin Smith pointed out that no millage funds have been or would be spent on Fuller Road Station. Grand cautioned against connecting the millage renewal to Fuller Road Station, saying it’s important to inform the public clearly about what the renewal means.

To provide that information, the city plans to hold four public forums in April, and a public hearing on the millage will be scheduled for PAC’s April 17 meeting. The city also plans to launch a website in early April with more information about the millage.

Also at the March 20 meeting, commissioners got a mid-year update about the open space and parkland preservation millage, which funds the greenbelt program and park acquisitions. Fuller Road Station was a backdrop to this discussion too, when commissioner Gwen Nystuen asked about protections that are afforded land acquired through this millage.

Land acquisition also came up in two other contexts during the meeting. The future of property owned by MichCon – located north of Broadway Street, between the Huron River and the railroad tracks – was part of the discussion during an update on environmental cleanup at the site. A DTE Energy representative indicated that senior management sees the potential for redevelopment there, but no plans are finalized. It’s expected that DTE Energy, which owns the property through its MichCon subsidiary, will eventually sell the site.

And speaking during public commentary, Ann Arbor resident Larry Baird advocated for the city to acquire land to fill gaps in the Border-to-Border Trail, which roughly follows the Huron River. Specifically, he characterized a connection between Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area as the top priority, and urged the city to focus more on this project than on high-speed rail.

In the agenda’s one action item, commissioners recommended awarding a $79,980 contract to Michigan Recreational Construction Inc. to handle renovations at Placid Way Park. The resolution also recommends an additional 10% contingency of $7,998 for a total project cost of $87,978. The 1.32-acre neighborhood park is located on the city’s north side near the larger Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area and Foxfire South Park. The project would be funded from the park maintenance and capital improvements millage.

Park Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage

Commissioners were briefed on plans to put a renewal of the city’s park maintenance and capital improvements millage on the November ballot. The presentation was given by parks and recreation manager Colin Smith and Matt Warba, the city’s supervisor of field operations, and mirrored a similar one given to city councilmembers at their March 12 working session. The 1.1 mill renewal would run for six years, from 2013-2018.

Warba began by describing the history of what were originally two millages: one for capital improvements dating back to 1983, and a second one for maintenance. They were each levied at around 0.5 mill apiece for a total of 0.914 mills, until changes were made in 2006.

By way of additional background, here’s a timeline of the more recent millage history:

• 2006-Oct-03: The Ann Arbor city council passed a resolution setting administrative policy on the planned use of parks maintenance and capital improvements millage monies. The policy stipulates a range of 60-80% for maintenance, with the remainder for capital improvements. It also stipulates that general fund support for parks will decrease only in concert with the rest of the general fund budget. In addition, an annual 3% increase in funding for natural area preservation (NAP) programs was stipulated.
• 2006-Nov-07: Ann Arbor voters approved a single, combined parks maintenance and capital improvements millage with 56% support. It replaced two separate millages, which were previously levied at around 0.5 mill apiece for a total of 0.914 mills. The single millage that replaced the two separate taxes – one for maintenance and one for capital improvements – was approved by voters at a rate of 1.1 mill for six years.
• 2010-May-17: The city council revised the 2006 administrative policy to eliminate NAP’s automatic 3% increase, and reset NAP funding to levels proportionate with other programs.
• 2011-May-16: The city council revised the 2006 administrative policy to allow non-millage funds to count as general fund support for the parks for purposes of the policy that requires general fund support.

The millage raises about $5 million annually, and is one of two primary sources for the $11.75 million parks system budget, with the other main source coming from the city’s general fund. The millage pays for capital projects and park planning, forestry, NAP and operational maintenance. The general fund covers core services, Smith said, including mowing, snow removal, utilities and daily operations of general fund recreational facilities.

A breakdown of the FY2012 Ann Arbor parks and recreation budget. (Links to larger image.)

From the general fund, about $3.59 million supports parks administration and general fund recreational facilities (as distinguished from so-called enterprise funds for facilities that are intended to become self-supporting, like the golf courses and farmers market). Another $2.3 million funds general park operations, and about $500,000 is transfered from the general fund to support golf operations.

From the millage, $2 million supports millage-related park operations, $1.6 million is earmarked for capital projects, $981,389 is allocated to forestry, and $698,569 goes to NAP.

Smith and Warba walked through an example of how the millage is being used to fund a specific project – improvements at Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm. [A detailed report on that project was part of the commission's Feb. 28, 2012 meeting.]

The millage casts a wide net, Smith said, and is incredibly important to the care and well-being of the city’s parks.

Warba reported that city staff started meeting in January to evaluate how the existing millage is working and to strategize about how best to communicate its uses. In addition, a working group of park commissioners – including PAC chair Julie Grand and city councilmember Christopher Taylor, an ex-officio PAC member – met to talk about levels of funding and whether current funds are sufficient for the park system’s needs.

The staff consensus is that a straight renewal makes the most sense, Warba said. It provides consistency and a sufficient level of funding. Every recreational facility has received some kind of upgrade within the past five years, even if it’s been behind-the-scenes infrastructure, he said.

The existing millage generates an average of $5 million annually, Smith said, totaling about $25 million over the past five years. The current fund balance is about $4 million, with roughly $2 million of that earmarked for renovations to the ballfields that were recently approved. That leaves about $2 million to cover emergency repairs throughout the system’s 157 parks, which Smith said he felt was adequate. An example of a project that might be covered is the restoration of Plymouth Park, following last year’s collapse of the railroad embankment.

The millage renewal would be on the ballot for 1.1 mills, Smith said – a little more than what’s currently levied because of the Headlee rollback. The renewal would be for another six years. If voters were asked to approve a higher tax or for a longer period, it would be considered a new tax, he noted. The working group had felt it was important to be a renewal, given the current economy.

A mill is equal to $1 for each $1,000 of taxable value for a property. For a hypothetical house worth $200,000, with a state equalized value and a taxable value of $100,000, each mill of tax on that property would generate $100 in revenue.

Smith described the next steps as developing informational material for voters, and holding a series of four public forums in April. PAC will also schedule a public hearing on the millage at its April 17 meeting, and the commission would vote on a formal recommendation in May. That recommendation would then be sent to the city council for a vote, likely at an August meeting, to put the millage on the November ballot.

Park Maintenance & Operations Millage: Commission Discussion

Tim Berla referred the public commentary by Larry Baird, who had urged the city to move faster on completing the Border-to-Border Trail. [See below for a summary of Baird's commentary.] Several years ago, the commission had talked about how to make a pedestrian/bicycle crossing over the railroad tracks, Berla noted. Is that something that the millage could pay for? Berla wondered about the status of filling in gaps in the trail.

Colin Smith, the city's parks and recreation manager.

Smith noted that anytime PAC or the city council wants to highlight or expedite a particular project, they can direct staff to take action. Passing a resolution would be one way to do that, he said. PAC’s land acquisition committee has identified areas that are a priority to acquire, he noted, and they are working with Ginny Trocchio – who manages the city’s greenbelt and park acquisition programs – to move those efforts forward. Now is a good time to have more conversations about the land along the railroad, Smith said.

Berla said he completely understands why a millage renewal is more politically advantageous than an increase. But he noted that now is the time to think about whether more money is needed for parks. If the city decided it wanted to do more, what would the process be? he asked.

Smith replied that it’s a fine balance between acquiring land and maintaining it. The city currently has more than 50 miles of trail that are heavily used and that need renovation and care, for example. Julie Grand cautioned that the city needs to be aware of the political and economic climate. In May, the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be asking voters to approve a technology millage. There will likely be other “asks,” she said. Grand pointed out that if the parks millage isn’t renewed, the system couldn’t operate.

Tim Doyle asked if other millages will be on the November ballot. No other city millages are anticipated, Smith said. That’s good, Doyle said, because it avoids confusion and backlash. Smith noted that in 2006, this millage was on the ballot along with the city’s street repair millage. [The street repair millage of 2 mills was most recently renewed by voters in November 2011. A separate 0.125 mills for sidewalk repairs was also approved.]

Sam Offen wondered if there were other major parks projects in the next five years that hadn’t yet been discussed. Smith pointed to several possibilities. Upcoming renovations at Gallup Park canoe livery are being funded by a state grant, but the millage could be used to enhance that work, he said. Paths to the raptor enclosures are being upgraded at the Leslie Science & Nature Center, he noted, but broader improvements there – part of a master plan for the facility – also could be undertaken. The Veterans Ice Arena is in dire need of a new roof, which Smith said he realized is not exciting, but it’s necessary. Renovations to the ballfields are another longer-term project, he said. Work at the city’s three main ballfields is already approved, but the second-tier fields also need attention, he said.

Park Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage: Fuller Road Station

Mike Anglin, one of two city councilmembers who also serve on PAC as non-voting commissioners, said he was concerned about Fuller Park. The discussion about Fuller Road Station isn’t over, he said, even though the city’s partner “disappeared.” [Anglin was referring to the University of Michigan, which in February 2012 pulled out of plans to build a large parking structure, bus depot and possible train station at the Fuller Road site, near UM's medical campus. See Chronicle coverage: "UM, Ann Arbor Halt Fuller Road Project"]

Ann Arbor city councilmember Mike Anglin (Ward 5) also serves as an ex-officio member of the city's park advisory commission.

The city has already put about $3 million into the project, Anglin contended, and the original plan called for parks to handle the site’s maintenance, he said. Now the project is being re-discussed, he said, adding that it has bearing on the parks system.

Grand warned that the millage renewal is separate from the Fuller Road Station issue. The issues aren’t connected, she said, and it’s important to educate the public about what the renewal means.

Anglin replied that he support parks and he’s 100% behind the millage renewal. Voters will definitely pass the millage renewal, he predicted. Anglin said all he wanted to do was to alert people to the fact that the Fuller Road Station discussion is ongoing.

Smith said it’s important to note that no parks millage funds have been spent on Fuller Road Station. In response to a query from Berla, Smith said that no millage funds would be used to build a train station. The city’s charter describes how the millage proceeds can be spent, he said, and ”suffice it to say that a train station would not fall under that.”

The relevant section of the city charter reads as follows:

Funds for Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements

SECTION 8. 19 In addition to any other amount which the City is authorized to raise by general tax upon the real and personal property by this Charter or any other provision of law, the City shall, in 2007 through 2012, annually levy a tax of 1.10 mills on all taxable real and personal property situated within the City for the purpose financing park maintenance activities in the following categories: forestry and horticulture, natural area preservation, park operations, park equipment repairs, park security, and recreation facilities; and for the purpose of financing park capital improvement projects for active parks, forestry and horticulture, historic preservation, neighborhood parks and urban plazas, pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways, the Huron River watershed, recreation facilities and park equipment acquisitions. (Section 8.19 added by election of April 4, 1983; amended by elections of April 3, 1989, November 8, 1994, November 7, 2000 and November 7, 2006).

Doyle wondered if the parks staff would have any responsibility for maintenance of a train station, if it were located on park property. Smith replied that the millage can be used to maintain park property, ”and that does not include a train station, plain and simple.” If the parks staff were used to do maintenance at a train station, those hours would not be billed to the parks budget, he said.

Park Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage: Next Steps

The city staff plans to hold four public forums in April to discuss the millage:

• Monday, April 9, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
• Wednesday, April 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Road.
• Monday, April 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Leslie Science & Nature Center’s Nature House, 1831 Traver Road.
• Thursday, April 26, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive.

Sam Offen pointed out that none of the forums are scheduled at locations on the west side of town. Smith said it was difficult finding suitable spots. Offen suggested that Slauson Middle School might be a possible location.

David Barrett observed that the public needs to realize that some great things have happened and that more is in the works. There’s a tangible relationship between the millage and these parks, he said, joking that a snappy phrase is needed to describe it.

Smith laughed, but added that the staff’s role is to provide information, not to advocate. If there’s a citizens group that wants to promote the millage renewal, he said he could give them information, but advocating is outside of the staff’s purview.

The city plans to launch a website in early April with more information about the millage.

MichCon Remediation Update

Representatives from DTE were on hand to update commissioners on the remediation of the MichCon property that’s located north of Broadway Street, between the Huron River and the railroad tracks that run past the Amtrak station. MichCon is a subsidiary of DTE Energy – DTE also owns property on the opposite side of the river, south of Broadway, where it plans to build a new electricity substation.

Shayne Wiesemann, a senior environmental engineer with DTE Energy, gave the presentation. He had given a similar report to city council at a March 12, 2012 working session. An extensive report on that presentation is included in The Chronicle’s coverage of a recent master plan committee meeting: “Planning Group Revisits Huron River Report.”

MichCon Remediation Update: Commission Discussion

Sam Offen asked what the company’s intent is for the property after the cleanup. Wiesemann replied that there’s a tremendous opportunity for redevelopment at the site, and that the company has recently started meeting with stakeholders in the community. However, no plans have been finalized, he said. The company’s senior leaders have a vision that the property can be used as an economic catalyst for the community, Wisesmann added, and that it can be a place for people to come and enjoy the river. In the short term, DTE will retain ownership, he said.

Gwen Nystuen said her understanding was that the Border-to-Border Trail route had been intended to include both sides of the river, including the MichCon side. Colin Smith, the city’s parks and recreation manager, said the original desire was to use the MichCon side for the trail. But now that the Argo Cascades project is nearly complete, the trail on that side serves the purpose.

In the foreground is Paul Ganz, manager of regional relations for DTE Energy. Seated next to him is Larry Baird, an Ann Arbor resident who spoke during public commentary about the Border-to-Border Trail.

Tim Berla asked what uses would be safe after the MichCon’s property is remediated. Will there be any ongoing safety issues?

Wiesemann said the company realizes that the section of land by the river will be widely used for recreation, and their plans are to clean it to a residential unrestricted standard. As for the area that’s on higher ground closer to Broadway, there will probably be more work to do there, Wiesemann said, and the company will do whatever remediation is required after a final use for that land is determined. They don’t want to do too much or too little, he said, so they’ll wait until plans for its use are finalized.

Berla asked about tests that had been conducted on the property. Wiesemann said the results of testing are posted on the MDEQ website. [The Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality keeps a list of contaminated sites in the state, including those in Ann Arbor, with a list of the contaminants at those sites. The contaminants at the MichCon Broadway site include heavy metals (lead, nickel, zinc, etc.) and phthalates.]

Berla also wondered about some blue tarps he’d seen on the site. Is there a homeless encampment on the property? Yes, Wiesemann said, there have been some issues with the homeless for a while. The company has worked with the Ann Arbor police department, he said, but “unfortunately, they keep coming back.” Breaches in the fence are being repaired and the encampment will be removed before remediation work begins, he said.

Responding to another query from Berla, Wiesemann reported that the permit to build the whitewater feature in the stretch of the Huron River adjacent to the MichCon site will likely be submitted to the state in early April. He anticipates it will be built in September, after the MichCon remediation work is done. The intent is to use the same designer and contractor who worked on the Argo Cascades project.

Julie Grand asked about the environmental impact of the foam that will be used for odor suppression. Wiesemann assured her that the foam is completely biodegradable and non-toxic, and that there will be no impact on wildlife. He said it basically creates a barrier over the soil so that odors can’t be emitted.

David Barrett asked what landfill would be used to dump the contaminated soil. Wiesemann said it would be taken to a licensed facility in Northville [the Arbor Hills landfill, operated by Veolia ES Arbor Hills Landfill Inc.].

Smith concluded the presentation by saying that he appreciated the time that DTE had taken to work with city staff, and that it was great to see this remediation project come to fruition.

Open Space & Parkland Preservation Millage Update

Ginny Trocchio, a staff member of  The Conservation Fund who manages Ann Arbor’s greenbelt and parkland acquisition programs under contract with the city, presented a mid-year financial report to PAC for the period of July 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2012 – the first seven months of the current fiscal year. [.pdf file of financial report]

Ginny Trocchio, who manages the greenbelt and park land acquisition programs, and Jeff Straw, deputy parks & recreation manager.

Ann Arbor voters passed a 30-year 0.5 mill tax in 2003 for land acquisition. It’s called the open space and parkland preservation millage, and appears on the summer tax bill as the line item CITY PARK ACQ. Though not stipulated in the legal terms of the millage, the city’s policy has been to allocate one-third of the millage for parks land acquisition and two-thirds for the city’s greenbelt program. The parks portion of the millage is overseen by PAC, while the greenbelt advisory commission handles the portion for land preservation outside of the city limits.

To get money upfront for land acquisition, the city took out a $20 million bond in fiscal year 2006. That bond is being being paid back with revenue from the millage. Debt service on that bond so far in FY 2012 year has amounted to $837,088. [Two debt service payments are made during the fiscal year, totaling about $1.2 million.]

Net revenues from the millage were $2.244 million as of Jan. 31, Trocchio reported, with expenses of $1.768 million. In addition to debt service, the expenses include $813,000 in greenbelt projects and about $82,000 for parkland acquisition.

About $10.5 million remains in the fund balance, but some of that will be spent on deals that have already been approved but haven’t yet closed, Trocchio said. Of that fund balance, $4.5 million is designated for parks, while about $6 million is set aside for the greenbelt program.

In addition, there’s $445,000 in an endowment set up to cover legal costs related to enforcing the conservation easements held by the city.

Trocchio also reported that administrative costs of $35,594 so far in fiscal 2012 equate to 2% of total revenues. Administrative costs over the life of the millage are limited by ordinance to be no greater than 6% of revenues.

Open Space & Parkland Preservation Millage Update: Commission Discussion

Gwen Nystuen asked Trocchio whether the parkland acquired by the city with millage funds included permanent deed restrictions designating it for park use. Trocchio replied that for land acquired in the city, the city holds the title for the property.

Nystuen pointed out that city-owned property – including parkland – is zoned as “public land.” So unless there are deed restrictions, the city council could decide to change the use of the land to something else besides a park. [This has been an issue cited with the proposed Fuller Road Station, which would be located in Fuller Park.] Nystuen wondered whether buying property with the millage provided any additional protection.

Colin Smith, the city’s parks and recreation manager, said the properties acquired by the millage are listed in the city’s Park and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan. The fact that the properties are purchased with millage proceeds provides an extra layer of protection beyond that, he said. If sold, that decision would need to be reviewed by PAC, the planning commission and city council, as well as requiring approval from voters, he said. Nystuen said that’s true if the land is sold, but the same process isn’t followed if the use of the land changes, she noted. It does seem like there’s merit to purchasing property through the millage, she observed, to help ensure that it remains parkland.

Sam Offen questioned a $7,928 payment made to Norfolk Southern Railroad out of millage funds. Trocchio explained that it’s a long-term lease payment for a section of land in Bandemer Park. Offen wondered whether the railroad still owned the property, or whether it had been sold to the Michigan Dept. of Transportation. Smith replied that the staff would look into the status of that sale. [Negotiations are ongoing for the state to buy about 135 miles of track from Norfolk Southern, including the section running through Ann Arbor.]

Nystuen wondered how the lease was paid for prior to the millage. Smith wasn’t sure, but noted that the millage had paid for it since fiscal 2007. In response to another question from Nystuen, Trocchio said that the millage ordinance allows for the purchase of land or land rights, and a lease falls under that latter category. Smith characterized it as a essential parcel for the Border-to-Border Trail.

Placid Way Park Renovations

On the March 20 agenda was a resolution recommending that the city council award a $79,980 contract to Michigan Recreational Construction Inc. to handle renovations at Placid Way Park. The resolution also recommends an additional 10% contingency of $7,998 for a total project cost of $87,978.

The 1.32-acre neighborhood park is located on the city’s north side near the larger Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area and Foxfire South Park. An entrance to the park with a small parking lot is located off of Placid Way, across from Tuebingen Parkway. [.pdf map of Placid Way Park.]

According to a staff memo, Michigan Recreational Construction, a Howell-based company, submitted the lowest of six bids. The work includes replacing the existing play structure and picnic table, and adding benches and landscaping. Funding is available from proceeds of the FY 2012 park maintenance and capital improvements millage.

Parks and recreation manager Colin Smith told commissioners it was a fairly straighforward project.

Placid Way Park Renovations: Commission Discussion

There was minimal discussion on this item. David Barrett asked whether the city had worked with this company in the past. Colin Smith wasn’t sure, but assumed that parks planner Amy Kuras had experience with the company. Julie Grand asked Smith to clarify the park’s location. Smith described it as northeast of Leslie Park Golf Course, and southeast of Olson Park.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously recommended awarding the Placid Way Park contract to Michigan Recreational Construction. The recommendation will be forwarded to the city council for consideration.

Communications & Commentary

Every meeting includes opportunities for public commentary and communications from commissioners and staff. One person spoke during time allocated for public commentary at the March 20 meeting.

Comm/Comm: Public Commentary – Border-to-Border Trail

Larry Baird spoke during two opportunities for public commentary, focusing his remarks on the Border-to-Border Trail. [The trail is a countywide shared-use path that roughly follows the Huron River.] He said he’s enjoyed the park system for over 20 years, but he’s concerned about the priority given to a high-speed rail initiative and the lack of discussion related to the trail system through the city.

He brought a copy of “Riverwalks Ann Arbor” by Brenda Bentley, saying it’s one of his favorite books, and he urged commissioners to get a copy or borrow his. After he read it, he attempted to walk the entire trail within the city, and came to appreciate the complexity of the trail and the challenges to complete the “missing links.” Those gaps in the trail system have been on the drawing board far too long, he said.

Book cover of "Riverwalks" by Brenda Bentley.

Now that the Michigan Dept. of Transportation is negotiating to buy the stretch of railroad that runs through Ann Arbor, Baird encouraged commissioners to take a pro-active approach, perhaps by forming a task force to ensure that MDOT doesn’t slow down the process of completing a river trail even more.

Baird read an excerpt from the city’s Park and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan: “Since the 1962 Plan, there has been a concerted effort to complete the pattern of recreational open space along the Huron River from Barton Pond to Geddes Pond … Although Ann Arbor lacks a completed system of connected natural areas, City residents take pride in the preservation of substantial open space along the Huron River…”

For at least 50 years this project has been discussed, Baird noted. He challenged commissioners to find the will and determination to complete it.

Baird picked up the topic again at the end of the meeting, handing out a map from the PROS plan that showed proposed trail connections. [.pdf of PROS trail maps for the Huron River greenway] Two of five proposed connections – at Depot Street (next to the MichCon site) and Maiden Lane – are close to other alternatives, so he hoped that priority would be given to the three other connectors. Of those other three connectors, two are connections to Nichols Arboretum and while nice, they wouldn’t extend the trail, he said.

There’s really only one connection that Baird said he would deem the “holy grail” – connecting the northwest corner of Bandemer Park to Barton Nature Area. That would add almost two miles of trails and open up connections to nearly 300 acres of forests and natural areas, he said.

The current plan calls for a “grade separated” crossing at the railroad tracks near Bandemer Park, but Baird said city officials seem uncertain about how MDOT’s track upgrades for high-speed rail would affect potential crossings. Baird reported that Eli Cooper, the city’s transportation program manager, had told him that similar upgrades elsewhere have resulted in the closing of many crossings for safety reasons.

Baird concluded by proposing an action plan for completing the Border-to-Border Trail connections:

1. Create a task force to study the impact of high-speed rail on the parks system, and to create an action plan for negotiating with MDOT to get a portion of grant funds for high-speed rail to be used for trail easements.
2. Prioritize the trail’s missing links, with the Bandemer-to-Barton link at the top of the list.
3. Set a deadline for completing the missing links.
4. Ensure that an adequate portion of the greenbelt millage is spent within the city, preferably for trail easements.
5. Advise the city to focus on the broader impacts of high-speed rail on the parks system, rather than just focus on Fuller Road Station.
6. Consider allocating a portion of the existing greenbelt millage, or a separate millage, to fund completion of the trail.

Baird said he hoped commissioners would give consideration to his suggestions.

Comm/Comm: Public Commentary – West Park

During the opportunity for communications from commissioners, Tim Berla asked about the situation at West Park. He noted that there were still construction fences up around the section where swirl concentrators had failed, gravel along one of the walkways, and poles in the pond. He said it would be great to have a bench along the boardwalk that overlooked the pond.

Lids for underground swirl concentrators at West Park.

Colin Smith replied that he’d recently been to West Park too, and wondered about the poles, which had been used to help keep birds away from aquatic plants as they take root – though he noted that a few ducks “have been less than deterred.” Smith said the city council will soon be asked to vote on change orders to fund the final repairs at West Park, so the project is wrapping up. The dispute between the city and its contractors over who’ll pay for work related to the failed swirl concentrators is close to being resolved, he said.

[Swirl concentrators had been installed for stormwater management as part of a major renovation of West Park in 2010. Most recently, PAC received a detailed update on the project at its Jan. 24, 2012 meeting from Nick Hutchinson, a civil engineer and one of the project managers in the city’s public services unit. Hutchinson had told the commission that in May and June of 2012, the manufacturer of the swirl concentrators will make repairs on the units. Following that, the city will hire a contractor to complete additional work that was recommended by Orchard Hiltz & McCliment (OHM), which the city had engaged in 2010 to look into the problems at West Park. City staff hope to have that work completed by July of 2012.]

Comm/Comm: Public Commentary – Manager’s Report

Colin Smith began his report by noting that the city’s two golf courses had opened early because of warm weather – last year the courses hadn’t opened until April. On the flip side, the Buhr Park Ice Arena was closed earlier than expected for the same reason. As schedules allowed, hockey leagues that played at Buhr were relocated to Veterans Park Ice Arena.

Argo Cascades – the name for the new Huron River bypass near Argo Pond – is closed so that a new pedestrian bridge can be installed. That work is underway. Final modifications to the bypass will be done in mid-April, Smith said, including installation of a rubber guide in one of the dropped pools where the water flow is more “energetic” than the staff would like.

Earlier in the meeting, Tim Berla had suggested the possibility of installing benches along the Cascades. Julie Grand noted that she had visited the Cascades as part of a task force on public art. The feeling had been to leave the area as natural as possible, and to see how people use the large rocks along the bypass before installing manmade structures.

Turning to a different project, Smith reported that construction will begin soon in the Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm renovations that PAC had recommended for approval at their Feb. 28 meeting. The major ballfield renovations approved earlier this year will begin in August. It will be a very busy season, Smith said.

Present: David Barrett, Tim Berla, Tim Doyle, Julie Grand, Karen Levin, Gwen Nystuen, Sam Offen, councilmember Mike Anglin (ex-officio). Also Colin Smith, city parks manager.

Absent: Doug Chapman, John Lawter, Christopher Taylor.

Next meeting: PAC’s meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 begins at 4 p.m. in the city hall second-floor council chambers, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor. [confirm date]

The Chronicle survives in part through regular voluntary subscriptions to support our coverage of public bodies like the Ann Arbor park advisory commission. If you’re already supporting The Chronicle, please encourage your friends, neighbors and coworkers to do the same. Click this link for details: Subscribe to The Chronicle.

The 1.32-acre neighborhood park is located on the city’s north side near the larger Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area and Foxfire South Park. An entrance to the park with a small parking lot is located off of Placid Way, across from Tuebingen Parkway. [.pdf map of Placid Way Park.]

According to a staff memo, Michigan Recreational Construction, a Howell-based company, submitted the lowest bid. The work includes replacing the existing play structure and picnic table, and adding benches and landscaping. Funding is available from proceeds of the FY2012 park maintenance and capital improvements millage.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron St., where PAC holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Colin Smith, Ann Arbor's parks and recreation manager, signs sheets from more than a dozen local high school students attesting that they had attended the Feb. 28, 2012 meeting of the city's park advisory commission, as part of a class assignment. (Photos by the writer.)

The largest of the action items was a $865,190 contract for road, parking, pathway and other exterior renovations at Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm. The work will include resurfacing the entry road off of Packard, and improving the path system to allow better access within the park area, as well as a connection from Essex Street into the park. The city council later approved the project at its March 5 meeting.

Commissioners also recommended approval of a 15-foot landscaping buffer in Riverside Park, next to a proposed new DTE Energy substation that abuts the park. DTE is seeking a variance from the city code, which requires a land use buffer for any commercial site that’s adjacent to a park – without the variance, that buffer would need to be located on DTE property. The new substation, to be located in the utility company’s Ann Arbor service center at 984 Broadway, will provide more electrical power to the downtown area due to increased demand.

Also recommended for approval was a $35,200 contract for restroom renovations at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. The facility will be closed in May while the project is completed, and activities will be scheduled at other locations. When PAC chair Julie Grand said she was impressed to see that so many companies had bid on the project, parks manager Colin Smith noted that it might reflect changes related to CUB agreements.

To comply with new state legislation, last summer the city council rescinded a resolution that had previously required contractors for city projects to execute Construction Unity Board (CUB) agreements. The agreements are negotiated between local trade unions and contractors, and require that contractors abide by terms of collective bargaining agreements for the duration of the construction project.

At their Feb. 28 meeting, park commissioners were also updated on a project to make exterior improvements – primarily related to pedestrian pathways – at the Leslie Science & Nature Center. The center, located at 1831 Traver Road, was previously part of the city’s parks system but since 2007 has operated as an independent nonprofit. However, the city still owns and maintains the buildings and property. The first stage of the project will focus on making pathways to the center’s popular raptor enclosures more accessible.

Commissioners also learned that during the week of March 12, the city will begin to install a new pedestrian bridge at the end of the Argo Dam bypass. Because of the construction, the recently renovated bypass will be temporarily closed. A stoplog will be put in to stop the flow of water into the bypass – the project will likely take a couple of weeks. The path along the bypass is expected to be paved later in April, with the end in sight for the entire project by May.

Smith reported that Argo Cascades will be the new name for the bypass – a series of drop pools that eliminates the need to portage along that stretch.

During an update on the parks and recreation budget, Smith reported that due to extra funds available from the park operations budget, plans are in the works to: (1) restore mowing to a 14-day cycle – the cycle has in recent seasons been every 19 days; (2) increase seasonal staffing between April 15 and Oct. 15; and (3) hire three park rangers from May through September, to deal better with maintenance and enforcement issues in the parks.

Several items were also raised during the time set aside for communications. Smith noted that the six-year, 1.1 mill parks maintenance and capital improvements millage will be coming up for renewal this fall. Staff has already started working on the renewal process, gathering materials in preparation for a March 12 city council working session. The millage was last approved in 2006.

It was also noted that two key staff members are leaving their jobs soon. Molly Notarianni, the city’s market manager, is stepping down at the end of March after about four years on the job. The position has already been posted. And long-time Rec & Ed director Sara Aeschbach will be retiring this summer. Both were praised for their service.

At the end of the meeting, commissioner Gwen Nystuen reminded her PAC colleagues about an upcoming sustainability forum on Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the downtown Ann Arbor District Library building. It’s the third in a series of four, this one focusing on climate and energy, and is part of a broader sustainability project that began last year and includes developing sustainability goals for the city. [See Chronicle coverage of the first and second forums in the series.] A public forum on the forums is also scheduled for March 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library building, 343 S. Fifth Ave.

Outdoor Upgrades at Buhr, Cobblestone

Commissioners were asked to recommend approval of a $865,190 contract for road, parking and other exterior renovations at Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm, located at 2781 Packard Rd. The contract would be awarded to Fonson Inc.

Fonson submitted the second lowest of 10 bids. The contract includes a $786,536 base bid plus a $78,654 (10%) contingency for possible change orders. Funding would come from the park maintenance and capital improvements millage, as well as the park rehabilitation and development millage. According to a staff memo, the lowest bid received was from Pranam Global Tech for $499,000. However, no paving subcontractors were listed and no testing fees were included, both of which were requirements of the bid.

Parks planner Amy Kuras described the proposed work in detail. Among other things, Fonson’s work would include resurfacing the road. Kuras showed slides of the current deteriorated roadway, including “unintentional pervious pavement,” she joked. The project would also expand the parking lot at Cobblestone by about 15 spaces, and create a pedestrian pathway system throughout the park area. The path system would include changes to allow better access within the park area, as well as a connection from Essex Street into the park. The project also includes stormwater management features, such as a bioswale, rain gardens, porous pavement in certain areas, and stormwater basins to improve water quality.

These improvements were recommended as part of a stormwater management master plan completed in 2000, Kuras said. The renovations were also recommended as part of the recently updated Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan. [The 9MB plan can be downloaded from the city's parks planning website.]

Proposed changes will also help the park facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Kuras said.

Work is expected to begin this spring. The plan is to keep the park open while the project is completed, though that will be a challenge, Kuras said. The work will begin in the Buhr parking lot and gradually move toward the Packard Road entrance. The plan is to finish the project by the fall of 2012.

Outdoor Upgrades at Buhr, Cobblestone: Commission Discussion

Commissioners had several questions and comments about the plan. Sam Offen asked whether the project will have any impact on the scheduling of events at Cobblestone Farm. Kuras said she’s coordinated with Jessica Black, parks and recreation customer service manager, who manages events at Cobblestone. [The building is rented out for weddings and other events.] When the parking lot is closed, there will be parking available on the grass, Kuras said. The plan is to mill the asphalt rather than remove it, she noted, so that would likely allow people to drive on it during the project.

Parks manager Colin Smith added that most events are held on Friday nights or the weekend, when construction workers won’t be active. It will be a challenge to coordinate, he said, but there are options. Even if it rains and they can’t use the grass area for parking, a gravel lot is available. It wouldn’t be optimal, but it would work.

Offen asked when the Buhr Park pool opens. Memorial Day, Smith reported. The work at the Buhr parking lot will likely be done by then, he said.

David Barrett said he assumed that the parks staff has reached out to Ann Arbor Rec & Ed, noting that the organization schedules games in the park. Yes, Smith said, they’re being kept in the loop.

Christopher Taylor asked for more detail about the pedestrian pathway from Essex Street. Previously, Kuras replied, there’s been no access from Essex into the park – it’s just lawn. With the new path, people will be able to bike or walk to facilities in the park.

Gwen Nystuen asked whether pervious pavement will be used for the new parking spaces at Cobblestone Farm. No, Kuras said. There’s room within the park to handle stormwater treatment in other ways, she said, accomplishing the same environmental goals related to water quality. When Nystuen suggested that they could accomplish even more by using pervious pavement, Kuras replied that the same amount of water would be handled – it’s just a matter of the method used to handle it.

In response to a question from Offen, Kuras noted that the original raingarden in Buhr has been doubled in size, and another one was added there. Nystuen mentioned that it’s the location of the Buhr Park children’s wet meadow project, and Kuras said she’s worked closely with the project’s organizer, Jeannine Palms.

Smith told commissioners that this entire project is a good example of the city taking care of its existing parks infrastructure. Over the past 10 years, several parts of Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm have been renovated, including improvements at the swimming pool and ice rink. By the time this current project is completed, the entire park will have been redone, he said. The city is lucky to have a large parks system, Smith said, but in reality many of the parks are quite old and in need of an overhaul.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the contract with Fonson Inc. for renovations at Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm. The Ann Arbor city council subsequently approved the project at its March 5 meeting.

DTE Landscaping Buffer

The commission was asked to recommend approval of a 15-foot landscaping buffer in Riverside Park, next to a proposed new DTE Energy substation that abuts the park.

Site plan for DTE Buckler substation. (Links to larger image.)

DTE is seeking a variance of the city’s conflicting land use buffer. Chapter 62 of the city code requires a buffer for any commercial site that’s adjacent to a park – without the variance, that buffer would need to be located on DTE property. The code requires that the buffer be at least 15 feet wide, include one tree for each 15 feet of abutting land, and provide a continuous screen at least 4 feet high using a hedge, berm, wall, fence, or combination of those elements.

According to a city staff memo, DTE is building the new Buckler substation in the utility company’s Ann Arbor service center at 984 Broadway, to provide an increase in electrical power to the downtown area due to increased demand for electricity. Because of physical constraints on DTE’s property, the utility is asking the city to place the buffer – which will include 23 new trees – in Riverside Park. The buffer would remain city parks property. The parks staff recommended approval of the plan.

Parks manager Colin Smith walked the commission through the proposal. The current border between Riverside and the DTE property includes a fence, scrub, and a “haphazard” screen of trees of varying quality, he said. All of the substation’s construction would occur on DTE property, Smith said, and the city’s ownership of the park property would remain unchanged. He noted that the city’s forester would select the trees, and the area would include other landscaping as well. It will look much better than it does now, he said.

Smith also noted that the proposal will decrease the city’s maintenance costs – because of the landscaping, they won’t need to mow around the trees as they do now. He stressed that the proposed buffer is not an area that’s actively used, and that the city already has tried to create a buffer between the DTE facility and the park, so that park users won’t have to look at the DTE site. The project is an example of the city trying to be a good neighbor, he said, because the reality is that DTE needs a new substation to serve the electricity needs of residents.

DTE Landscaping Buffer: Commission Discussion

Sam Offen asked what is currently on the site where DTE plans to build its new substation. Scott Trowbridge of DTE Energy came to the podium to answer the question, saying that it’s a paved storage area for vehicles and equipment.

Offen asked if there were any other areas where the substation could be built, so that it wouldn’t abut the property line with Riverside. Trowbridge noted that the DTE property is on the edge of a floodplain, and if the substation is located closer to the river, it would require more floodplain mitigation. Underground conduits are also located in that area, he said, which will be used for the new substation – that also affects the choice of location.

Offen said he normally doesn’t like it when people don’t follow the city’s zoning code. It’s the property owner’s responsibility to provide a screen, he noted. On the other hand, he wants to be a good neighbor, so he was debating how to vote on this resolution. He trusted that DTE had considered alternatives, and that the company had determined this was the best option.

Offen said he said he assumed that since the buffer is on the city’s property, it would then be the city’s responsibility for maintenance? Yes, Smith replied, adding that most trees would come with some kind of warrantee. Offen wanted to ensure that the warrantee is at least the industry standard and that if a tree doesn’t survive, DTE would replace it.

Ann Arbor parks & recreation manager Colin Smith, left, talks with Scott Trowbridge of DTE Energy before the Feb. 28, 2012 meeting of the city's park advisory commission.

Smith said he agreed entirely with Offen’s points, and that if there had been a way to accomplish this within the zoning code, that would have been the way to go. But the proposal seems reasonable, he added, and DTE has been working with planning staff about it.

Offen then asked if the path running along the river would be affected by the new substation. The path would not be affected, Smith said.

Christopher Taylor asked if there would be a vertical or noise element as part of the substation. Trowbridge reported that there’s currently a cell phone tower on that site that’s over 100 feet tall. The equipment at the substation would be no taller than about 16 feet, he said, but because of floodplain issues, the project includes raising the grade of the land there about four feet.

Regarding noise, Trowbridge said you would probably be able to hear a hum at the fenceline, but not much more than that.

Taylor noted that based on a Google Earth map, it looks like there’s a park playing field close to the property line. Tim Berla added that there’s a goal located not too far from the existing fence, and that one corner of the field is close to the property line.

Smith said the buffer won’t impact the ability to schedule games on that field. If anything, he added, it will result in a better parks buffer. He also noted that DTE is planning to provide additional landscaping along Canal Street, which runs next to the park.

Tim Doyle wondered what DTE would do if the city denies this variance request. Does the company have an alternative plan? Trowbridge said the decision would involve many people, and would lead to a delay in meeting downtown Ann Arbor’s demand for electricity – there’s only so much load the current substation can provide. It would lead to choices about how DTE can serve new developments, he said. And when the load peaks in the summer, DTE might need to shut down some circuits to protect its equipment.

Trowbridge said there are two main drivers in selecting the current site for a substation. One is that DTE already owns the property. The other is the location of underground conduits with existing circuits and spare ducts. At that location, DTE could easily bring cables underground into the new substation. Distribution circuits now come out of the Argo substation, located across the street on Broadway. In response to a query from Doyle, Trowbridge said that building the new substation as proposed is the most economically viable plan for DTE.

Doyle noted that raising the grade by four feet was dramatic, and he wondered if anyone had looked at the impact of drainage into the park. Trowbridge said the plan called for capturing stormwater runoff on the DTE site, by using a detention pond and stone surface instead of asphalt.

Noting that parks staff supports the proposal, David Barrett said he wanted to make sure that staff was comfortable that drainage wouldn’t be a problem and that the field wouldn’t be deluged. Smith indicated that the staff felt fine about the proposal.

DTE Landscaping Buffer: Amendment

John Lawter said he assumed that the proposed 23 trees exceeds the amount required by code – that would help compensate for using parkland for the buffer. Trowbridge said he couldn’t speak to that.

Doyle suggested amending the resolution to require that a minimum of 23 trees be used in the buffer. There was some discussion about what the code actually required. From Chapter 62, Section 5:603 of the city code:

The conflicting land use buffer shall consist of the following:
(1) A landscaped buffer strip at least 15 feet wide. If there is an existing building or vehicular use area located within the required 15-foot landscape buffer strip, the landscape buffer strip may have an average of 15 feet in width over the entire length of the required buffer area, with no specific location along the buffer strip being less than 8 feet in width
(2) One tree for each 15 feet or fraction thereof of abutting land. At least 50% of the trees within the conflicting land use buffer shall be evergreen. Arrangement of trees in clusters or groupings is encouraged, but in all cases shall be between 15 feet and 30 feet apart on center. Plantings should be placed to screen the views between buildings that existed at the time of site plan approval, (especially windows and patio views) on the adjacent property.
(3) A hedge, landform berm, wall, fence or combination thereof forming a continuous screen at least 4 feet high. All gasoline or service stations shall employ opaque walls as the continuous screen. For parcels principally used or zoned for residential purposes the requirement for a hedge, landform berm, wall or fence is only required to screen vehicular use areas and refuse/recycling containers that are adjacent to the conflicting land use buffer.

Parks planner Amy Kuras said she had recommended that an additional 7-8 trees be added between the Riverside parking lot and Canal Street. [Kuras is overseeing a larger renovation project at the park – commissioners were briefed on that effort at their October 2011 meeting.]

At the direction of commissioners, Smith crafted an amendment to request that DTE provide an additional 10 trees in landscaping for a parking lot in the park, adjacent to Canal Street. It was considered a friendly amendment to the resolution, and was not voted on separately.

Outcome: The commission unanimously recommended approval of a landscaping buffer in Riverside Park, next to a proposed DTE substation, as well as additional trees between the Riverside parking lot and Canal Street. DTE also needs to secure a variance from the city’s zoning board of appeals and planning commission, as well as final approval by the city council.

Senior Center Renovations

On the Feb. 28 agenda was a resolution to recommend approval of a $35,200 contract for restroom renovations at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Staff recommended that the contract be awarded to L.C. Construction, which submitted the lowest of eight acceptable bids. The facility will be closed in May while the project is completed, and activities will be scheduled at other locations.

The $35,200 includes a $32,000 base bid and a $3,200 (10%) contingency fund to cover possible change orders. Funds would come from proceeds of the park maintenance and capital improvements millage.

According to a city staff memo, the restrooms don’t meet the state’s Barrier Free Code. The center’s two existing restrooms – each with two stalls – would be converted to three single restrooms that would each meet the Barrier Free Code standards. The memo notes that because L.C. Construction only has three employees, it is exempt from the city’s living wage and human rights ordinances.

Senior Center Renovations: Commission Discussion

There was little deliberation on this item. Julie Grand said she was impressed to see that so many companies had bid on the project. Parks manager Colin Smith mentioned that it might reflect changes related to CUB agreements.

By way of background, at its Aug. 15, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council rescinded a resolution it had passed in November 2009, which had required execution of Construction Unity Board (CUB) agreements by contractors and subcontractors with the Washtenaw County Skilled Building Trades Council as a condition of award for all city construction contracts. The resolution also had required inclusion of the requirement in all construction bids issued by the city.

CUB agreements are negotiated between local trade unions and contractors, and require that contractors who sign the agreement abide by terms of collective bargaining agreements for the duration of the construction project. In return, the trade unions agree that they will not strike, engage in work slow-downs, set up separate work entrances at the job site or take any other adverse action against the contractor.

The council rescinded its CUB resolution because state Act 98 of 2011 – which became effective July 19, 2011 – prohibits municipalities from including as a requirement in a construction contract anything that would either require or prohibit contractors from entering into agreements with collective bargaining organizations. The act also prohibits discrimination against contractors based on willingness or non-willingness to enter into such agreements.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the contract with L.C. Construction. City council subsequently approved the contract at its March 5 meeting.

Renovations at Leslie Science & Nature Center

Amy Kuras, the city’s parks planner, gave an update on a project to make exterior improvements – primarily related to pedestrian pathways – at the Leslie Science & Nature Center. The center, located at 1831 Traver Road, was previously part of the city’s parks system but since 2007 has operated as an independent nonprofit. However, the city still owns and maintains the buildings and property.

This photo of raptor enclosures at Leslie Science & Nature Center was provided by city staff as part of the packet of materials for the park advisory commission's Feb. 28 meeting.

The goal of the changes is to make the center compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and to make the pathways and overall organization of the site less confusing, Kuras said.  The site includes a lot of paved impervious surface, and a lot of it isn’t necessary, she said. The project will also address soil erosion and water runoff issues.

The center’s raptor enclosures – housing owls, falcons, a bald eagle and other birds of prey – are located at the highest part of the site, Kuras said. The birds are very popular, she added, so it’s important to make the area as accessible as possible. In addition to pathways, there will be better signs indicating how to get to the enclosures, as well as directions to other parts of the center.

The city has hired JJR as a consultant on the project, Kuras said. There has been one public forum about the proposed changes, and staff has met with the center’s board as well.

After developing a master plan for the entire site, a more detailed design for the pathway to the raptor enclosures will be completed, Kuras said. Construction on that pathway will begin in the fall of 2012, after the center’s summer camps are over.

Leslie Science & Nature Center: Commission Discussion

Gwen Nystuen asked whether pervious pavement would be used in the project. As with all projects, Kuras replied, pervious pavement would be used where it’s appropriate. She’s looking at possibly using some innovative products, she added, including a product made from crushed recycled glass. Kuras said she hopes to find a local source for the glass, and that the pavement sparkles and is quite beautiful. However, there needs to be additional testing to see if it’s appropriate for the site, she said.

In response to another question from Nystuen, Kuras explained that the existing parking will be reconfigured from angled to perpendicular parking, which will allow for more spaces on the same footprint. They’re also looking at putting pervious pavement in the overflow parking areas, which are currently grass. Kuras said that instructional signs aren’t part of this project, but that the center’s staff will take care of that component.

Sam Offen noted that he also serves as a board member for the center, and reported that the board and staff are very excited about the project.

Kuras hopes to apply for a state grant to help fund the full project. Julie Grand clarified with Kuras that the pathways to the raptor enclosures would be handled first, followed by the rest of the renovations as funding allows.

The report was informational only – it was not an action item for PAC.

Financial Update

Colin Smith, the city’s parks and recreation manager, gave PAC a financial update on parks and recreation operations, for the period starting July 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2012. [.pdf of parks and rec quarterly financial update as of Jan. 31, 2012] The city operates on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30.

From left: Ann Arbor city councilmember Christopher Taylor (Ward 3), and park advisory commissioners Tim Doyle and Gwen Nystuen. Taylor is an ex officio (non-voting) member of PAC.

Smith started by focusing on the recreational facilities supported by the city’s general fund. On the revenue side, some facilities are ahead of budget and some are behind, he noted. Overall, however, the forecast for the full fiscal year anticipates $2.368 million in revenues – about $2,500 ahead of budget. And expenses are projected to be $15,000 lower than budgeted, at $3.445 million for the fiscal year. That means the forecast for the year is now $17,500 better than budgeted from the general fund for parks and recreation, he said.

There are no alarms in any of the facilities supported by the general fund, he said. The forecast anticipates a $1.076 million general fund subsidy for parks and recreation for the year.

Smith then turned to the park system’s three enterprise funds – areas that are intended to be self-sustaining – the farmers market, Huron Hills golf course, and Leslie Park golf course. Revenues and expenses are on budget for the market, Smith said, at about $165,000.

The $369,875 forecasted revenues for Huron Hills is about $12,000 less than budgeted, while Leslie Park’s $896,319 in revenues is forecasted to be about $25,000 less than budgeted. Expenses at each golf course are about $5,000 less than budgeted, Smith said. The net forecasted loss for the two courses is $27,500 for the fiscal year. It’s not an insurmountable amount, he added, especially if the spring weather isn’t as wet as last year.

Financial Update: Commission Discussion

After reviewing some of the other line items in the parks and rec budget, Smith answered questions from commissioners.

Sam Offen observed a $17,500 drop in forecasted revenues for the Argo canoe livery. Is that because construction has been delayed? Smith replied that the drop relates to the offer by DTE to pay for the whitewater feature in the Huron River near the Argo bypass, if the city delayed action on that project. When the budget was developed in early 2011, the parks staff had assumed that the whitewater feature would be open during the summer of 2012, creating new revenue opportunities. Now, it’s likely that the river whitewater feature won’t be ready until 2013.

In response to a question from John Lawter, Smith clarified that the city subsidizes the parks and recreation budget by about $1.076 million from the city’s general fund. Tim Berla noted that the golf courses are subsidized with about $292,000 in general fund dollars.

David Barrett asked why the golf courses are forecast to have a total of $10,000 less in expenses than anticipated. Smith replied that when the weather is bad, staff at the courses are sent home. That’s primarily why expenses are lower.

Barrett also asked about the fitness center at Veterans Memorial Park. Revenues are only about $5,500, which Smith said reflected low usage of the center – revenues come from fees paid by users. He said the staff are exploring better ways to use that space, and think that perhaps a fitness center isn’t the best option. Karen Levin speculated that perhaps people in the neighborhood just don’t know about it, and that if the facility is marketed, usage might increase. Smith observed that the equipment is out of date, and it’s not really the park system’s main business.

Gwen Nystuen asked about the line item for administration – $159,171 in revenues. Smith clarified that it comes from a variety of sources, including parking rental from Fuller and Riverside parks.

Financial Update: Maintenance

Matt Warba, supervisor of field operations, briefed the commission about the portion of the budget related to maintenance. [.pdf of parks maintenance financial summary] He began with operations funded from the general fund, and noted that by the nature of the work, there are very few revenues. Regarding expenses, overall they’ll be well within the budgeted amounts, he said.

For operations funded through the parks maintenance and capital improvements millage, Warba highlighted a few line items. The Argo livery is over budget due to maintenance and the purchase of additional kayaks and canoes in anticipation of the new Argo Dam bypass. Expenses are also higher than budgeted for the Ann Arbor senior center, due to renovations there.

David Barrett asked whether the winter’s lack of heavy snowfall saved in expenses. Warba said he didn’t want to say, because there was still the chance that the region would get hit – the potential for snow isn’t over yet. Warba’s assumption is that there will be savings, “but you never know.”

Smith noted that a budget impact statement for field operations had been distributed at a Feb. 13, 2012 city council working session. Over the past three years, he said, there have been savings in park operations, primarily due to budgeted but unfilled job vacancies. [Responding to a follow-up email query from The Chronicle, Smith clarified that since fiscal year 2009, park operations has annually underspent its expenditure budget by an average of about $550,000.] As a result, he said, parks staff were asked to figure out how best to use that money in the parks system.

The parks staff are making several recommendations: (1) restore mowing to a 14-day cycle – the cycle has in recent seasons been every 19 days; (2) increase seasonal staffing between April 15 and Oct. 15 so that active recreation areas can be maintained better; (3) hire three park rangers from May through September, to deal better with maintenance and enforcement issues in the parks; and (4) increase seasonal staff at the city’s ice arenas to help clean the facilities.

Sam Offen asked how much enforcement capability the rangers would have. When the city had park rangers in the past, that was an issue – the rangers didn’t have much ability to act. Offen also asked whether PAC would get more details about these proposals at a later date.

Smith replied that yes, details are still being worked out and would be brought forward to PAC. Regarding rangers, Smith said they will be parks staff, not police. Warba added that the intent of the rangers is to be informational – they won’t even have the ability to write tickets. If there were a problem, the rangers would call the police. The rangers are seen as stewards of the park system, Warba said, and would do tasks like check restrooms or ensure that people don’t jump the fence and use soccer fields when it’s too wet, which damages the field.

Smith noted that the parks staff does some of this work now at special events. For example, someone is on hand to greet people when they arrive to a special event held at a park, and to take care of any details that need to be handled. It’s a way that the parks staff can respond to issues in a timely way, Smith said, rather than waiting for residents to call in a problem.

Tim Doyle suggested that the rangers wear more formal uniforms, saying this would create a kind of “sentinel effect.” He joked that it wouldn’t hurt to carry a squirt gun too. Smith quipped that perhaps they could plan a fashion show at the next PAC meeting.

Communications & Commentary

Every meeting includes opportunities for public commentary and communications from commissioners and staff. Two people spoke during time allocated for public commentary at the Feb. 28 meeting.

Comm/Comm: Public Commentary – Preserving Parkland

George Gaston indicated that he’d spoken at other PAC meetings. Several years ago, the community strongly supported a proposal to protect parkland, he said. [Gaston was referring to a voter-approved city charter amendment, which prohibits the sale of city parkland unless approved by voters.] That proved inadequate, he said, as evidenced by efforts to develop Huron Hills golf course and Fuller Road Station. [Fuller Road Station was a proposed joint project between the city and the University of Michigan. Its first stage was a large parking structure, but UM withdrew from that partnership last month.] Gaston urged commissioners to close the loopholes and protect the city’s parks, calling them a great asset.

He described the new bypass at Argo Dam as wonderful, saying he’s already seen kayakers using it and having fun. Parks are parks, not public land, he said. When the city wants voters to approve a millage, the city refers to the land as parkland, he noted. But when city officials want to develop the land, they call it public land. Gaston asked commissioners to protect parkland now and in the future.

Saying she echoed Gaston’s comments, Rita Mitchell noted that projects totally unrelated to parkland have been proposed on parkland, like the Fuller Road Station at Fuller Park. She said she was asking PAC to uphold the principle of using parkland for parks. She said 80% of voters had supported the charter amendment to prohibit the sale of parkland without a voter referendum. She urged commissioners to protect parks and keep them as people in the community intended.

Comm/Comm: Manager’s Report – Argo Cascades

Parks manager Colin Smith reported that during the week of March 12, the city will begin to install the new pedestrian bridge at the end of the Argo Dam bypass. PAC had recommended approval of the new bridge, along with other project changes, at its Aug. 16, 2011 meeting, and the changes were subsequently approved by the city council. [.pdf of Argo headrace design and bridge info]

Because of the construction, the recently renovated bypass will be temporarily closed, Smith said. A stoplog will be put in to stop the flow of water into the bypass – the bridge will likely take a couple of weeks to install. Then in early April, parks staff plan to install a rubber guide in one of the series of drop pools in the bypass, Smith said. The intent is to make the drops easier to navigate. If that guide seems to be effective, others might be installed later.

The path along the bypass is expected to be paved later in April, with the end in sight for the entire project by May. Smith said PAC will get a presentation in March or April regarding all the improvements, programming and marketing for the bypass area.

Smith also reported that based on a survey that yielded about 600 responses, Argo Cascades will be the new name for the bypass.

John Lawter asked about the whitewater portion of the project. By way of background, the original renovation of the Argo Dam bypass had included construction of a stretch of whitewater in the section of the Huron River next to the bypass. DTE Energy subsequently offered to pay for the whitewater feature of the project – about $180,000 – if the city agreed to hold off on construction of that piece until after DTE completes environmental remediation on its nearby property, as required by the state.

Smith reported that DTE has submitted a remediation plan to the state, but the whitewater feature won’t be built this year. The Argo livery is expected to open in early May, with a grand opening for the new bypass expected sometime later this year. The Gallup Pond livery will open April 14.

Comm/Comm: Manager’s Report – Millage Renewal

Smith noted that the six-year, 1.1 mill parks maintenance and capital improvements millage will be coming up for renewal this fall. Staff has already started working on it, gathering materials in preparation for a March 12 city council working session. PAC will be briefed at their March 20 meeting, and there will be several public forums as well after that. A recommendation for renewal will likely be considered by PAC in July, with the council making a decision in August about putting it on the November ballot. “We’re certainly starting to work on that quite heavily,” he said.

The millage was most recently deliberated by PAC at its May 2011 meeting, in the context of budget allocations and how millage proceeds are spent. See Chronicle coverage: “Council to Get Reminder of Parks Promise.”

Comm/Comm: Manager’s Report – Market Manager

In his final communication, Smith reported that the city’s market manager, Molly Notarianni, will be leaving that job at the end of March. She’s been with the city for about four years, he said, and has been extremely enthusiastic about her work and has taken initiative to improve the market. She’ll be missed, he said.

The city has already posted the job and he hopes to get someone on board quickly, Smith said. According to the posting, the job has a minimum salary of $38,082 with a midpoint of $48,793. In the interim, the work will be handled by Jessica Black, parks and recreation customer service manager. Smith noted that Black ran the market before Notarianni joined the staff. He told commissioners that if they see Notarianni in the coming weeks, “wish her well and thank her, please.”

Comm/Comm: Commissioner Updates – Rec & Ed

Tim Berla, who’s also a member of the city’s recreation advisory commission (RAC), reported that Ann Arbor Rec & Ed is excited about the city’s upcoming work on the ballfields. [See Chronicle coverage: "Major Renovations of City Ballfields Planned."]

Berla also reported that long-time Rec & Ed director Sara Aeschbach will be retiring this summer. He described her as a rock, and someone who provided exemplary public service. There’s been a lot of turnover in the city parks management, he noted, but Aeschbach has provided stability at Rec & Ed over the years. [Rec & Ed is a unit of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, but works closely with the city parks staff.] Berla hoped someone equally good would be hired to replace her.

Comm/Comm: Commissioner Updates – Sustainability

Gwen Nystuen reminded commissioners about the upcoming sustainability forums. As part of a broader sustainability project, the city scheduled four forums this year, one per month, starting in January. All forums are held at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library building, 343 S. Fifth Ave. starting at 7 p.m. [See Chronicle coverage: "Sustaining Ann Arbor's Environmental Quality" and "Land Use, Transit Factor into Sustainability"]

The two remaining forums are:

• March 8, 2012: Climate and Energy – including an overview of Ann Arbor’s climate action plan, climate impacts, renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency and conservation.
• April 12, 2012: Community – including housing, public safety, public art, recreation, outreach, civic engagement, and stewardship of community resources.

All forums are being videotaped by AADL staff. The videos will be posted on the library’s website. Additional background on the Ann Arbor sustainability initiative is on the city’s website.

The four forums reflect categories in a framework that the city is developing to organize its existing goals as they relate to sustainability. The project, which began earlier this year, is being led by Jamie Kidwell and funded by a $95,000 grant the city received from the Home Depot Foundation. Four city commissions – park, planning, energy and environmental – participated in a Sept. 27, 2011 joint working session focused on prioritizing existing goals for the city that touch on sustainability issues. [For additional background, see Chronicle coverage of Kidwell's briefing at the Nov. 15 park advisory commission meeting.]

PAC chair Julie Grand reported that the parks perspective will be represented at the April 12 forum.

Grand also serves on a committee that’s developing the sustainability goals. Draft goals were presented at the Feb. 9 sustainability forum. Tim Berla said he’d seen the draft goals and they seemed generic. He wondered if there would be more details associated with each goal at some point. Karen Levin, who serves on the sustainability committee with Grand, said the idea is to have 15 broader goals, then develop more detailed objectives and targets for each goal. Grand added that by highlighting this smaller set of goals, the intent is not to negate all of the other goals that have been set by the city.

A public forum to discuss the goals is also scheduled for March 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library building’s fourth floor conference room.

Present: David Barrett, Tim Berla, Tim Doyle, Julie Grand, Karen Levin, Gwen Nystuen, John Lawter, Sam Offen, councilmember Mike Anglin (ex-officio), councilmember Christopher Taylor (ex-officio). Also Colin Smith, city parks manager.

Absent: Doug Chapman.

Next meeting: PAC’s meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 begins at 4 p.m. in the city hall second-floor council chambers, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor. [confirm date]

The Chronicle survives in part through regular voluntary subscriptions to support our coverage of public bodies like the Ann Arbor park advisory commission. If you’re already supporting The Chronicle, please encourage your friends, neighbors and coworkers to do the same. Click this link for details: Subscribe to The Chronicle.

Fonson submitted the second lowest of 10 bids. The contract includes a $786,536 base bid plus a $78,654 (10%) contingency for possible change orders. Funding would come from the park maintenance and capital improvements millage, as well as the park rehabilitation and development millage. According to a staff memo, the lowest bid received was from Pranam Global Tech for $499,000. However, no paving subcontractors were listed and no testing fees were included, which were both requirements of the bid.

Among other things, Fonson’s work would include resurfacing the road, expanding the parking lot at Cobblestone for about 15 spaces, and creating a pedestrian pathway system. The project also includes stormwater management features, such as a bioswale, porous pavement, and stormwater basins to improve water quality.

This brief was filed from the PAC meeting in the second-floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]