Aerial view of Bloch/Vreeland property in Superior Township. Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission approved the purchase of a conservation easement on this parcel. (Image from WCPARC board packet.)

Action included approving the purchase of a conservation easement on 129 acres in Superior Township – fronting Vreeland and Leforge roads – for $613,500. Purchase of another easement was authorized for $95,731 on the Rogers parcel, 157 acres in York Township.

Commissioners also heard an update on the proposed agreement between WCPARC and the city of Ypsilanti that would result in WCPARC building a new recreation center on 4.1 acres of land in the Water Street redevelopment area, next to the Huron River. Some of the changes in the draft agreement came at the request of the Ann Arbor YMCA, which is partnering on the project and would operate the center. The goal is to complete construction by late 2016.

Grant applications for WCPARC’s Connecting Communities initiative were reviewed. Requests from four townships and the village of Manchester totaled $1.35 million. That’s far greater than the $600,000 available for the grant program, which was created to build non-motorized trails across the county. Commissioners will decide at their March 11 meeting how to award the grants.

During public commentary, three residents spoke to the commission about the ill effects of over-abundant deer in the county, and urged WCPARC to address the situation.

The commission also welcomed its newest member to the group: Dan Ezekiel, a science teacher at Ann Arbor Public Schools and former chair of the Ann Arbor greenbelt advisory commission. One of the longest-serving commissioners – labor leader Fred Veigel, who has represented the county road commission on WCPARC – didn’t attend the meeting because of ill health. He died on March 2.

Natural Areas Preservation Program

The county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP) is funded by a 10-year countywide millage of 0.2409 mills, which brings in about $3 million annually. Voters renewed the millage most recently in 2010, through 2020. The program enables WCPARC to purchase land worth preserving because of its natural features, and to purchase development rights on agricultural land.

The Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) advises WCPARC on natural areas acquisitions. The Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee advises WCPARC on the purchase of development rights for agricultural land.

NAPP: Bloch/Vreeland Road Property

Tom Freeman, retired WCPARC deputy director who now serves as a consultant, presented a report to support his recommendation, and that of ALPAC, that WCPARC purchase a conservation easement on the Bloch property – 129 acres in Superior Township at the southeast corner of the LeForge and Vreeland Roads. [.pdf of staff memo]

At their meeting on Dec. 10, 2013, commissioners had authorized staff to prepare a purchase offer for the conservation easement.

Freeman highlighted what he and NATAC found as the most valuable features. First, although the land is primarily in active agricultural use, it holds a seasonal stream that flows into the nearby west section of WCPARC’s Meyer Preserve, and has wetlands along Vreeland Road on the north edge of the property. Second, preserving the agricultural use of the property will serve to buffer the Meyer Preserve. A farmer will, Freeman said, buy the property and continue to use it for agricultural purposes.

Freeman reported that Bosserd Appraisal Services had valued a conservation easement on the property at $613,500, or $4,750 per acre; that Mannik & Smith group had done a phase 1 environmental assessment and did not identify any significant environmental concerns; and that the county had a boundary survey, legal description, and sealed survey drawing.

NAPP: Bloch/Vreeland Rd. Property – Commission Discussion

Robert Marans, WCPARC  president, asked why this conservation easement was being purchased by NAPP when the land is agricultural. Freeman answered that the existence and importance of the stream justifies using some of the 25% of NAPP’s money that can be used to purchase conservation easements on agricultural land.

Commission member Evan Pratt, who also serves as Washtenaw County water resources commissioner, asked whether WCPARC could require buffers along the stream. Yes, Freeman replied – the easement gives WCPARC the right to work on a management plan using guidelines from the National Resources Conservation Service [formerly known as the U.S. Soil Conservation Service].

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation to purchase a conservation easement on the Bloch/Vreeland Road property in Superior Township for $613,500.

NAPP: Rogers Property

Freeman also made the presentation for this recommendation, supported by ALPAC, to contribute $95,731 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the Rogers family property in York Township. The property consists of three parcels located along the east and west sides of Saline-Milan Road at Judd Road. Together, the parcels comprise 157 acres.

Freeman explained the proposed arrangement. Because the Legacy Land Conservancy already holds easements on other nearby Rogers properties, the conservancy would hold this conservation easement too. The conservancy has obtained an award from the federal Farm and Ranchland Preservation Program (FRPP) for 39% ($88,734) of the price. The owner, Kendall Rogers, is willing to contribute another approximately 19% ($43,859), leaving $95,731, which Freeman recommends WCPARC provide. That amount works out to $1,449 per acre.

The justification for the purchase is to increase the total amount of protected acreage in the area to 725 acres. Freeman explained that WCPARC could set guidelines for the owner to ensure that the use of the land continues to be a positive influence on water quality.

NAPP: Rogers Property – Commission Discussion

Discussion focused on the details of the financial arrangement, and the question of why conservancy, which is not contributing anything to the proposed purchase, would hold the easement.

Freeman explained that WCPARC staff and ALPAC agreed to that arrangement because the Legacy Land Conservancy already holds easements on nearby properties, and because that nonprofit had obtained the FRPP grant, which would contribute toward the purchase price. Should the conservancy cease to exist, Freeman assured the commission, the easement would go to WCPARC.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation that WCPARC contribute $95,731 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the 157 acres of Rogers Property in York township, said conservation easement to be held by Legal Land Conservancy.

East County Recreation Center

A proposal to build a new recreation center on the east side of Washtenaw County, in downtown Ypsilanti, began over two years ago. It contemplates a partnership between the city of Ypsilanti and WCPARC in which the city would supply the property and WCPARC would provide the building. The Ann Arbor Y would then contract with WCPARC to manage the center, which would be located on part of the 38-acre Water Street redevelopment area. [For additional background, see Chronicle coverage from WCPARC's Dec. 10, 2013 meeting.]

Coy Vaughn, WCPARC’s deputy director, presented a summary of the proposed purchase and development agreement between the city of Ypsilanti and WCPARC. Commissioners had been briefed on the basic features of the agreement at their Dec. 10, 2013 meeting.

This was not an action item for WCPARC, but rather a review of the basic terms of the agreement and the changes under consideration. [.pdf of staff memo and draft agreement]

Vaughn reminded commissioners that there would be a second agreement, between WCPARC and the Ann Arbor YMCA, for the Y to manage the rec center after WCPARC builds it. Some of the proposed changes came at the request of the Y, he said.

Vaughn’s presentation reviewed what he had detailed in December:

• Exact location and size of the parcel: 4.1 acres on the northwest corner of Water Street site, adjacent to Michigan Avenue and the Huron River, plus a 100-foot greenway.
• Purchase price: $1, plus WCPARC’s contribution of infrastructure worth a total of about $900,000, including a border-to-border trail worth $650,000.
• Size and orientation of the building: 45,000-50,000 square feet on Michigan Avenue with no more than a 10 foot setback. Pedestrian access across the site to the river.
• The proposed site plan and building design: Building at least 35 feet tall; entrances from the parking lot, from Michigan Ave., and from the B2B trail.
• Timeline for approvals, permits, and construction: Allows 270 days to secure all governmental approvals and closing within 30 days of approvals; termination clause if WCPARC can’t secure approvals or is not satisfied with the condition of property. Construction to start within 6 months of closing and be complete within two years.
• Plan for infrastructure development beyond the parcel footprint: Vaughn stressed the flexibility to modify the parcel configuration and infrastructure, if opportunities arise to coordinate with a developer.
• Roles and responsibilities: the city of Ypsilanti will maintain the linear park and trail. WCPARC will build Parsons Street and Water Street.
• Terms of parcel transfer, and legal responsibilities for the development and opening of the recreation facility were also outlined.

Vaughn also briefly described the proposed changes to the agreement. Highlights included putting parking in the rear of the site; constructing all streets to city standards, including sidewalk and street trees; providing appropriate easements for pedestrian access across site; allowing flexibility for parking configuration and number of spaces; inserting language to prohibit future fitness centers on the site (a restrictive covenant); and adding a requirement to follow the local zoning ordinance.

East County Recreation Center – Commission Discussion

Discussion began with the proposed requirement to follow local zoning ordinances, with Vaughn saying that the county’s legal counsel had problems with it.

Dan Smith – a Republican who also serves as a county commissioner, representing District 2 – pointed out that the county doesn’t have to follow city zoning codes. These issues often relate back to costs, he said, because zoning compliance can add to the project’s costs. All taxpayers across the county will incur costs for this recreation center, he added, “and I’m not keen on it costing more to make Ypsi happy.” He was hesitant to agree that the county would unequivocally commit to following the city’s zoning.

WCPARC director Bob Tetens indicated that the entire Water Street site would probably be a planned unit development (PUD). [This type of zoning designation is in a sense customized, with zoning agreements developed specifically for a particular project. More information about Ypsilanti’s zoning map and ordinances is available on the city's website.]

Discussion then turned to timing. Tetens said he had talked to the YMCA, and it’s important to them to have a soft opening in December 2016 and the real opening in January 2017 for maximum membership. To achieve that, he continued, “We have to get going in the next two to three months.”

Commission member Jan Anschuetz asked whether WCPARC would put a proposal on the ballot this year for renewal of the county’s 10-year parks & rec operations millage. Tetens said yes, but that a proposal has not yet gone to the county board of commissioners. Any millage or bonding proposal must be put on the ballot by the county board.

The countywide parks & rec operations millage is a 10-year, quarter-mill tax that was first approved in November 1978, and subsequently renewed in 1984, 1994, and 2004. The current millage expires on Dec. 1, 2016. Typically, a renewal proposal is put on the ballot two years before the existing millage expires. Tetens indicated that it’s important to know if that millage funding will be available, prior to building the east county rec center.

As for the rec center, Tetens indicated there was no need to seek board approval until after bids for the project were in, likely next year. Waiting until next year also would “get it away from an election year, so it will not be a hot potato,” he said. Finally, he explained that the project needs hard numbers before being presented to the board.

Bob Marans – a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning – brought up the issue of architect selection for this major project. Vaughn said that staff were thinking of a national search. Tetens added that there would be multiple presentations from potential architects, and that there would probably be teams of architects with different specialties.

Tetens said the agreement with the YMCA had to be finalized, with the help of a person from the national Y who looks at the numbers and helps with the agreement. He hopes to have a memo of understanding with the Y before WCPARC’s March meeting. All of these items will come back to the March WCPARC meeting.

Outcome: This was not a voting item.

Connecting Communities

Commissioners received a separate packet consisting of a background memo on the Connecting Communities program, and copies of five applications for funding, which covered six proposed projects. [.pdf of staff memo] [.pdf of applications]

WCPARC members Dan Ezekiel and Bob Marans.

According to the staff memo, in May 2009 WCPARC authorized the Connecting Communities initiative, through which it would make up to $600,000 available annually from 2010 through 2014 – a total of $3 million – toward the cost of eligible trail projects. According to the memo, “eligible projects will be those that accomplish the Commission’s primary objective of providing valuable non-motorized connections between communities and activity centers, offering a healthy alternative for recreation, transportation, fitness, and energy conservation.” Grant recipients have two years to fulfill any contingencies, such as acquiring grants from other organizations.

By way of background specific to Ann Arbor, the city was granted $300,000 in 2013 (of total cost of $1 million) for 1,500 feet of trail, part of a project for the “development of pathways, storm water features to improve the quality of Allen Creek…on property which will serve as a trailhead for the proposed Allen Creek Greenway.” The site includes city property at 721 N. Main. Paths will connect Felch Street to both North Main and west Summit Street. The proposal stated that the city would also apply for a match from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MDNRTF), and that the city would consider using the adopt-a-park program to help maintain the facility. The grant required success with the MDNRTF, but the city’s application in 2013 failed. The city has another year to try again.

WCPARC developed criteria for selecting projects, which include 10 primary considerations. Among those considerations are projects that provide important links between communities, parks and other points of interest, that are adjacent to waterways, or that are major multi-jurisdictional efforts. There are 14 types of projects that generally are not eligible, such as trails solely within existing local parks.

Applicants must document a compelling need for a project, and there are six criteria that are used to evaluate the projects. For example, projects are evaluated based on whether they directly relate to the county’s important natural features, such as a river. The Huron River corridor is WCPARC’s highest priority. Five secondary criteria – such as land availability, or the likelihood of funding from other sources – are then applied to high-ranking projects.

The process for selecting projects to be funded involves a staff review of the applications. The projects are then presented to the Greenways Advisory Committee, which provides input that staff uses to prioritize the applications and make recommendations to WCPARC for final approval.

Connecting Communities: Summary of Applications

The applications for 2014 include:

• Ann Arbor Township: $300,000 (of total cost of $1.2 million) for two miles of pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting Parker Mill and Plymouth Road along Dixboro Road, to connect to the Parker Mill trail at Geddes and Dixboro on the south, and the proposed trail from Plymouth/Dixboro to Main Street/Cherry Hill on the north. The application states that other confirmed project funders include $600,000 in private donor matching funds; and potential project funders include the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Washtenaw County Road Commission, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation alternatives program, and additional private donors. The township has received no previous grants from the Connecting Communities program.
• Village of Manchester: $150,000 (of $225,000 total cost) to improve an existing rail bed owned by the village into a walking/biking trail traversing the entire community and linking several parks, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. The 13.4 acres of village-owned land has a value of at least $200,000. The Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation will provide $100,000, and the Kiwanis Club of Manchester another $2,000. Potential additional funders include community fundraising and private donations; and grants such as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21); Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Surface Transportation Program (STP), which are both programs of the Federal Highway Administration in the federal Dept. of Transportation; and the Rails to Trails Conservancy. The village has received no previous Connecting Communities grants.
• Northfield Township: $260,000 (of $600,000 total cost) for 2,925 feet of trail along Barker Road in Whitmore Lake, connecting Whitmore Lake’s downtown with the Northfield Township Library and Whitmore Lake Elementary School. This is the third phase of a project that received $120,000 in 2010 and $250,000 in 2011. Other confirmed project funders are $60,000 from Northfield Township, $60,000 from the Whitmore Lake Downtown Development Authority, $1,000 from the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and $1,000 from the Kiwanis.
• Pittsfield Township: $400,000 (of total cost of $1.9 million) for 1.8 miles of trail, phase 2 of the Lohr-Textile greenway, extending it east from the corner of Lohr and Textile, on Textile, to the Marshview Meadow Park and the Pittsfield Preserve. Grants from WCPARC’s Connecting Communities project to the township were $300,000 in 2010; $290,000 in 2011; and $150,000 in 2013. Other potential project funders include MDNRTF ($300,000) and MDOT/SEMCOG ($1,064,708). Other confirmed funding is from Pittsfield Township (up to $400,000); and MDOT/SEMCOG ($1,064,708).
• Ypsilanti Township: $240,000 for two projects totaling 3,032 feet (total cost of $240,000). One project (2,032 feet) would run along the east side of Tuttle Hill Road from Textile Road north across South Huron River Drive and into Ford Lake Park. The other (1,000 feet) would run on the south side of Textile from just east of South Huron River Drive to the entrance of Lakeview mobile homes. The township received $100,000 in 2010 and $250,000 in 2011, and has pledged $80,000 for project engineering.

Connecting Communities – Commission Discussion

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz commented on how difficult it would be to decide which projects get funded. She noted the popularity of new trails in Dexter, and asked whether WCPARC should authorize an extension to the Connecting Communities program.

WCPARC director Bob Tetens replied that all surveys show an 80% approval for trails. He said it would be worth discussing whether to continue the program, but noted that there are many elements to consider, such as the millage renewal and the retirement of debt on the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center proposed east county recreation center.

Outcome: There was no vote. WCPARC staff expects to make recommendations to the commission at the March 11, 2014 meeting.

Communications & Commentary

Each WCPARC meeting includes opportunities for public commentary, as well as various communications from staff and commissioners. Here are some highlights.

Communications & Commentary: Deer Damage

There is seldom public commentary at WCPARC meetings, although time is set aside at the start of each meeting for that purpose. Three people attended the February meeting, giving a coordinated presentation to call WCPARC’s attention to the great damage being done by white tailed deer to the natural environment – flora, fauna, and water quality – which it is WCPARC’s mission to protect.

From left: Maurita Holland and Andrea Matthies.

The first speaker was Toni Spears of Webster Township, making a second visit to talk to WCPARC about deer management in natural areas. She reminded the commission that its mission is to manage its land for the benefit of all native species and to maintain a diverse native plant population in the whole complex ecosystem. The Leonard Preserve, she said, had a deer population of over 200 per square mile, and the area from which deer are excluded has significantly more diverse life than the rest. [The Leonard Preserve is the county’s largest natural area, with 259 acres and a mile of the Raisin River.]

Outside of the deer exclosure, deer browsing on native plants has allowed invasives to thrive, frustrating WCPARC’s ability to eliminate invasives. Noting that the Huron-Clinton Metro Parks have protocols for deer management, Spears asked WCPARC to develop a long-term sustainable deer management program. She suggested starting with an assessment of the deer population this winter and developing a target level, perhaps starting with one natural area, culling the herd, and donating the harvest to those in need. “We know others will disagree,” she concluded, “but we are animal rights activists for all species. We want all to thrive. We want you to manage your property for the health of all native flora and fauna. The deer deserve to be in a healthy ecosystem.”

Andrea Matthies, the second speaker, owns five acres in Scio Township and is a master rain gardener. [Matthies is current chair of the Ann Arbor chapter of WildOnes.] She spoke of her unfulfilled hope, when she moved to the property, to create a paradise for native small mammals and birds. The deer, she said, are numerous and utterly fearless. She hired people to bow hunt and in the last 15 years the hunters have killed 100 deer on her five acres. She pointed out the damage done by car-deer collisions and Lyme disease, which she said is a major problem in every county in the state and more serious than most people think. [The Centers for Disease Control reports three cases in Michigan in 2003, increasing to a probable 98 cases in 2012.] The third danger deer pose is to spread chronic wasting disease, she said. [The state of Michigan has a website on CWD.]

The third speaker, Maurita Holland, is a master gardener and master rain gardener who once lived on 15 acres near Ann Arbor. She said she would invite hunters to cull deer there. She now lives in Ann Arbor’s northwest side on property through which Newport Creek runs. Her concerns include water quality. She noted that deer destroyed her rain garden last summer, which is especially unfortunate because her land drains 20 acres of neighboring land and the deer have ruined her efforts to filter the runoff.

In addition to eating her native plantings, the deer browse viburnum, and nine deer bed down in her yard. They eat holly through the netting she hoped would keep them away; since they can’t digest it, they vomit it. A deer died in her yard this year and she paid $300 for its removal. Deer dug up daffodil bulbs right after she planted them, even though they won’t eat daffodils. Holland closed by reminding WCPARC that county residents want protection, preservation, and management of natural resources and improvement of water quality. She asked: “Can we work together to accomplish some of these important goals?”

Communications & Commentary: Deer Damage – Commission Discussion

Bob Marans began by stating that the county board of commissioners is beginning to address this issue. Dan Smith, who also serves on the county board, added that there would be a working session on issues about deer, with a presentation by Timothy Wilson from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. [That session occurred on Feb. 20, 2014.]

Marans added that the Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority has done a survey and will do more. Jan Anschuetz raised a new issue in response to the concept of sharpshooters or bow hunters culling the herd: Is it legal to hunt on county land?

As background, county ordinance 128  – which established the NAPP program and assigned WCPARC to manage NAPP – begins with a “declaration of purpose” that includes this statement: “Passive recreation would be appropriate use of this land.”

The section on definitions includes this statement:

“Passive Recreation” means walking, jogging, bird watching, nature studies, quiet picnicking and other quiet inactive pastimes.

The discussion at WCPARC included some speculation about whether culling the herd would be “hunting,” or whether it would be carrying out the requisite “stewardship” of the land in the manner suggested by the three speakers.

Marans said he was anxious to know what the board of commissioners is thinking. He indicated that he’d like to know more about this from staff at the next meeting, and to know what the managers of the natural areas think.

Outcome: This was not a voting item.

Communications & Commentary: New, Outgoing Commissioners

Bob Marans invited the newest commission member, Dan Ezekiel, to talk about his expectations. Ezekiel expressed delight at joining WCPARC, adding that no one can replace Nelson Meade. [Meade, who has served on WCPARC from its formation in 1973, retired in December of 2013.]

Ezekiel said he has followed WCPARC by reading reports in The Chronicle, and that he has worked with Tom Freeman in the past. [Ezekiel formerly served on the Ann Arbor greenbelt advisory commission. He was appointed to WCPARC at the county board's Jan. 22, 2014 meeting.] Ezekiel described himself as an intrepid biker who commutes daily, with gloves and studded tires.

Jan Anschuetz thanked WCPARC staff for the wonderful party to honor Nelson Meade.

Communications & Commentary: Misc. Issues

Commission members discussed a letter that some of them, but not all, had received from residents along Jennings Road, which leads to Independence Lake Park. Concerns in the letter included the safety, trees, and drainage related to work the county road commission will undertake. Evan Pratt, who also serves as the county’s water resources commissioner, described the drainage problems caused by the soil, which is makes handling stormwater difficult and requires a ditch.

Marans reported that he, Anschuetz and Pratt will meet with deputy director Coy Vaughn to discuss the goals and objectives for WCPARC’s five-year revised master plan.

Financial Reports

Each month, staff provide several different financial reports to WCPARC, focused on the past month’s expenses (the claims report), monthly and year-to-date reports on expenses and revenues in the form of fund balance reports, and a listing of major non-recurring expenses when they are significant.

There are separate reports on parks and facilities, and on the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), which includes preservation of agricultural lands. Each of these has its own, separate funding, although WCPARC administers all of these programs.

Because there was no January meeting, the February meeting received reports for the last month of the 2013 fiscal year, and for January, the first month of the 2014 fiscal year. [WCPARC’s fiscal year is the calendar year.]

Financial Reports: Claims Report

Parks and facilities paid a total of $350,649 in December, and $86,343 in January. Most of those expenses were for capital improvements, primarily at the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks, plus a $75,000 contribution to Ypsilanti’s Rutherford Pool project.

NAPP claims far exceeded that with $1,445,807 in December, but only $1,390 in January. The NAPP expenses were almost entirely the cost of completing previously approved purchases of the Carr, Lippert, and Ramsey properties, a total of 235 acres in Northfield Township. [.pdf of NAPP claims]

Total expenses in December 2013 were $1,796,456; and $87,733 in January 2014. [.pdf of December 2013 claims] [.pdf of January 2014 claims]

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – Parks and Recreation

WCPARC director Bob Tetens introduced this report by saying that the fund balance was in good shape – revenues exceeded the budget, and expenses were 89% of what was budgeted.

The fund balance started the year at $12,950,815. As of Dec. 31, 2013, revenue totaled $9,917,338 – primarily from property taxes ($6,462,980) and fees and services ($3,384,207). Expenses for the year were $12,346,903. In addition, the parks budget includes an operating reserve of $6.7 million and ”partnership” funding commitments of $925,000. The projected fund balance at the end of December was $3,146,250. [.pdf of December 2013 parks & rec fund balance]

January 2014 began with a fund balance of $10,521, 250. [This is the total of the $3,146,250 fund balance on Dec. 31, 2013, plus the $6.7 million operating reserve and the $675,000 committed to funding partnerships.] Revenue as of Jan. 31, 2014 was $1,044,922 with expenses of $309,048. The operating reserve for 2014 is $6.7 million, and the funding commitments for partnerships is $820,000. [.pdf of January 2014 parks & rec fund balance]

The projected fund balance at the end of 2014 is $3,737,124.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – NAPP

The December report showed a Jan. 1, 2013 fund balance of $10,263,644. Through Dec. 31, 2013, revenue was $3,547,655  and expenses were $6,615,388. The projected fund balance for NAPP at the end of 2013 was $7,195,911. [.pdf of December 2013 NAPP fund balance]

The January report started with the fund balance of $7,195,911 and showed revenue of $453,208. Expenses totaled $27,474, for a projected fund balance at the end of 2014 of $7,621,645. [.pdf of January 2014 NAPP fund balance]

There was no substantive discussion of the reports.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously voted to receive, accept, and file the financial reports.

Recreation Reports

These monthly reports include attendance at WCPARC facilities where attendance can be counted, with information about participation in measurable activities and revenue received at those facilities. The reports include the current year-to-date summary as well as similar information for the prior two years.

Recreation Reports: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

In December at the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, year-to-date participation as of Dec. 31, 2013 was 322,999 and revenue was $1,2274.466. In 2012, year-to-date participation was 324,817 and revenue was $1,163,354. In 2011, participation was 339,946 and revenue was $1,244,466.

As of Jan. 31, 2014, participation was 28,311 and revenue was $144,393. In 2012, the comparable numbers were 33,151 and $156,018. In 2012, participate was 34,901 with revenue of $142,232. [.pdf of MLM rec center report]

Recreation Reports: Pierce Lake Golf Course

As of the end of December 2013, 17,021 people had paid greens fees totaling $373,131 at Pierce Lake Golf Course. In 2012, the golf course served 19,278 people with revenues $399,049. In 2011, attendance was 15,836 with revenues of $346,049. [.pdf of Pierce Lake report]

Programming and retail operations brought in $590,975 in 2013. That compares to $110,589 in 2012; and $89,523 in 2011. Thus, total revenue in 2013 was $590,975, compared to $614,620 in 2012 and $526,501 in 2011.

There was no report for January 2014.

Recreation Reports: Rolling Hills Park and Water Park

There is an entrance fee, and gate count, for everyone who enters Rolling Hills Park. There is a separate fee, and gate count, for those who go on to enter the water park there. [.pdf of Rolling Hills report]

As of Dec. 31, 2013, 30,attendance was 836 with revenues of $241,038 for Rolling Hills Park. That compares to attendance of 34,786 people in 2012 and revenues of $268,288. In 2011, attendance was 34,844 with $267,130 in revenues.

The water park recorded higher attendance: 94,266 people bringing in $715,239 in 2013; 114,522 people in 2012 and revenues of $780,122; and 115,012 people in 2011 with revenues of $780,995.

Total revenue for all operations at Rolling Hills was $1,205,355 in 2013; $1,322,531 in 2012; and $1,310,515 in 2011. There was no report for January 2014.

Recreation Reports: Independence Lake Park and Blue Heron Bay

Blue Heron Bay is a water-feature area separate from the rest of Independence Lake Park. Because Blue Heron Bay opened in 2013, there are no comparisons to earlier years. [.pdf of Independence Lake/Heron Bay report]

As of Dec. 31, 2013, attendance was 15,437 with revenues of $122,363 for Independence Lake Park. In 2012, attendance was 17,743 with $137,217 in revenues; compared to 2011 attendance of 157,019 and revenues of $132,602.

Attendance at Blue Heron Bay was 17,668, for $69,787 in revenues. Total revenue for all of Independence Lake Park was, through December, $295,718 in 2013; $211,578 in 2012; and $209,960 in 2011. There was no report for January 2014.

Outcome: The recreation reports were received and accepted for filing unanimously.

Projects and Activities

Staff of WCPARC provide monthly updates to commissioners about ongoing improvements at facilities, and activities at parks and natural areas. Some of this information is provided in writing in the board packet; more is provided with visuals and informal commentary. This report summarizes the most significant items at the February meeting.

• Rolling Hills Park: Construction bid documents to repair the Lazy River’s water leaks, drain cover compliance changes, and reconstruction of the stairs to Slide Mountain have been released and bids were due on Feb. 18. Eight bids were received to repair concrete walkways throughout the water park, and staff is reviewing the three lowest bids.
• Ann Arbor skatepark: City of Ann Arbor staff had scheduled a meeting with the contractor for Feb. 18, 2014, to develop a timetable for the remaining construction work. A grand opening for June 21, 2014 is in the planning stages.
• Staebler Farm: Staff began preparation of an application to the DNR for an Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant to develop the northern portion of the farm as a recreation-based park.
• Border to Border Trail (B2B): The Michigan Dept. of Transportation is reviewing staff plans for the final 1/8-mile of the River Terrace Trail in Dexter. The project agreement for the MNRTF 2011 grant to the city of Ypsilanti to bridge the Huron River, cross Michigan Ave., and construct a fishing pier and connecting trails was executed, and WCPARC authorized design of the bridge and crossing. The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) continues to lead the effort to produce revised and new maps for the B2B trail route.
• Natural areas stewardship: A conservation plan for the agricultural portion of the Trinkle Marsh Preserve is in preparation for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• WCPARC master plan: Staff have completed a preliminary draft and will hold public meetings in Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea, and Saline in April.

Officer Elections

The nominations committee – Nelson Meade, Evan Pratt, and Rolland Sizemore Jr. – nominated Robert Marans to continue as president and Patricia Scribner as vice president. Jan Anschuetz was nominated as the new secretary-treasurer, replacing Nelson Meade, who retired from WCPARC in December 2013.

There were no competing nominations.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously elected their slate of officers.

Present: Jan Anschuetz, Janis Bobrin, Dan Ezekiel, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Evan Pratt, Patricia Scribner, Conan Smith, and Dan Smith.

Absent: Rolland Sizemore Jr., Fred Veigel.

Staff: Director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Next meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor.

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Map of showing the location of 82 acres of mostly agricultural land in Superior Township that the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission is preserving through a conservation easement.

The new parcel of mostly agricultural land, on the north side of Ford Road a bit east of Berry Road, is owned by Ford Road Property Company LLC. The intent is to provide a buffer between Ford Road and the land that WCPARC previously purchased, as well as Superior Township’s nearby Schroeter Park. WCPARC authorized purchase of the easement for $413,000, which will prevent the land from being developed.

In a separate vote, commissioners authorized moving ahead on the purchase of 10 acres in Bridgewater Township – located near the southern border of Washtenaw County on the south side of WCPARC’s 43-acre Riverbend Preserve. Commissioners approved the preparation of a purchase offer of $92,500 contingent on completing all necessary due diligence and WCPARC’s final approval.

Also on Oct. 8, WCPARC director Bob Tetens provided an update on the proposed recreation center near downtown Ypsilanti, a project that WCPARC began almost two years ago. The proposal is to build a multi-purpose recreation center on part of the 38-acre Water Street redevelopment area on the south side of Michigan Avenue, next to the Huron River. The project would be a partnership, with the city providing the land, the county constructing the building, and the facility to be managed by the Ann Arbor YMCA.

Ypsilanti mayor Paul Schreiber attended the Oct. 8 meeting, to emphasize the city’s strong support for this project. Discussion focused on possible changes to the design developed by a team of University of Michigan architects and students. The need to make changes arose from the city of Ypsilanti’s 2013 master planning and rezoning project, which is nearing completion.

In addition to the regular financial reports and updates, other actions at the Oct. 8 meeting included approving WCPARC’s participation in Pittsfield Township’s State Road corridor improvement authority. The CIA to improve State Road would entail capturing a percentage of taxes from several local entities, including taxes that support WCPARC.

Natural Areas Preservation Program

Nearly every WCPARC meeting includes discussion or action related to the county’s natural areas preservation program. NAPP is funded by a 10-year countywide millage of 0.2409 mills, which brings in about $3 million annually. Voters renewed the millage most recently in 2010, through 2020. The program enables WCPARC to buy land worth preserving because of its natural features, and to purchase development rights on agricultural land.

The Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) advises WCPARC on acquisitions for nature preserves. The Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee advises WCPARC on the purchase of development rights, primarily for farmland.

NAPP: Ford Road Property

Tom Freeman, former WCPARC deputy director who now serves as a consultant for the natural areas preservation program, made a presentation about the property on Ford Road. He reminded commissioners that this proposal was related to WCPARC’s February 2013 acquisition of several nearby parcels, totaling 67 acres.

From left: Nelson Meade and Fred Veigel of the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission’s Oct. 8, 2013 meeting. (Photos by the writer.)

Ford Road Property Company LLC owns the additional 82 acres, largely agricultural, that are now being considered. NATAC did not recommend outright acquisition of this parcel. Rather, the proposal calls for purchasing a conservation easement so that a farmer could continue to own, use and pay property taxes on the land.

Freeman’s written pointed out highlights of the property, including “a nice perennially wet area along Ford Road, and an old hedge row running down the middle of the property that hasn’t ever been farmed.”

Adjacent areas, he pointed out, include the Kosch preserve, the Superior Greenway, and other properties that are protected by Superior Township. Regarding the land’s topography, Freeman highlighted a significant change in elevation rising up from Ford Road. “It’s a gorgeous piece of property that is also a very productive agricultural site.” He added “We saw a magnificent buck when we last visited.”

Superior Township has provided a letter of support for this deal, Freeman said. He also described the three due diligence steps that WCPARC staff had taken:

• An appraisal by Bosserd Appraisal Services placed a value of $413,000 for a conservation easement on the 82-acre parcel, at $5,037 per acre.
• A phase 1 environmental site assessment prepared by Mannik & Smith Group found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns.
• A boundary survey with legal description and sealed survey drawing was completed.

NAPP: Ford Road Property – Commission Discussion

Commission member Fred Veigel asked about the use of active agricultural fields within properties that NAPP purchases [although this proposal was to purchase a conservation easement, not to buy the land outright]. Freeman responded that when NAPP purchases a property with fields in active use, the intent is to try to keep those fields in active use through a contract with a local farmer. In return for use of the land, the farmer is required to follow an agriculture management plan developed along guidelines established by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Services.

[Responding via email to a follow-up query from The Chronicle, Freeman explained that allowing a field to go fallow often results in invasion by nuisance plants and weeds.]

The conservation easement allows the owner to continue to use the property in a fashion consistent with the terms of the easement, Freeman told commissioners. The Ford Road property will continue to be farmed, he said.

Outcome: On a roll call vote, WCPARC gave unanimous approval to purchase a conservation easement on the 82-acre Ford Road LLC property for $413,000.

NAPP: Dindoffer Property

Freeman also presented the recommendation to take the first step toward purchasing a 10-acre property in Bridgewater Township, near the southwest corner of Washtenaw County on the west side of Allen Road. The property is immediately south of WCPARC’s Riverbend Preserve. [This preserve is not yet equipped with parking for public access. WCPARC issued an RFP (request for proposals) in September 2013 to build a parking lot, bench and overlooks.]

Aerial view of Dindoffer property in Brigewater Township.

Freeman provided background on this proposed purchase. In 2006, the Tackett family nominated the property for consideration by NAPP, but the deal did not move forward. The property subsequently changed hands and the current owners, Johnathan and Kristin Dindoffer, decided to nominate the 10 acres for consideration by NAPP.

Freeman’s report highlighted the desirable qualities of the property: a wetland that’s the source of a seasonal stream running north across the property boundary and then into the River Raisin. “The most significant natural feature,” he continued, “is the frontage along the River Raisin … along the western boundary of the property.”

The land’s immediate adjacency to the Riverbend Preserve would provide a chance to expand the trail network being developed in the preserve. Freeman concluded by stating that an Oct. 2, 2013 Bosserd Appraisal Services assessment put the value of the property at $92,500, or approximately $9,158 per acre.

There was no substantive discussion, although a question about whether there is a house on the property revealed that there is not. The Dindoffers had intended to build on the land but had “decided otherwise,” Freeman said. He added that WCPARC was offering only $2,500 more than the Dindoffers had paid for it – “not enough to cover their taxes,” he said.

Outcome: A unanimous voice vote approved authorizing the WCPARC staff to prepare a purchase offer for the Dindoffer property for $92,500, contingent on completion of all necessary due diligence examination of the property and the commission’s final approval.

East County Recreation Center

During the Oct. 8 meeting, Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber spoke briefly to commissioners about the city’s strong interest in the East County Recreation Center.

By way of background, WCPARC has been working with the city of Ypsilanti, the Ann Arbor YMCA, and faculty and students of the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning to develop a plan for a recreation center in the eastern part of the county. The focus has been on a 12-acre site located within Ypsilanti’s Water Street area, on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of downtown and next to the Huron River. [See Chronicle coverage: "County Pursues Major New Parks & Rec Deal."]

Ypsilanti mayor Paul Schreiber.

On Oct. 8, Schreiber talked about a meeting he’d had with WCPARC president Bob Marans and WCPARC director Bob Tetens. “The city is enthused – we need to keep working on it,” Schreiber told commissioners. “I’m here to facilitate communication. Let’s do it!”

Tetens reviewed the two-year process of planning for an east county recreation center. It began, he said, when WCPARC collaborated with the city of Ypsilanti to plan the piece of the Border-to-Border (B2B) trail that will run along the Huron River in Ypsilanti, crossing Michigan Avenue to continue on the east side of the river. [The trail is proposed for the west side of the 38-acre Water Street area, which the city is trying to develop.]

It became clear, Tetens continued, that the city’s interest was in the need to maximize commercial frontage along Michigan Avenue, in how to handle stormwater, and in providing enough parking. Tetens said that WCPARC staff worked with Ypsilanti city planner Teresa Gillotti, city manager Ralph Lange and University of Michigan professor of architecture Craig Borum. Borum – with a team of UM faculty and students – had developed a plan for the center that was discussed at a public session in September 2012.

There is now increased interest in the Water Street site, Tetens said, “perhaps from our interest, perhaps from the economy turning around.” He then described how the plan for the rec building was evolving. “So now we are ‘heading south’ [elongating the building to the south to minimize the Michigan Avenue frontage] and seeing how compact we can make our site.”

Coy Vaughn, WCPARC planner, continued the description by reciting basic facts about the area. The whole Water Street site is 38 acres. A strip 100 feet wide along the river might be set aside for a non-motorized trail; it could narrow as it leaves Michigan Avenue. Initially, about 12 acres was considered for the rec center site, he said. A marketing study done by the Ann Arbor Y brought the size of the building down from about 50,000 square feet to about 40,000.

Now, WCPARC staff are negotiating a development agreement with the city that will cover several aspects:

• Exact location and size of the parcel.
• Size and orientation of the structure.
• Proposed site plan and building design.
• Timeline for approval, permits, and construction.
• Plan for infrastructure development.
• Roles and responsibilities.
• Terms of a parcel transfer.

Tetens told commissioners that he had planned to bring a conceptual drawing to WCPARC that night, but discussions with the city in the last few days have revealed a “lot of moving parts in this project.” [The city is in the midst of rewriting its master plan and will follow that with rezoning. The Ann Arbor Y is studying the feasibility of managing the building. The county has to decide whether to pay for the building. And the city of Ypsilanti has to decide whether to give the land to the project.]

Tetens described another angle: the city is getting some interest from developers, who might want to put more residential uses on the site. He characterized that potential as “exciting, and if there is an interested developer we want to work with him.”

Vaughn described three new options for the rec building site, and explained that the UM architectural team is still helping with the project, for another $5,000. Those options include:

• Option A: Using 6.14 acres with a 304-foot frontage on Michigan Avenue, with parking to the rear of an elongated building massed on Michigan Avenue. Entrances would be on the west (from the B2B trail) and the east. The plan allows room for expansion of the building, and for a fishing dock on the river.
• Option B: 4.6 acres, 131 parking spaces, 348 feet along Michigan Avenue, and a building with a more square shape to free up desirable land along the river for residential use. Developers, Vaughn said, are excited about the prospect of building housing near the rec center.
• Option C: 5 acres, 170 parking spaces and 332 feet of Michigan Avenue frontage. This would save even more river frontage for residential.

East County Recreation Center – Commission Discussion

Commissioner Rolland Sizemore, Jr. – who also represents District 5 on the Washtenaw County board of commissioners – began the discussion by expressing his impatience with the pace of the project. He asked whether there is an agreement yet with the city about the B2B trail and the pedestrian crossing on Michigan Avenue. “I don’t see why we are being wagged around. We have to take this to the county board [of commissioners],” Sizemore said. “We started this at 10 acres and now we’re down to 4.” He said he could wait until the end of December, but after that he suggested that “we tell the city what we want and let them decide whether to accept it.”

Commission member Pat Scribner urged patience and trying to work with the city, “since there seem to be new possibilities and we want to get this right without being rigid.”

Tetens pointed out that a smaller building would be less expensive to build and operate – an example of a new development that makes the project easier and more likely to be deemed sustainable by the YMCA. He added a note of understanding for Sizemore’s impatience: “We have all overheated at one time or another. It won’t go on forever.”

Outcome: The topic was for discussion only; no vote was taken.

Pittsfield Township Corridor Improvement Authority

Director Bob Tetens brought up the issue of whether WCPARC wanted to participate in Pittsfield Township’s proposed State Road corridor improvement authority (CIA).

Dick Carlisle of Carlisle/Wortman Associates Inc. and Craig Lyon, director of utilities and public services for Pittsfield Township, had given WCPARC a presentation about the proposal at WCPARC’s Aug. 13, 2013 meeting. The project would entail capturing a percentage of taxes from several local entities, including taxes that support WCPARC.

Tetens briefly reviewed the aspects of the project that would overlap with what WCPARC would do – such as building non-motorized pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists. He also noted the potential loss of $600,000-$700,000 in WCPARC tax revenue over the 20 years of the project, but said it was “a good deal” for WCPARC because of “mission alignment.”

Curtis Hedger, Washtenaw County’s corporation counsel, had told Tetens that WCPARC should write a letter indicating whether the commission agreed to the reduction in taxable revenue. [All taxing entities in the CIA have 60 days to indicate whether they intend to participate. That 60-day "opt out" period began after a public hearing held on Oct. 9 by the Pittsfield Township board of trustees.]

President Bob Marans commented that he had heard no objection to participation during the presentation. There was no further discussion.

Outcome: Unanimous approval to write a letter agreeing to the reduction in taxable revenue.

Projects and Activities

Each month, WCPARC staff provide updates to commissioners about ongoing improvement to WCPARC’s facilities, and activities at parks and natural areas. The staff also share communications from users, whether individuals or groups. Some of this information is provided in writing in the board packet; more is provided with visuals and informal commentary. This report summarizes the most significant items.

• Rolling Hills Dog Swim: Staff reported that attendance at the 8^th annual event was the best ever, with 119 dogs swimming on Sept. 7.
• Hudson Mills B2B trail: The trail will be done within weeks, from the Westridge subdivision north for 3 miles.
• Ann Arbor Skate Park: The contractor has formed and installed reinforcement systems for the pools and some other skate park features, with concrete to be poured later in the month. Bob Tetens told commissioners that “short of going out to California, I don’t know what’s like it.” [WCPARC contributed $400,000 toward the skate park in September 2012. It's located in the northwest corner of Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor.] Commissioner Fred Veigel expressed concern about safety and supervision at the park. Tetens responded that it will be a city of Ann Arbor park, and that skate parks normally are not staffed. Signs warn users about safety measures.
• Staff events and achievements: Three WCPARC staff took part in the first annual United Way kickball challenge for county employees. Thonda J. Petty received an award from the county for “service and program enhancements” at Rolling Hills Park.
• Sharon Mills Park: The new pedestrian bridge project is complete.
  

Communications & Commentary

Throughout the meeting there were several opportunities for staff and commissioners to share communications or bring up items of discussion about matters not directly related to the agenda. Here are some highlights.

Communications & Commentary: Swift Run Dog Park

Commission member Rolland Sizemore Jr., who had spoken at the September meeting about problems at the Swift Run Dog Park, said he continued to get complaints about the park.

Sign at Swift Run Dog Park, a joint venture of the city of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission.

Coy Vaughn responded, saying he had met with city of Ann Arbor parks and recreation staff about making improvements: adding benches, shade trees, and making the paths easier to walk on by adding finer gravel. They also talked about possibly paving the parking lot, but Vaughn reported that this cannot be done because the dog park is on top of a landfill.

In response to a question from commissioner Bob Marans about who is responsible for making improvements, Vaughn reminded the group that the dog park is a joint project between WCPARC and the city of Ann Arbor, and WCPARC owes money to the city as a partner. Once that is paid off, sometime in the next year, Vaughn said, “we could divest.”

Ann Arbor’s parks and recreation department is, he said, planning for other dog parks. [An update on that effort was provided at the Sept. 17, 2013 meeting of the Ann Arbor park advisory commission.] WCPARC director Bob Tetens commented: “This was our first dog park and it was polarizing – people who feared attacks from dogs, people who think dogs can do no wrong. Over the years, though, the park has been a success, with people and dogs out there all the time.”

Sizemore returned to his point: He hears complaints, and he wants to be sure the park is kept up to WCPARC’s standard. “I don’t want this to fall by the wayside just because we have to partner with Ann Arbor. If we can’t partner with them, let’s walk away from it.”

Communications & Commentary: Rutherford Pool in Ypsilanti

Commissioner Fred Veigel noted the appreciation that WCPARC had earned by contributing to the renovation of Rutherford Pool. He described a couple of items that still needed attention – a fence and some electrical work – for which he had obtained volunteer help to complete.

Financial Reports

Staff provide several different financial reports to WCPARC each month, focused on the past month’s expenses (the claims report), monthly and year-to-date reports on expenses and revenues in the form of fund balance reports, and a listing of major non-recurring expenses. The October meeting reviewed reports for September. There are separate reports on parks and facilities, and on the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), which includes preservation of agricultural lands. Each of these has its own, separate funding, although WCPARC administers all of these programs.

Financial Reports: Claims Report

Parks and facilities paid a total of $207,443 in September – including $20,430 for capital improvements, primarily at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks. WCPARC director Bob Tetens told commissioners, “You can see we are out of our capital improvements activity. The only expense was to remove the old spray zone at Independence Lake.”

NAPP claims exceeded that with $468,456, almost entirely the cost of acquiring land.

Total claims paid by WCPARC in September 2013: $675,899. [.pdf of September 2013 claims report]

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – Parks and Recreation

A report on the parks and recreation fund balance showed the projected fund balance of $8,455,552 by the end of the year – Dec. 31, 2013. The fund balance started the year at $12,950,815.

As of Sept. 30, 2013, revenue totaled $9,415,170 – primarily from property taxes ($6,408,702) and fees and services ($2,982,038). Expenses year to date were $10,386,711.

In addition, the parks budget includes an operating reserve of $6.7 million and ”partnership” funding commitments of $925,000. [.pdf of parks and recreation fund balance report]

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – NAPP

The Jan. 1, 2013 fund balance for NAPP was $10,263,644. Through Sept. 30, 2013, revenue was $3,460,249 and expenses were $4,095,192. The projected year-end fund balance for NAPP is $10,200,558. [.pdf of NAPP fund balance report]

There was no substantive discussion of the reports.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously voted to receive, accept and file the financial reports.

Recreation Reports

These monthly reports include attendance at WCPARC facilities where attendance can be counted, with information about participation in measurable activities and revenue received at those facilities. The reports include the current year-to-date summary as well as comparable information for the prior two years.

Recreation Reports: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

The Meri Lou Murray rec center is doing better financially this year than the prior two years, according to a report by WCPARC director Bob Tetens, even though participation is down. Year-to-date participation as of Sept. 30, 2013 was 240,978 and revenue was $953,424. In 2012, year-to-date participation was 241,052 and revenue was $894,742. In 2011, participation was 254,755 and revenue was $906,187. [.pdf of MLM Rec Center report]

Recreation Reports: Pierce Lake Golf Course

As he has for the last several months, Bob Tetens recommended comparing Pierce Lake Golf Course’s use in 2013 to 2011 rather than 2012 because of the hotter weather in 2012, when the golf course opened two weeks earlier than normal.

Through the end of September 2013, 15,412 people had paid greens fees totaling $347,503. That compares with 18,376 people and revenues of $382,964 in 2012. In 2011, 14,403 people paid $313,016. Programming and retail operations brought in $101,807 in 2013; $105,311 in 2012; and $82,383 in 2011.

Total revenue in 2013 was $547,330, compared to $588,426 in 2012 and $479,345 in 2011. [.pdf of Pierce Lake Golf Course report]

Recreation Reports: Rolling Hills Park and Water Park

There is an entrance fee, and gate count, for everyone who enters Rolling Hills Park. There is a separate fee, and gate count, for those who go on to enter the water park there.

Through the end of September 2013, 30,305 people paid $237,838 to enter Rolling Hills Park. That’s down from a gate count for the same period in 2012 of 34,132 people, who paid $264,825. In 2011, 34,612 people paid $265,933.

The water park draws greater attendance, but both attendance and revenues are down in 2013 compared to the same period in previous years. So far in 2013, 94,266 people paid $715,239. That compares to attendance in 2012 of 114,522 people and $780,122; and a 2011 count of 115,012 people and $780,995 in revenues.

Total year-to-date revenue for all operations at Rolling Hills was $1,201,672 in 2013, compared to $1,317,599 in 2012 and $1,309,007 in 2011. [.pdf of Rolling Hills report]

Recreation Reports: Independence Lake Park and Blue Heron Bay

Blue Heron Bay is a water-feature area separate from the rest of Independence Lake Park. Because Blue Heron Bay opened in 2013, there are no comparisons to earlier years.

By the end of September 2013, 15,392 people paid $122,022 to use Independence Lake Park. That compares to 2012 attendance of 17,743 people and $137,217 in revenues. In 2011, 16,846 people attended the park, with revenues of $131,504.

Attendance at Blue Heron Bay was 17,668 through September 2013, for $69,787 in revenues.

Total revenue for all of Independence Lake Park was, through September 2013, $295,370 in 2013. That compares to $211,458 in 2012 and $208,474 in 2011. [.pdf of Independence Lake report]

Outcome: The recreation reports were received and accepted for filing unanimously.

Present: Janis Bobrin, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Evan Pratt, Patricia Scribner, Dan Smith, Rolland Sizemore Jr., and Fred Veigel. Also director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Absent: Jan Anschuetz, Conan Smith.

Next meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor.

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Aerial view showing proposed location of a county recreation center in downtown Ypsilanti, in the city-owned Water Street property next to the Huron River and south of Michigan Avenue. (Image from the WCPARC Aug. 13, 2013 meeting packet.)

Commissioners approved expenses totaling $1,760,780 to acquire complete or partial interests in 140 acres for the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), and took the first step to approve acquisition of conservation easements on 170 acres of farmland for $258,500.

The NAPP purchases include 71 acres in Ann Arbor Township presently owned by DF [Domino's Farms] Land Development, west and north of the intersection of Plymouth and Dixboro Roads. The purchase includes 54 acres – known as Arbor Vistas – on the south side of Ford Road. WCPARC will contribute $928,780 of the total price of $2.167 million, with the remainder of funding coming from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund ($1.088 million) and Ann Arbor Township ($150,000).

Two other parcels – 5 acres and 12 acres – are located near the larger site. In total, these three acquisitions will enhance access to existing preserves, according to staff, and will benefit from the parking areas and trails already built in those preserves.

The WCPARC also gave final approval to purchase the 66-acre Primeau property in Freedom Township for $420,000, and to buy the 3-acre Holley property in Pittsfield Township for $90,000. The Holley property – on the south side of Textile Road, north of Michigan Avenue – is important because of its woods and its adjacency to three other heavily wooded parcels that WCPARC has given tentative approval to purchase. The 8-1 vote for the Holley purchase came over dissent by commissioner Fred Veigel, who questioned paying $30,000 an acre for property that could be developed.

The WCPARC also administers the agricultural land preservation program, which protects farmland by purchasing development rights (conservation easements) rather than title to the land. At the Aug. 13 meeting, commissioners gave preliminary approval for two such purchases: (1) the 101-acre Cort property in Salem Township, for $100,000; and (2) the 69-acre Schneider property in Lodi Township at the southeast corner of Scio Church and Parker Roads, for $158,500.

The commission was briefed on one ongoing project: the proposed recreation center in downtown Ypsilanti‘s Water Street area. The presentation included a summary of a survey about how such a new facility might be used. The survey had been commissioned by the Ann Arbor YMCA with some funding from WCPARC, and showed that there is sufficient demand and willingness to pay for the center. The results also provided details to guide decisions about fees and the size and nature of facilities in the building.

In action related to the center, commissioners approved extending for six months a letter of intent to reach a development agreement between WCPARC and the city of Ypsilanti. The plan is to use that time to negotiate a full development agreement so that the city can transfer the property – up to 8 of the 38 acres on Michigan Avenue east of downtown Ypsilanti – before Jan. 4, 2014.

Commissioners were briefed about a proposed Pittsfield Township corridor improvement authority along State Road. It would use tax increment financing (TIF) to provide funding for upgrading South State between Ellsworth Road and Michigan Avenue.

The commission also approved several financial reports for June and July, and received updates on various projects and activities. Director Bob Tetens distributed a draft of the WCPARC budget for 2014-2017, but there was neither description nor discussion of the document, which will be on the September agenda.

Natural Areas Preservation Program

The county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP) is funded by a 10-year countywide millage of 0.2409 mills, which brings in about $3 million annually. Voters renewed the millage most recently in 2010, through 2020. The program enables WCPARC to purchase land worth preserving because of its natural features, and to purchase development rights on agricultural land. The Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee advises WCPARC on NAPP acquisitions. The Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee advises WCPARC on the purchase of development rights.

Several items were on the Aug. 13 agenda related to purchases for NAPP.

NAPP: DF Land Property (54-acre parcel)

Tom Freeman, retired deputy director of WCPARC who now serves as a consultant on NAPP activities, presented supporting material for all NAPP purchases at the August meeting. He began with three parcels owned by DF [Domino’s Farms] Land Development. WCPARC had given conditional approval to purchase those parcels at its June meeting. [See Chronicle coverage: "County to Acquire More Nature Preserves."]

Within the black circle, three parcels outlined in black are owned by DF Land Development LLC and are being acquired by the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission for nature preserves.

The largest parcel is 54 acres immediately west of the city of Ann Arbor’s 79-acre Marshall Nature Area and also near WCPARC’s 35-acre Goodrich Preserve and the University of Michigan’s 90-acre Horner-McLaughlin Woods. [.pdf of DF Land (54 acres) staff memo]

NATAC recommended this purchase, Freeman reported, because of the parcel’s proximity to other preserved areas and its significant natural features. It is entirely wooded, with areas of mature oaks, maples and other hardwoods. The western side of the property houses Kirk’s Brook, a tributary to Fleming Creek that flows south and east to the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens. More significant are the steep slopes throughout the property, he said.

Freeman then described the financial aspects of this acquisition, which was appraised at $3.25 million. To facilitate the purchase, the owner reduced the price by $1.083 million. The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MDNRTF) accepted an application from WCPARC for $1,088,220 toward buying the property, and most recently, Ann Arbor Township agreed to contribute $150,000. That left only $928,780 required from WCPARC to reach the final price of $2.167 million. The contribution from Ann Arbor Township was only finalized last month.

This process, Freeman noted, “generated more paperwork – from the state, the city, the township, the owner, and WCPARC – than any other WCPARC acquisition.” But, he added with a smile, “our [WCPARC’s] sign will be on the land.”

Freeman’s written report documented completion of the three due diligence steps required by WCPARC’s earlier conditional approval of this purchase: a phase 1 environmental site assessment by Mannik & Smith that found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns; a boundary survey with legal description and sealed survey drawing; and Bur Valuation Group’s appraisal, which valued the property at $3.25 million.

There was no substantive discussion.

Outcome: Unanimous approval, on a roll call vote, to purchase the 54 acres from DF Land Development for a net price of $2.167 million, of which $928,780 would come from WCPARC.

NAPP: DF Land Development (5- and 12-acre parcels)

Freeman then presented information on two other DF Land Development parcels, for 5 acres and 12 acres. He referred to the smaller property as the “dependent” parcel that would connect several others and allow access to and use of the Marshall and Goodrich preserves, a total of 290 acres under multiple ownerships. Both properties are almost entirely wooded, with areas of mature oaks, maples, hickories and other hardwoods. Freeman called out a “gorgeous buttonwood swamp” and shagbark hickories, but lamented the absence of beeches on the 12-acre parcel, which abuts the Goodrich Preserve along its southern border. The 5-acre parcel is adjacent to the University of Michigan Horner-McLaughlin Woods and will connect that property with other protected land to the south. [.pdf of DF Land (5, 12 acres) staff memo]

Bosserd Appraisal, Freeman reported, valued the 5-acre parcel at $100,000 and the 12-acre parcel at $222,000. Mannik & Smith Group did a phase 1 environmental site assessment of each property and found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns. Finally, boundary surveys including legal descriptions and sealed survey drawings were done, completing the requisite due diligence.

NAPP: DF Land Development (5- and 12-acre parcels) – Commission Discussion

Robert Marans, president of WCPARC, asked about the potential for trails on the parcels. Freeman described several possibilities, and emphasized the ability to use an existing parking area. The topography, he said, provides opportunity for many loop trails, at least two miles of them. Freeman also pointed out the opportunity to put up signs for the new and existing parcels, with the increased accessibility of the proposed purchases.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously approved, on a roll call vote, purchase of the 5-acre parcel for $100,000 and the 12-acre parcel for $222,000.

NAPP: Primeau

Tom Freeman presented information on this fourth proposed NAPP acquisition: 66 acres in Freedom Township, comprising two adjacent parcels on the north side of Ellsworth Road between Parker and Haab roads in the northeast part of the township. NATAC, he reported, had declared the site a high priority because of its diversity of land types, the perennial stream that runs to Mill Creek, its steep slopes, high quality woodlot, and wetland areas around the stream. The Brauer Preserve is less than half a mile to the east. Both Brauer and this property are ranked as “high value” on the Huron River Watershed Council’s bioreserve map. [.pdf of Primeau staff memo]

Freeman’s report noted that due diligence had been done: Bosserd Appraisal Services identified a value of $420,000, or about $6,363 per acre; Mannik & Smith’s phase 1 environmental site assessment found no evidence of environmental concerns; and a boundary survey, legal description, and sealed survey drawing were in hand.

Director Bob Tetens added that this acquisition was consistent with one of WCPARC’s basic concepts: to add land that would expand existing preserves and avoid the need to build new parking.

There was no substantive discussion.

Outcome: Unanimous approval on a roll call vote to acquire the Primeau property’s 66 acres for $420,000.

NAPP: Holley Property

The fifth acquisition Freeman presented was the Holley property, roughly 3 acres in Pittsfield Township. At WCPARC’s April 9, 2013 meeting, commissioners had given conditional approval to prepare an offer on several properties in that same area: the Holley property, 3 acres south of Textile Road; the 2-acre Kim property, which notches into the south and west sides of Holley and fronts on Michigan Avenue; the 4-acre M. Harwood property west of Kim, which also fronts on Michigan Avenue; and the 9-acre A. Harwood parcel, an adjacent site at the west of these properties, also on Michigan Avenue. [.pdf of Holley staff memo]

Aerial view showing boundaries of four properties along Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township that are being considered for purchase by the county’s natural areas preservation program.

Together, these four parcels would preserve a heavily wooded area, part of the larger woods that comprises much of the Pittsfield Preserve south of Textile Road. However, Freeman reported that while all four properties are still in consideration, the other three are in the midst of due diligence proceedings and only Holley is coming forward now.

NATAC identified the Holley property as high priority to protect and acquire. Freeman reported that the parcel is unusual because it is in an urban area, and the woodlot is a “character property” for the township and the county. Because the woods are dry – he pointed out the wet woods to the north of the property – they are “eminently develop-able.” Clearing the Holley property would, Freeman held, have a serious, detrimental impact on the Pittsfield Preserve, which has a large heron rookery in the preserve north of Textile. Freeman hoped to bring the two Harwood parcels to WCPARC for final approval in September. The Holley family wants to close as soon as possible.

Freeman’s written report documented an appraisal by Bosserd Appraisal Services at $90,000, or $30,000 an acre; Mannik & Smith’s phase 1 environmental site assessment that found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns; and a boundary survey with legal description and sealed survey drawing.

NAPP: Holley Property – Commission Discussion

Director Bob Tetens pointed out that this purchase is consistent with WCPARC’s strategy of building up existing preserves, both its own and those of other entities. This makes the best use of resources, he added, while creating more meaningful, larger preserved areas, and avoiding the need to build more parking areas.

Commissioner Fred Veigel – a current member and former chair of the Washtenaw County Road Commission – began the discussion by stating that he would vote against it: “Why would you pay $30,000 an acre for property that is develop-able? Why not let it be developed and generate tax revenue for the township, the county, and the schools? It just galls me that you would pay that much.”

Commissioner Patricia Scribner, who also serves as treasurer of Pittsfield Township, pointed out that the land is zoned residential and changing that to commercial, as Veigel suggested, is not part of the township’s master plan.

In response to Veigel’s concern about the cost of the property, Freeman said there are a number of elements to consider. For example, when land is in a municipal service area, the price naturally goes up. Also, smaller parcels cost more per acre than larger ones. Yet, for preservation purposes, a small parcel can “move the edge and change the habitat.” Freeman added: “We have had a series of appraisals done on it – it was valued higher two years ago.”

Commissioner Janis Bobrin weighed in: “Having worked on [NAPP] millage campaigns, I know that the object was to have high-quality land preserved not just way out in the county, but where people can get at it, to procure high quality [land] and to provide access to people who value having green open space adjacent to them. We are doing what the voters told us they wanted done.”

WCPARC member Dan Smith, who also serves on the Washtenaw County board of commissioners, picked up on this point: “The voters approved us spending money this way. We have a rigorous process and criteria. Owners have to nominate property – we don’t solicit or make offers out of the blue. This proposal is a result of our process and criteria operating.”

Tetens made a related point: “We like to provide geographic equity. We get a lot in tax revenue from Pittsfield Township, perhaps more than what we have given back so far in recreational facilities or services.”

Outcome: On a roll call vote, the motion to purchase the Holley property for $90,000 passed 8-1, with Veigel voting against it.

Agricultural Land Preservation

Washtenaw County’s ordinance No. 128, which established the natural areas preservation program, also established the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC) to advise WCPARC about whether to purchase development rights on a particular parcel of agricultural land, and how much the county should pay for those rights. More specifically, ALPAC looks to acquire development rights on lands that:

• Preserve working farms, particularly those including prime and unique soils;
• Preserve working farms that support the ecological integrity of wildlife habitat or important natural habitats;
• Complement the existing network of publicly and privately preserved lands;
• Maximize the public benefit.

The Ann Arbor-based Legacy Land Conservancy (LLC) assists WCPARC as well. Susan Lackey, the conservancy’s executive director, and Robin Burke, its land preservation coordinator, provide staff support to ALPAC under contract with the WCPARC. Burke presented two proposals at the Aug. 13 meeting.

Agricultural Land Preservation: Cort Property

This property in Salem Township lies on both the north and south sides of Six Mile Road just west of Towner Road in the northeast corner of the county. The original nomination was for 101 acres. However, LLC has decided to purchase the development rights on 17 acres – land that includes wetlands and that is not agricultural – and the Cort family has decided to retain 5 acres for its own use. So only 79 acres were part of the Aug. 13 proposal. The 5 acres retained by the family, while not covered by the conservation easement, will be permanently tied to the protected land – the two parcels cannot be separated and hence cannot be developed. [.pdf of Cort staff memo]

Map of Cort property (outlined in orange) in Salem Township.

The proposal will compensate the landowner for the cost of development rights and establish an agricultural conservation agreement between the landowner and WCPARC. The land will remain in private ownership.

Burke’s report described the somewhat complex history of this proposal. The parcels were originally submitted to both NAPP and to Salem Township’s land preservation and conservation board, which sought and received a federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) grant in 2012 for 49% of the cost of purchasing development rights.

Then, a change in township board membership resulted in a decision not to pursue conservation easements. ALPAC was approached, Burke said, to be a partner by contributing money and to be the successor holder of the easement. The township will receive the grant and hold the easement first in the chain of title, and then immediately pass the easement to WCPARC to hold.

Salem Township had already concluded due diligence: a phase I environmental assessment that found no evidence of recognized environmental conditions; an American Land Title Association survey; and an appraisal by Williams & Associates, which put the value for the development rights at $206,000. The FRPP grant will cover $100,940. The remaining $5,060 is being supplied by a private donor. Salem Township will cover the closing costs.

According to Burke, ALPAC recommended the Cort property because much of the soil is prime and locally important agricultural soil, and because nearby areas have a fair amount of residential development. The Bailo conservation easement held by WCPARC is to the west, across Pontiac Trail. As farmland, she said, it is “not topographically exciting, not even very photogenic,” but her photos showed it to grow ample corn and hay.

Agricultural Land Preservation: Cort Property – Commission Discussion

Dan Smith pointed out that this property is close to Pontiac Trail, a major traffic route between Ann Arbor and points north and east. In the future, there will be pressure for development, he noted.

Outcome: On a roll call vote, commissioners gave unanimous approval for WCPARC to: (1) contribute $100,000 to the conservation easement on the Cort property; and (2) serve as successor holder of the Cort easement, after Salem Township.

Agricultural Land Preservation: Schneider Property

Robin Burke also made a presentation about the Schneider property, to support the recommendation that WCPARC authorize preparation of a purchase offer of $158,500 for a conservation easement on 69 acres of farmland in Lodi Township, at the southeast corner of Scio Church and Parker Roads. ALPAC identified this property as one of nine highest priorities. The property has some wetland at the northwest corner but is predominantly farmland, and all the land is prime, unique, or locally important agricultural soils, as identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service. [.pdf of Schneider staff memo]

It is highly active farmland, Burke continued, part of the “historical richness of Washtenaw County. Once land like this is developed, it is irretrievable as farmland.” An additional valuable quality of the parcel is its proximity to a number of other protected properties, so that protecting Schneider would create a block of 170 acres of protected farmland. The WCPARC’s Brauer Preserve is less than half a mile south on Parker Road.

Burke’s photos illustrated that there is wetland at three of the corners of the Parker/Scio Church intersection. A pair of (protected) trumpeter swans nest here each spring. Protecting this corner would mean all three corners are protected: the corner to the north by Scio Township, and the property to the west by Legacy Land Conservancy. Parker Road is starting to become a protected corridor, she pointed out.

There was no discussion.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation that WCAPRC authorize preparation of a purchase offer for a conservation easement at a price of $158,500 ($2,300.44 per acre), contingent upon the completion of all necessary due diligence and the commission’s final approval.

East County Recreation Center

For almost two years, WCPARC has engaged in a partnership with the city of Ypsilanti, the Ann Arbor YMCA, and faculty and students of the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning to develop a plan for a recreation center in the eastern part of the county. Focus has been on a 12-acre site located within Ypsilanti’s Water Street area, on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of downtown and next to the Huron River. [See Chronicle coverage: "County Pursues Major New Parks & Rec Deal."] [.pdf of East County Rec Center staff memo]

From left: Bob Marans, chair of the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission, and WCPARC director Bob Tetens.

At the Aug. 13 meeting, deputy director Coy Vaughn summarized a market study by FourSquare Research Inc. that had been presented to WCPARC members at a lunch on June 25, 2013. [Summary of presentation at June 11, 2013 WCPARC meeting.]

Vaughn explained that YMCAs across the county use FourSquare for studies on the feasibility of establishing new recreation centers, including many for partnerships between a city and a Y. FourSquare is not hired, he said, to say “yes on any study – they take a critical look at whether a center can be supported.” Director Bob Tetens added that “they come back to see how well their predictions turned out, because sometimes their clients act against their advice and try to establish a center when FourSquare does not find support.”

Vaughn summarized the main findings, which were the result of a study of 600 random phone calls to cell and landlines across Washtenaw County. As background information, FourSquare provided context:

• There is slow population growth in the area, just 3%.
• 27% of households have kids, about the national average.
• However, only 9% are senior citizens, lower than nationally. There is low household income, $41,000 to $57,000.
• The area is relatively stable, as shown by the 63% who are homeowners.
• 57% are not physically active. Of those who are physically active, only 18% are affiliated with a place to exercise; 25% are not. This leads to favorable projections of membership.

The survey also sought to learn what the preferred location for a rec center would be. Downtown Ypsilanti was favored over Rolling Hills.

Vaughn gave a bullet-point summary:

1. There is significant interest in a new east county rec center, double the national average level of interest.
2. A location east of downtown Ypsilanti works better than locating at WCPARC’s Rolling Hills.
3. The profile of prospective members includes families with children, aging baby boomers, and health seekers, many who desire a “third place” [i.e. neither home nor work].
4. An indoor facility of about 44,000 square feet is recommended, smaller than the originally estimated 55-60,000 square feet.

East County Recreation Center: Commission Discussion

Discussion covered the question of whether there would be enough parking. According to staff, the site has plenty of room for parking, both for the rec center and future retail development. Also discussed was whether this facility would compete with the existing Meri Lou Murray Rec Center on Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor, or be hurt by the renovated outdoor Rutherford Pool in Ypsilanti. WCPARC director Bob Tetens didn’t think these facilities would compete. Each existing facility is aimed at a different group, and none are directly targeting residents in the eastern part of the county.

Commissioners also discussed the overall result of the survey. Vaughn noted that there was strong support for a rec center. He indicated that feedback from the survey would allow the building planners to reconfigure the building’s design to suit the needs revealed in the survey.

The survey was simply to inform WCPARC, according to staff. The results are confidential at this point, Vaughn said; the Ann Arbor YMCA board has yet to discuss them, and there are no public copies of the survey yet.

East County Recreation Center: Letter of Intent

An item of business before WCPARC was a proposal from Tetens to extend by six months the letter of intent between WCPARC and the city of Ypsilanti. Ypsilanti’s city council has already voted such an extension. According to Tetens’ report, “the intent is to negotiate a full development agreement and present it to the Ypsilanti city council and WCPARC to transfer the property before Jan. 4, 2014.” The agreement will include at least:

• Exact location and size of the site.
• Size and orientation of the recreation center structure.
• Proposed site plan and building design.
• Timeline for approvals, permits, and construction.
• Plan for infrastructure development beyond parcel footprint.
• Roles and responsibilities.
• Terms of parcel transfer or long-term lease.
• Other legal responsibilities for development and opening of the recreational facility.

There was no commission discussion on this item.

Outcome: The motion to extend the letter of intent succeeded 8-1, with Dan Smith voting no.

State Street Corridor: Pittsfield Township

Director Bob Tetens introduced Dick Carlisle of Carlisle/Wortman Associates Inc. and Craig Lyon, director of utilities and public services for Pittsfield Township, to give a presentation about Pittsfield Township’s plan to create a corridor improvement authority (CIA) with powers to improve the State Road corridor in Pittsfield Township, from Ellsworth Road to Michigan Avenue. [.pdf of CIA report] State Road is now rated as D and F level of service, and the bad condition of the road severely constrains development and connections in the southern part of county. It creates gridlock.

From left: Craig Lyon, director of utilities and public services for Pittsfield Township; and Dick Carlisle of Carlisle/Wortman Associates.

Pittsfield Township proposes to improve the road, somewhat as Scio Township improved Jackson Road. The CIA, Carlisle explained, would use tax increment financing to enable the township to provide the local funding match – 20% of the total cost – needed to obtain state and federal funds that would pay for most of the project. The ways that local governments can raise these funds are limited, he said, and a CIA with tax increment financing authority, which Pittsfield Township could create, is one of the most promising.

Carlisle said he was making this presentation to all taxing authorities in the affected area along State Road: Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw County, Washtenaw Community College, WCPARC, Huron Clinton Metropark Authority, Saline District Library, and Ann Arbor District Library.

Pittsfield Township wants to improve the road to facilitate and encourage further development in the corridor, which is mostly zoned commercial but is only about 60% developed. The intent is to build according to the “Complete Streets” model, he said: a four-lane roadway with a central median, a 10-foot pedestrian pathway, bike lanes, and roundabouts at the Morgan and Textile Road intersections with State Road, like the one now being installed at Ellsworth and State. The corridor would link to and enhance existing multi-modal networks, he said, and promote local and regional economic development. The Washtenaw County Road Commission has estimated the project’s cost in 2012 dollars as $30 million.

Carlisle then explained how tax increment financing works. A base year is established, by which to measure the increase in taxable value in the future, which would presumably be the result of the corridor improvements, in this case. After that, a TIF district can capture all or a portion of the increase in taxable value over the base year, he said. Pittsfield Township is proposing to capture only half of the increase. In addition, he said, the other taxing authorities would have the chance to “opt out” of the arrangement, during a 60-day window after the date when Pittsfield Township establishes the development plan and tax increment financing plan. “By formulating this as a partnership, each jurisdiction has a vested interested in the improvements,” he said. Further, “TIF funds can only be spent in the district and only on the projects included in the development plan.”

State Street Corridor: Pittsfield Township – Commission Discussion

This was not an action item for WCPARC at the Aug. 13 meeting. Nevertheless, there was discussion. Major points included:

• Reiteration of the ability to opt out.
• Clarification of the overlap in objectives between WCPARC’s “Connecting Communities” program and the non-motorized elements in the corridor improvement plan – a roadway improvement that also improves walkability and recreation.
• Estimates of the financial impact on WCPARC, which commissioners termed “minimal.”
• Distinguishing tax increment financing from tax increases.

Carlisle emphasized that Pittsfield Township would “memorialize limits and what we will use the money for, for every penny we collect will go to the road improvement project.” Any money left over at the end will be returned to the taxing jurisdictions, he said. He also noted that he could provide a more detailed analysis of the financial impact on WCPARC – he had done that for Washtenaw Community College.

Lyon told commissioners that Pittsfield Township officials hope to complete the project without the need to sell bonds.

Dan Smith had two comments. First, he cautioned that some of the projections depend on voter-approved millages that might not be renewed. He also expressed concern about the number of TIF districts in Washtenaw County. “We need to get a handle on what we are doing with TIFs in the county,” he said. “We are doing them in a haphazard manner and the problem is that the money does add up over a large period of time.”

Commissioners also noted that corridor improvements related to non-motorized trails are ones that WCPARC would be looking to do anyway, regardless of this project.

Financial Reports

Staff provide several different financial reports to WCPARC each month, focused on the past month’s expenses (the “claims” report), monthly and year-to-date reports on expenses and revenues in the form of “fund balance” reports, and a listing of “major non-recurring expenses.” The August meeting reviewed reports for both June and July. There are separate reports on parks and facilities, and on the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), which includes preservation of agricultural lands. Each of these has its own, separate funding, although WCPARC administers all of these programs.

Financial Reports: Claims Report

Parks and facilities paid a total of $589,370 in June, and $1,647,706 in July. In both months, director Bob Tetens explained, the largest expenditures were on capital improvements, especially at Independence Lake and Rolling Hills. At Independence Lake, expenses related primarily to a new water park. Rolling Hills saw major expansions and improvements to its water park.

The June reports for NAPP showed small expenses, only $14,430. July was more costly at $57,845.

Financial Reports: Non-recurring Major Expenses Report

The non-recurring major expenses reports for parks and facilities in June shows $140,361 paid to O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock, & Associates Inc. for construction management at Independence Lake as the largest single expense. OCBA a landscape architecture and land planning firm, with offices in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Second highest was the $75,000 provided to the city of Ypsilanti to help restore Rutherford Pool, part of what WCPARC considers its “partnership” program. See Chronicle coverage: “County Gives More Support to Rutherford Pool.“]

The same report for July shows the largest parks and facilities expense was $1,148,250 paid to Flint-based Sorenson Gross for construction at Rolling Hills. The second-highest expense was another “partnership” expense: $100,000 to Ypsilanti Township for the “Connecting Communities” program, to build three segments of trail along Whittaker, Tuttle Hill, and Textile Road. See Chronicle coverage: “County Awards Trail-Building Grants.”]

For NAPP, the June report showed $8,211 paid to Carver Construction for work at the Trinkle Preserve, and $1,200 to Bosserd Appraisal Services in Ypsilanti for work at the Clark-Avis Spike Preserve. The July report showed the largest single expense as $18,871 to the Legacy Land Conservancy for work with ALPAC, followed by $15,000 to Nagle Paving of Novi for work on the Squiers Preserve parking lot. Squiers Preserve is not yet open to the public.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance Reports

The fund balance for parks began the fiscal year on Jan. 1, 2013, with a balance of $12,950,815. As of July 31, year-to-date revenue totaled $8,150,158 – primarily from property taxes ($5,811,913) and fees and services (2,294,588). Expenses year-to-date were $7,277, 490. The projected fund balance at year-end is $10,299,761. In addition, the parks budget includes an operating reserve of $6.7 million and “partnership” funding commitments of $925,000.

The July 31 fund balance statement for NAPP shows a beginning fund balance on Jan. 1, 2013 of $10,283,644. Through July, revenue was $3,184,873 and expenses were $1,013,797, for a projected year-end fund balance of $13,006,576.

There was little discussion about any of the financial reports.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously voted to receive, accept, and file the financial reports.

Recreation Reports

Each month, staff provide WCPARC with reports on attendance at its facilities where attendance can be counted, with information about participation in measurable activities and revenue received. The reports include the current year-to-date and comparable information for the last two years.

As he did at the June meeting, director Bob Tetens prefaced his presentation of the reports with comments about the difference between the weather in 2013 and 2012, suggesting that 2011 was more comparable to the current year because 2012 was unusually hot, and 2013 has been much cooler and wetter. This affects attendance. “Last year, the weather was our friend,” he said. “But some years it rains, and our revenue goes down. That’s what a fund balance is for.”

On the positive side, he pointed out the success, measured by attendance, of the new water park – Blue Heron Bay, at Independence Lake Park – where “we made $6,000 on food.” He also highlighted the popularity of day camps at Independence Lake, Rolling Hills, and the County Farm Park.

Tetens also noted the difference between the water parks at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake’s Blue Heron Bay. People stay all day at Rolling Hills, but there’s more turnover at Blue Heron Bay because the facilities are aimed at younger children, so families tend to stay for shorter periods. He noted WCPARC has made some good investments in these two parks that will pay dividends many years into the future.

Recreation Reports: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

Tetens reported that attendance at the Meri Lou Murray rec center has improved a little – in daily passes, revenue, and recreation programming. “It looks better than for the past 3-4 years,” he said.

Year-to-date participation as of July 31, 2013 was 205,933 and revenue was $770,627. In 2012, year-to-date participation was 205,392 and revenues $707,755. In 2011, participation was 215,529 with revenues of $723,278.

Recreation Reports: Pierce Lake Golf Course

The Pierce Lake Golf Course’s use and revenue reflected the impact of the weather. In 2012, the course opened on March 15; in 2013 and 2011, the opening did not occur until April 1.

Through July this year, there were 10,456 users and total revenue of $359,710. In 2012, the course drew 13,449 users and $423,732 in revenue. In 2011, there were 10,110 users and $318,102 in revenue.

Recreation Reports: Rolling Hills Park and Water Park

There is an entrance fee, and gate count, for everyone entering Rolling Hills park. There is a separate fee, and gate count, for those who use the water park there.

As of the end of July 2013, the park’s gate count was 20,509 ($169,474 in fees), compared to 25,654 ($207,249) in 2012 and 25,330 ($202,384) in 2011. This count includes individuals as well as buses and minivans, for which individuals are not counted.

The gate count for the water park was 61,770 ($460,326) in 2013; 85,584 ($583,664) in 2012, and 82,433 ($556,710) in 2011.

Revenue from programming and retail operations throughout the park and water park – including the above entry fees plus day camps, birthday packages, and facility and equipment rental – was $808,550 in 2013; $1,002,754 in 2012; and $950,814 in 2011.

Recreation Reports: Independence Lake Park and Blue Heron Bay

Blue Heron Bay opened this year, adding a real water park to Independence Lake park and nearly doubling use and revenue compared to 2011. As at Rolling Hills, there is an entry fee for the park, and an additional fee to use Blue Heron Bay.

Entrants to the park (individuals, buses, and minivans) and the fees paid in 2013 were 10,428 ($90,619); in 2012, 6,947 ($64,475); and 5,038 ($47,820) in 2011.

Blue Heron Bay saw 11,229 users and $44,127 in revenue. Total revenue at Independence Lake (entry fees, rentals, day camp, and food concessions) was $215,361 in 2013; $103,429 in 2012; and $81,557 in 2011.

Projects & Activities

Each month, WCPARC staff provide updates to commissioners about ongoing improvement to WCPARC’s facilities, and activities at parks and natural areas. The staff also share communications from users, whether individuals or groups. Some of this information is provided in writing in the board packet; more is provided with visuals and informal commentary. This report summarizes the most significant items.

• Ann Arbor Skatepark: The Ann Arbor city council awarded a construction contract to Krull Construction of Ann Arbor and groundbreaking occurred on Aug. 9. Work should be complete by next spring. WCPARC contributed $400,000 to construction of the skatepark, located in the northwest corner of Ann Arbor’s Veterans Memorial Park.
• County Farm Park: Repairs to the pathway have stalled, so corporate counsel is pursuing legal action against the contractor for failing to complete the project. See Chronicle coverage: “County Parks Commission OKs $6M in Projects.”
• Border to Border Trail (B2B): Work on segment D1, River Terrace Trail in Dexter, is substantially complete. Staff are working with the village of Dexter and Michigan Dept. of Transportation on the final 1/8-mile extension that will connect the trail to the village at Central Street. Completion is hoped for in September.
• Public appreciation: WCPARC director Bob Tetens summarized several letters of thanks and congratulations received over the last two months. Dan Smith commented that the goal is “making sure that a broad base of taxpayers in Washtenaw County know how much good WCPARC does.”
• Food service at Pierce Lake: The facility got a perfect score from the county inspector.
• Eastside Rec Center AIA award: Craig Borum of PLY Architecture along with Maria Arquero and Jen Maigret of MAde studio were awarded a 2013 Michigan AIA Honor Award in the category of “unbuilt work” for their schematic design of a recreation center on the Water Street redevelopment site in Ypsilanti.
• Washtenaw County sheriff’s office: A new method of contracting for patrol services for parks, including dog parks and natural areas, is “far superior” to the past, Tetens reported. Now there are two people on patrol and they overlap at busy times.
• Staebler Farm: The sidewalk and porch at the residence are being replaced for Donald Staebler, who still lives on the premises. See Chronicle coverage: “County Parks: Options for Staebler Farm.”
• Marketing: Several marketing efforts were described, including: (1) signs on an AAATA bus, on varying routes for two months, to advertise the water parks, costing less than $1,300; (2) Ann Arbor Family blog awards for five of WCPARC facilities; and (3) aerial photos of facilities by Victor Banta Photography.

Present: Jan Anschuetz, Janis Bobrin, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Evan Pratt, Patricia Scribner, Conan Smith, Dan Smith, and Fred Veigel.

Absent: Rolland Sizemore, Jr.

Staff: Director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, planner Meghan Bonfiglio, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Next meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, in the County Farm Park property.

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Within the black circle, three parcels outlined in black are owned by DF Land Development LLC and might be acquired by the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission for nature preserves.

One NAPP deal that’s been years in the works took a step forward, with commissioners giving initial approval to acquire three parcels totaling 71 acres in Ann Arbor Township, owned by a subsidiary of Domino’s Farms. The deal includes a 54-acre parcel that had received widely varying appraisals, which had delayed the acquisition process. That property will cost a total of $3.25 million – with NAPP paying $928,780 and the remainder coming from other partners, including a contribution by the owner. The other two parcels are (1) five acres at a cost of $100,000, and (2) 12 acres for $215,000, with a possible contribution from Ann Arbor’s greenbelt program. The commission will consider giving final approval to all three acquisitions at its July meeting.

In other NAPP-related action, the commission gave final approval to $1,502,336 worth of NAPP purchases: the four-acre Jarskey property in Scio Township for $57,140, and the 249-acre Ramsey-Lippert-Carr properties in Northfield Township for $1,445,196. Both proposals had been described and discussed at WCPARC’s May 14, 2013 meeting.

Commissioners also approved a staff recommendation to expand NAPP’s stewardship program by creating three new staff positions, doubling the county’s investment in NAPP crews to about $350,000 a year. The expansion is possible because of an ordinance change approved by the county board on Sept. 19, 2012, removing constraints on how funds are allocated between NAPP acquisition and maintenance.

Regarding parks & recreation facilities, WCPARC staff updated commissioners on a new water park – called Blue Heron Bay – that’s located at Independence Lake county park. The water park, fenced off from the rest of the facility with a separate admission fee, has amenities designed for younger children, including spray-and-play features and a water slide.

Another expanded facility – Rolling Hills water park, on the east side of the county – includes a wave pool and spray-and-play installations. One of the improvements that seemed of great interest to commissioners was the new three-story water slide.

Commissioners were also briefed on recent market research regarding a proposed east county recreation center, to be built and managed in a partnership with WCPARC, the city of Ypsilanti and the Ann Arbor YMCA. The study indicated support for a 44,000-square-foot center – smaller than the county’s 51,000-square-foot Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center in Ann Arbor and the 70,000-square-foot Ann Arbor YMCA. The full report will be presented on June 25 to WCPARC members and other stakeholders.

In other updates, WCPARC staff noted that bids for construction of the Ann Arbor Skatepark were received, with the lowest bid of $1.2 million coming from Ann Arbor-based Krull Construction. The skatepark’s original budget was $800,000, including a $400,000 contribution from WCPARC. The city of Ann Arbor is working to amend the project’s scope and find additional revenue sources. [The item is on the agenda for the Ann Arbor park advisory commission's June 18 meeting, with a revised construction bid of $1,031,592, based in part on changes to the project's scope. The total project budget is now $1,224,311.]

Natural Areas Preservation Program

Four land purchases, and the matter of how to staff the maintenance and improvement of natural areas protected by the county, were on the June 11 agenda for consideration. A 10-year countywide millage of 0.2409 supports the natural areas preservation program (NAPP). Voters approved renewing it most recently in 2010 through 2020. This brings in about $3 million a year. The program has protected 2,254 acres, both natural areas and farmland.

NAPP: Jarskey Property

The Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) advises WCPARC about property it might acquire for the NAPP program. In October 2008, NATAC identified the Jarskey property as a high priority for acquisition, and WCPARC first discussed buying the property at its April 9, 2013 meeting. The parcel is at the northwest corner of the Fox Science Preserve in Scio Township.

Aerial view of the Jarskey property (outlined in red) adjacent to Fox Science Preserve in Scio Township.

At the June 11 meeting, former WCPARC deputy director of Tom Freeman, now a consultant on NAPP matters, reviewed the information provided to the commission. He highlighted how the Jarskey property would enhance the value of the adjacent Fox Science Preserve, whose entrance is on Peters Road north of Miller and not far south of the Huron River.

The preserve is a former gravel pit that ceased operation when excavation hit ground water. The Jarskey property includes two pools created by the groundwater, and those pools add to the interpretive opportunities at the site, Freeman asserted. [In the context of parks and recreation, "interpretive" refers to educational or explanatory information or activities.]

The Fox Science Preserve is one of the most popular and frequently visited preserves that WCPARC operates, Freeman said. Preservation of the additional acreage would ensure the site continues to provide a unique environmental education setting for Washtenaw County students. Scio Township, Freeman said, strongly supported the acquisition because of its high value to the community.

A staff report included Bosserd Appraisal Services valuation of $57,140 ($14,285/acre) for the property. The completion of a phase 1 environmental site assessment by Mannik & Smith Group found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns. The report also included a boundary survey, legal description, and sealed survey drawing. [.pdf of Jarskey staff report]

NAPP: Jarskey Property – Commission Discussion

Commissioner Conan Smith, who also serves on the Washtenaw County board of commissioners, stated his reservations about the ecological uniqueness of this purchase. “NATAC says it has ecological value, but it isn’t natural, it is man-made,” he argued.

Freeman acknowledged the “man-made” concern, saying that was his first thought. But when he visited the site again, he realized how valuable the pools were. They provide a chance to talk about what lives in a pond; the structure of groundwater and why it perches at varying depths; and why water collected in these pools but not at deeper excavations.

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz spoke in favor of the acquisition because of the ponds and because visitors to Fox can currently see the pools and want to visit them. Freeman added that the Jarskeys are willing to sell these four acres, but not more.

WCPARC commissioner Dan Smith – also a county commissioner – joined Conan Smith in questioning “such a small purchase.” Freeman reminded WCPARC that adding to existing preserves is a good strategy. “It is easier to manage one 200-acre site than 20 sites of 10 acres each.” He also noted the desirability of “extraction pit” home sites in the county, which adds to the value of this property. “There are a lot of extraction pits in the county, and you aren’t going to see another extraction pit preserve.”

WCPARC president Bob Marans raised a different question: Was Scio Township willing to put money into this purchase? Freeman responded that while Scio has been a great partner in the past, township officials “have a lot on their plate right now, and this will come off their tax rolls.”

In the brief silence following that remark, commission vice president Patricia Scribner called the question. A roll call vote was taken.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously authorized purchase of the Jarskey parcel in the amount of $14,285 per acre, or $57,140.

NAPP: Ramsey-Lippert-Carr Properties

At its May 14, 2013 meeting, WCPARC gave preliminary approval to buying these three contiguous properties in Northfield Township, containing 249 acres.

On June 11, Tom Freeman summarized the nature of the land, calling it a real mixture of land types with a variety of ecological and horticultural features. It gives WCPARC the chance to preserve a large contiguous habitat. The land has some slopes, a significant part of Lawton Lake, a bog, and a wetland with high islands and dry corridors, making it possible to connect all the properties with trails. The Northfield Township board is very supportive of the acquisition, especially because it is close to Whitmore Lake and would be an educational resource for the public schools.

Freeman also pointed out that WCPARC has little property in this location – the northeast section of the county, right on the Livingston County border.

He reported that Bosserd Appraisal Services identified a value of $5,804 per acre, for a total cost of $1,445,196. Mannik & Smith Group had found no evidence of recognized environmental concerns in a phase 1 environmental site assessment. Freeman also noted that WCPARC had a boundary survey, legal description and sealed survey drawing. [.pdf of Ramsey-Lippert-Carr staff report]

NAPP: Ramsey-Lippert-Carr Properties – Commission Discussion

Discussion about this property was short. Commissioner Dan Smith pointed out that part of the Carr property is on Seven Mile Road, which is now in the sewer district. The area will develop. He also recalled that there had been a music venue on the site. [Smith lives in Whitmore Lake.]

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz remembered that when Freeman had inspected the site, he had gotten a bad case of poison sumac. Freeman said that building a boardwalk would protect the public from that. Anschuetz suggested there might be more than one access point, and Freeman agreed.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously approved the purchase of the Ramsey, Lippert, and Carr properties at a cost of $1,445,196.

NAPP: DF Land Development Property

The next three parcels that WCPARC considered were before it for the first time formally, although the land has been in play for several years. The parcels are owned by DF Land Development LLC, a subsidiary of Domino’s Farms. These three parcels – of 54, 12, and 5 acres – are in Ann Arbor Township near the intersection of Ford and Dixboro Roads.

By way of background, Ann Arbor Township assessing records show the following information for the three sites under consideration by WCPARC:

Chart showing information about potential acquisitions from DF Land Development LLC.

NAPP: DF Land Development Property – 54-acre Parcel

The owner nominated this parcel for consideration by NAPP in December 2009, after an unsuccessful attempt to rezone the property for a residential project called The Vistas. That fall, NATAC visited the site and identified a number of important natural features, according to Freeman’s report. These include a central woodlot of very high quality with an open understory and no invasive plants, as well as Kirk’s Brook, which flows along the western edge of the property on its way to Fleming Creek. Even more significant are the steep slopes throughout the property, dropping about 50 feet. The property contains a large buttonbush swamp, shagbark hickory trees, woods of diverse ages, and many wildflowers. [.pdf of staff report for 54-acre DF Land Development site]

Freeman pointed out the significance of the site’s location – immediately west of the city of Ann Arbor’s 79-acre Marshall Nature Area, WCPARC’s Goodrich Preserve, and the University of Michigan’s Horner-McLaughlin Woods.

Purchase of all three of the DF Land Development properties would enable an extensive trail system to connect all of these sites. Because of this, Freeman said, letters of support for the purchases have come from Ann Arbor Township, the Huron River Watershed Council, the city of Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan.

A complex process involving the owner and the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) as well as WCPARC has resulted in a proposed partnership that could mean WCPARC would acquire the property for an investment of just $928,780, Freeman said.

The complexity began with a difference of expert opinion about the value of the property. Bosserd Appraisal Services – used by WCPARC “almost exclusively to identify a fair market value for prospective purchases,” Freeman noted – found it worth $2.167 million. A second appraisal, by Bur Valuation Group, identified a value of $3.25 million.

When MNRTF reviewed both appraisals as part of a grant application submitted by the county, the MNRTF initially decided on a value of $1.3 million, Freeman said – significantly lower than the other appraisals. In August 2012, MNRTF had agreed to provide WCPARC with 70% of the acquisition costs for this property, so the amount of the acquisition cost was critical.

Of course, the owner wanted the highest value, Freeman noted. He said that similar disputes over valuation have meant that very few of the 2011 MNRTF grants – including one awarded for this 54-acre parcel – have actually been dispersed. Freeman credited WCPARC planner Meghan Bonfiglio for persistence in keeping all parties’ attention on the matter and reaching a solution. [The disparity of appraisals had been mentioned as far back as a March 9, 2011 meeting of the Ann Arbor greenbelt advisory commission, which Freeman attended.]

Freeman then described the resolution. The agreement would include a sales offer of $3.25 million. After reviewing additional sales information, and in consideration of the fact that the property is zoned residential and on a water and sewer line, MNRTF raised its valuation to $1,554,600. That means the MNRTF grant will be $1,088,220.

MNRTF agreed that WCPARC could use the Bosserd appraisal to determine the NAPP contribution, and could contribute more than 30%. So NAPP will contribute 48% of the Bosserd appraisal: $928,780. DF Land Development agreed to contribute by reducing the price by $1.083 million, so that its net price would be $2.167 million – the same as the Bosserd appraisal.

An as-yet unnamed partner, which has not yet formally approved participating, would contribute $150,000.

In summary, the sales offer of $3.25 million would include these funding sources:

• MNRTF grant funds: $1,088,220
• NAPP contribution: $928,780
• Anticipated partner contribution: $150,000
• Property owner price reduction contribution: $1,083,000

Freeman’s briefing had been interrupted only a few times by commission member questions, but otherwise there was no significant discussion.

Outcome: Commissioners gave unanimous  approval to authorize preparation of a purchase offer for the 54 acres of DF Land Development property in Ann Arbor Township at a net price of $2.167 million, contingent upon the receipt of acquisitions funds in the amount of $1,088,220 from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund, along with the participation of other partners, completion of all necessary due diligence investigations, and the commission’s final approval.

NAPP: DF Land Development Property – 5- and 12-Acre Parcels

The presentation on these two parcels had necessarily been entwined with Freeman’s description of the 54 acres. Both of these parcels are almost entirely wooded with mature oaks, maples, hickories and other hardwoods, and both have steep slopes. NATAC found both to be high priority, although the Huron River Watershed Council’s bioreserve map ranks them as of medium value.

The five acres, Freeman said, are essential to connect all the others, because they lie just across Ford Road from the west end of the 54-acre parcel, and are immediately south of the University of Michigan’s Horner-McLaughlin woods. [The Horner-McLaughlin woods are 90 acres located a few miles north of UM's Matthaei Botanical Gardens.]

The appraisal for the five acres is $100,000.

Freeman said the Ann Arbor greenbelt program might be a partner in acquiring the 12-acre parcel, which is immediately south of the county’s Goodrich Preserve. The appraisal on the 12 acres came in the day of the WCPARC meeting, at $220,000. The resolution voted on by commissioners, which was prepared before the final appraisal had been completed, set the price at $215,000.

Freeman characterized the five-acre proposal as solid. However, the 12-acre proposal is uncertain, as the county awaits a decision from the city’s greenbelt program.

Commission discussion was again brief.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously agreed to authorize preparation of purchase offers for the DF Land Development 5-acre parcel at a price of $100,000 and the 12-acre parcel at a price of $215,000, contingent upon completion of all necessary due diligence examination of the property and the commission’s final approval.

Management of Protected Lands

WCPARC director Bob Tetens and deputy director Coy Vaughn briefed commissioners on a proposal to manage lands that are part of the county’s natural areas preservation program. Tetens reminded WCPARC that the ordinance establishing NAPP had originally specified that WCPARC use 93% of the revenue generated by its millage for purchase of land, and 7% to maintain it. “We knew that would not be adequate for maintenance over time,” he said, so in May of 2012 WCPARC had asked the county board of commissioners to amend the ordinance to a 75%-25% balance, so that more could be spent on maintenance.

A memo from Tetens from May 2012 made the case this way:

A prudent and responsible approach to management requires identification of a sustainable stewardship program for all lands acquired through the NAPP millage. Without the assurance of a source of funding, the long term sustainability of NAPP, and the nature preserves it has established, is uncertain.

The county board responded by giving WCPARC more than it requested: the ordinance was amended on Sept. 19, 2012, to remove any mandate on how funds were allocated between acquisition and maintenance.

At WCPARC’s June 11 meeting, Tetens attributed the success in making the change to “glowing reports from the commissioners Smith,” referring to Conan Smith and Dan Smith, who both serve on the county board. Tetens continued to express his desire to set up funding so WCPARC would not be required to ask for a millage renewal in 2020, when the current 10-year millage that voters approved in November 2010 will expire. He pointed out that “we already have 22 preserves now, and there’s only so much we would want. After we get preserves to represent all the ecosystems, we won’t need more.”

WCPARC member Conan Smith also serves on the county board of commissioners.

Vaughn then picked up the thread, using a memo from Tetens and a separate handout to present a set of facts on the WCPARC system. Combining NAPP (2,524 acres) and county parkland (1,952 acres), WCPARC manages 4,476 acres. Of these, 372 acres of parks and 556 NAPP acres are “core conservation areas” (CCAs) under some level of ecological management. Another 1,868 acres in both categories are identified as CCAs, but not yet under management. This is one way to describe how WCPARC currently falls short of achieving what Tetens called a “sustainable stewardship program.” Some 1,868 acres need more stewardship.

Vaughn described the techniques used for successful ecological management to bring habitats back into balance so native biodiversity can thrive. Those techniques include removing invasive species and reintroducing natural processes, such as prescribed fire. He then reviewed how the work is currently done: planning and coordination by a park naturalist and park superintendent, one maintenance worker, a couple of seasonal workers, and some contracted workers and volunteers.

NAPP processes are also quite a burden on planning staff, he said. Each one of the dozens of annual nominations [the application made by a landowner for purchase consideration by NAPP] requires many steps, including staff support to NATAC; obtaining boundary surveys, mapping, appraisals, and environmental assessments; site visits; and, if a purchase results, other steps to complete the real estate transactions. Then there is a planning phase for each property: making maps, laying out and constructing trails, and taking site plans through township processes. Planner Meghan Bonfiglio and consultant Tom Freeman do a lot of this now, Vaughn said.

A staff memo outlined the proposal to create three new positions and possibly eliminate one. [.pdf of NAPP stewardship staff memo] One new position would be a natural areas planner to do all NAPP-related planning, the work now done by several other staff members. This would consolidate all of the pre-acquisition tasks and site development work leading up to the establishment of the preserve. Another new position would be a stewardship coordinator, to develop stewardship plans for all natural areas in both NAPP and parks. Other tasks would be to coordinate the work of field crews, and expand the volunteer stewardship program. The third new position would be a park laborer, trained and dedicated to stewardship activities.

A position that could possibly be eliminated would be one of two park naturalists. The stewardship coordinator would replace that position.

The result would be two fully equipped NAPP crews, which would cost about $350,000 a year, twice the current investment in stewardship. This is 15% of the total natural areas budget, well below the 25% that Tetens had proposed.

Management of Protected Lands – Commission Discussion

Commission discussion targeted not the specifics of the proposal, but the longer-term implications of the strategic decision to build an “endowment” between now and 2020 so that a millage renewal would not be a necessity.

Conan Smith said he would like to see a financial plan for creating the fund, and that he was concerned that the county’s general investment return of one or two percent would not be sufficient for such a fund, which he would like to see at five to seven percent – “more like a pension fund.” Smith said he would like to see such a fund pulled out of the county general fund, and to have an independent investment policy for the fund.

Dan Smith expressed concern about running into legal impediments about how to invest the funds. Conan Smith suggested creating a trust, with a board to manage the funds. Dan Smith picked up on that idea, suggesting that people could “donate land to the trust. You need better return for the idea to be sustainable.” Tetens agreed to follow-up with the county treasurer.

WCPARC president Bob Marans then asked what Tetens had meant by his earlier statement that there is only so much qualified property. He wondered where it is, and how it correlates to what WCPARC already has.

Tetens ticked off a few of the qualifications: contiguous to land that WCPARC already owns, containing ecosystems not represented in current WCPARC property. [By way of explanation, the county ordinance is specific about the qualities sought in NAPP acquisitions: public water resources; special plants, animals, and plant communities; recreation and scientific value; and proximity to protected land. The ordinance includes details about each of the four categories.]

In response to a question from commissioner Jan Anschuetz, Tetens said that the proposed Trolz property acquisition is still not resolved, but WCPARC’s fund balance is adequate to cover the transaction, which would use both NAPP and parks funds.

Outcome: Commissioners gave unanimous approval to authorize staff to prepare a board action request for the creation of three new permanent full-time positions as outlined in the staff memo.

Projects & Activities

Each month, WCPARC staff provide updates to commission members about ongoing improvements to WCPARC’s facilities, and activities at parks and natural areas. At the June 11 meeting, staff presented updates on work by the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC), the East County Recreation Center, as well as a range of other  projects and activities.

Projects & Activities: ALPAC

The ordinance that established NAPP also established the Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee. ALPAC serves as an advisory body to assist WCPARC in determining whether to purchase the development rights on a particular parcel, and how much the county should pay for those rights. The program is intended to protect farm or other agricultural land by purchasing development rights so that the land can continue to be used for agricultural purposes rather than being developed. This type of protection is a permanent legal status and – unlike the outright purchase of land – does not usually include open public access.

The update at the June 11 meeting concerned two properties that ALPAC had recommended for protection. As described at WCPARC’s Feb. 12, 2013 meeting, ALPAC had recommended that the county first apply for 2013 funds from the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). The two properties under consideration were (1) the 72-acre Graichen property in Superior Township, and (2) the 190-acre Heller property in Lima Township.

On June 11, planner Meghan Bonfiglio reported that the FRPP applications were made in March 2013, and though final notification of awards for Graichen and Heller have not yet been received, “it is reasonable to expect the paperwork finalizing the awards will be completed in early summer.” Bonfiglio said the award was likely to be in the range of $250,000-$260,000. Staff continue to work on the phase 1 environmental assessment and surveys needed to make a final recommendation, she said, and ALPAC expects to submit a final recommendation to the Aug. 13, 2013 WCPARC meeting.

Projects & Activities: East County Recreation Center/YMCA

The east county recreation center proposal, hatched and nurtured by WCPARC, entails a partnership of the city of Ypsilanti, the Ann Arbor YMCA, and WCPARC. The groups plan to collaborate, with WCPARC build the rec center on land with a focus on the western end of the 38-acre Water Street redevelopment site on Michigan Avenue, just across the Huron River from downtown Ypsilanti. That property is now owned by the city of Ypsilanti. The center would be managed by the Ann Arbor YMCA.

The most recent step was to take a public opinion survey. The Ann Arbor YMCA commissioned Four Square Research Inc., a market research firm, to do that work.

At WCPARC’s June 11 meeting, commissioners received the preliminary findings from the survey. The study, which WCPARC director Bob Tetens characterized as “having no surprises and showing stronger support than we expected,” made eight points:

• There is significant interest in a new east Washtenaw YMCA recreation center: 7.2% of all households expressed a great deal of interest with all location, pricing, and facility options. The national average is only 4.5% for a full-facility YMCA.
• The study tested two locations: downtown Ypsilanti on Michigan Avenue at the Water Street redevelopment area, and off Stony Creek Road at Rolling Hills County Park. The downtown site was the preference of 2,334 people, whose membership revenue would total $1,528,788. Only 2,011 preferred the Stony Creek site, and they would generate $1,317,466 in revenue.
• There was high price sensitivity among prospective members, leading FourSquare to recommend implementing both current rates and lower branch-only rates to attract the highest number of new memberships and membership revenues.
• There is only limited interest in daily use as compared to annual membership.
• The area population to be served is largely physically inactive. While there are some existing for-profit activity providers, the area is very much in need of public and non-profit providers. There is a big service void, according to the study.
• Area residents know the YMCA relatively well, but “efforts are needed to correct some misconceptions of the YMCA,” according to the report. [The Ann Arbor YMCA conducts programs year round in Ypsilanti, both at schools and the senior center, but it only recently established a location of its own in Ypsilanti, inside St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 120 Huron Street.]
• Prospective members include families with children, and aging baby boomers, “the vast majority of whom are health-seekers” who have a “very strong desire for “The Third Place.” [.pdf of census tract map of prospective members]
• A new facility should have about 44,000 square feet.

There was no substantive discussion of the report. The next step, Tetens said, would be a lunch for key players, including WCPARC members, on June 25, at which the full report would be presented.

Projects & Activities: Parks & Rec

Commissioners were provided with brief updates on a range of other items.

Phase 3 of an expansion at the Rolling Hills county park includes a new, three-story slide at the water park. Other water park amenities include a wave pool and spray-and-play installations. A “lazy river” feature has been temporarily closed, according to an alert posted on the Rolling Hills website:

The Lazy River is temporarily closed for repairs and is not able to be used by patrons. We will be using 2012 admission prices during this time. When the Lazy River is available for use, we will implement the 2013 admission prices. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have the Lazy River up and running as soon as possible.

The old bathhouse is gone and the new ticket booth is operational. A new brochure is at the printer, and new signs at both the Rolling Hills Water Park and the Blue Heron Bay at Independence Lake County Park are installed, using a consistent blue water theme. Landscape improvements continue, working out from the buildings and parking area. The new traffic circle is done, and parking is expanded.

A new water slide at Independence Lake county park.

At Independence Lake, a new entry is functional and the new water features – called Blue Heron Bay, in a separately fenced area with separate admission – are working. Bad weather, especially storms and the threat of storms, has kept attendance down. Special awnings protect toddlers from the sun, and the user-activated water features, such as a gigantic spider-like structure that requires six kids to work together to get the water flowing, are popular. There was a community safety day at the park, complete with fire trucks, and there will be a Father’s Day pancake breakfast on June 16.

In other updates, WCPARC director Bob Tetens briefly described a new arrangement with the Washtenaw County sheriff’s office which costs about the same as the previous method – $100,000 per season – but provides more people at times they are needed. Police academy graduates will be hired as park service officers  – Tetens referred to them “police officers in waiting.” They are paid on an hourly basis. There are usually two at Rolling Hills and one at Independence Lake, and they also check occasionally at nature preserves, he said. They are trained in first aid and use a sheriff’s office vehicle with a special logo on the side and orange lights rather than red.

Commissioners also were told that the bids for construction of the Ann Arbor Skatepark had been received, with the lowest bid of $1.2 million coming from Ann Arbor’s Krull Construction. However, the skatepark’s budget is $800,000. The city of Ann Arbor is working to amend the project’s scope and find additional revenue sources. [The item is on the agenda for the Ann Arbor park advisory commission's June 18 meeting, with a revised bid of $1,031,592, based in part on changes to the project's scope. WCPARC is contributing $400,000 toward construction.]

There were also several updates on the county’s Border-to-Border (B2B) trail. Work on the River Terrace Trail in Dexter is nearly done, and staff continue to work on the final 1/8 mile extension to connect the trail to the village at Central Street. The B2B extension into the Water Street redevelopment area is the subject of Ypsilanti’s revised application to the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, as part of a 2011 grant project, and it is under review.

In addition, the B2B stretch from Hudson Mills to Dexter’s Warrior Creek park, done in partnership with Huron Clinton Metroparks, is under construction. The Michigan DNR stocked the river with fish that have survived for three years now, Coy Vaughn reported. Bob Tetens expects the trail to be open in September. Hearing this, commission member Fred Veigel said, “If we keep improving, we’ll make the metroparks look bad.”

Financial Reports

Staff provide several different financial reports to WCPARC each month, focused on the past month’s expenses and revenue, and the year-to-date situation. There are separate reports on parks and facilities, and on the natural areas preservation program (NAPP). Each of those units has its own, separate funding, although both are administered by WCPARC.

Financial Reports: Claims Report – June 2013

WCPARC director Bob Tetens provided a brief explanation to flesh out the written report. Parks and facilities paid a total of $1,592,672 in the past month. Most of that was spent on capital improvements: $1,282,527. [.pdf of June 2013 claims report]

A supplement to the claims report, titled “non-recurring major expenses,” shows that $1,217,437 spent on parks and recreation was related to construction, most for various components of the Rolling Hills expansion and improvements. [.pdf of non-recurring major expenses report]

The non-recurring major expenses report for NAPP showed a total expense of $130,267 – all to improve the Clark-Avis Spike Preserve so it could be fully open to the public.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance Statement – May 31, 2013

The fund balance for parks began the fiscal year on Jan. 1, 2013, with a balance of $12,950,815. Revenue – primarily from property taxes for the year – is at $6,678,953, or 68% of the budget. Tetens explained that although property tax revenue is 92% of the budget, fees and services – which will be bolstered throughout the outdoor season – are at only 25% and should quickly fill in on the revenue side. Expenses of $3,249,883 – or 46% of budget – will also increase quickly during the rest of the year.

The projected fund balance at the end of 2013 stands at $10,764,713, but Tetens expects that to drop. [.pdf of parks fund balance statement]

The fund balance for NAPP, which was $10,263,644, has been augmented by $2,982,377 in revenue and diminished by $2,088,497 in expenses. Although the fund balance projected as of May 31, 2013, is $12,923,998, Tetens said he expects it to be closer to $10 million, similar to 2012.

Tetens again referred to his hope of building a fund that, by 2020, will generate sufficient revenue to pay for stewardship of land in WCPARC’s hands. He spoke of averaging $1.7 million a year on NAPP purchases, and by 2020 having a fund of $10-20 million, which he said should be enough to sustain NAPP. [.pdf of NAPP fund balance statement]

There was little substantive discussion of any of the financial reports.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously voted to receive, accept and file the financial reports.

Recreation Reports

The WCPARC receives reports each month on attendance at its facilities with the ability to take attendance. The reports include participation in measurable activities and revenue received. The reports include year-to-date comparisons for the prior two years.

Due to malfunctioning of equipment at Rolling Hills Park and Water Park, there was no report ready in time for the June 11, 2013 meeting, but there were reports for the three other facilities. Director Bob Tetens prefaced his remarks with a reminder that 2012 was an unusually hot year, which pushed up attendance at the outdoor facilities. Rather than drawing negative conclusions about 2013 in comparison to 2012, he suggested comparing 2013 to 2011.

Recreation Reports: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

Tetens summarized the report for the MLM rec center by saying that attendance was stable while revenue was up, and that there is an uptick in non-resident attendance. Staff will assess attendance by zip code to get a better reading.

As of the end of May 2013, total participation at MLMRC was 152,038 and revenue was $585,763. Compared to the previous two years, participation is down but revenue is up: May 2012 had participation of 152,630 and revenue of $551,724 compared to 162,356 and $571,769 in May 2011. [.pdf of MLM rec center report]

Recreation Reports: Independence Lake Park and Blue Heron Bay

Memorial Day weather was cool so Independence Lake Park was off to a slow start, Tetens said, with attendance of 831 and revenue of $9,893. That compares to 2,021 ($20,509) in 2012 and 1,665 ($16,438) in 2011. Blue Heron Bay showed attendance of 111 people and generated $427.

Day camp attendance is way up at Independence Lake: 425 attendees generated $11,463 this year. There were only 45 enrolled in day camp last year ($1,209) and 81 in 2011 ($3,147). [.pdf of Independence Lake report]

Recreation Reports: Pierce Lake Golf Course

Tetens said the Pierce Lake Golf Course looks great and should continue that way, barring another drought. Attendance of 4,787 generated $107,327. In 2012, 6,873 people generated $139,600 compared to 3,787 and $74,963 in 2011. [.pdf of Pierce Lake report]

Outcome: Commissioners gave unanimous approval to receive and file the reports.

Present: Jan Anschuetz, Janis Bobrin, Evan Pratt, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Patricia Scribner, Conan Smith, Dan Smith, and Fred Veigel.

Absent: Rolland Sizemore, Jr.

Staff: Director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, planner Meghan Bonfiglio, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Next meeting: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, in the County Farms Park property.

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The entrance to Recreation Park in Ypsilanti, where Rutherford Pool is located. (Photos by the writer.)

Commissioners also took steps that could lead to spending over $1.713 million on natural areas preservation. They voted to move forward with the acquisition of three deals for the county’s natural areas preservation program: 17 acres in Scio Township ($55,000); about 245 acres in Northfield Township (about $1.4 million); and 65 acres in Freedom Township ($420,000). The latter two purchases were approved contingent on completing due diligence assessments, followed by final approval from the commission.

In addition, WCPARC approved an initial step in replacing the HVAC system at the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center on Washtenaw Avenue, and heard reports on upgrades at several other facilities. Those include the nearly-completed major improvements and expansion of water parks at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks. Both are set to open Memorial Day weekend, kicking off WCPARC’s summer season.

In other news related to Ypsilanti projects, WCPARC director Bob Tetens reported that the Ypsilanti city council had recently passed a resolution reaffirming support for the east county recreation center project, proposed in the Water Street site near the Huron River. Tetens also presented a report on WCPARC’s marketing and communications program, which staff have expanded into new venues – including AATA buses. The effort is partly in preparation for a millage renewal coming in 2014.

Commissioners also discussed the desire to add another off-leash dog park in addition to Swift Run, which the county runs in partnership with the city of Ann Arbor. Interest is especially keen in light of Ann Arbor’s difficulty in finding a new dog park location. Some commissioners want to include a water element where dogs could play. Jan Anschuetz put it this way: “We’ve done so much to provide water recreation for people – now let’s do it for the dogs.”

Natural Areas Preservation Program

The May 14 agenda included three proposals related to the county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP). Tom Freeman – former deputy director of WCPARC who now serves as a consultant for NAPP projects – presented all three proposals.

The commission’s meeting packet included a Nov. 13, 2012 memo from the Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC), which makes recommendations on the purchase of natural areas. The memo recommended property acquisitions for the current round (round 12). [.pdf of Nov. 13 NATAC memo] The memo ranked properties in five priority levels: highest (proceed to acquire as appropriate); second (of high interest if a partnership is possible); third (high interest, consider acquiring a portion); fourth (of high interest but requires additional research); and lowest (withdraw from further consideration).

The proposals on the May 14 agenda related to properties that had received NATAC’s highest or second-priority rankings.

NAPP is funded with a countywide millage of 0.2409 mill, which generates about $3 million a year and is in effect through 2021. NAPP has preserved about 2,500 acres of land – natural areas and farmland – since its inception in 2000.

NAPP: Sloan Property

The 17-acre Sloan property is located in Scio Township on the west side of Baker Road, south of the village of Dexter. It deserves protection, Freeman said, for its most significant natural feature: Mill Creek and its extensive floodplain, which both the township and WCPARC want to protect.

Map of the Sloan property in Scio Township, which was included in the WCPARC meeting packet.

The township and WCPARC collaborated in 2012 to purchase an adjacent 35 acres from the Sloans for $280,000, or roughly $8,000 per acre. A state Dept, of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant provided 75% of that cost, and WCPARC and Scio Township split the rest. Freeman explained that during the process of that first purchase, contamination on part of the site was discovered. He said the owner would use part of the proceeds from the current sale to clean up the contamination, which was related to the former use of the site for a nursery.

The Sloan property was categorized by NATAC as a second priority. The recommendation was that WCPARC provide $55,000 – or half the purchase price – and collaborate with Scio Township, which would pay the other half. Scio Township would acquire title to the property and assume management and stewardship responsibilities. Freeman reported that an appraisal found the property worth $110,000, or about $6,322 per acre. In addition, WCPARC staff obtained a phase 1 environmental assessment that found no recognized environmental condition. Also provided to commissioners were a boundary survey, legal description and certified survey drawing.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation that WCPARC authorize committing $55,000 toward the purchase of the Sloan property, which will be matched with an equal amount from Scio Township. A written agreement with Scio Township will spell out the township’s responsibility to pay all development expenses.

NAPP: Primeau Property

The Primeau property – 66 acres in Freedom Township – was also recommended for acquisition. The property consists of two adjacent parcels, each 33 acres, on the east side of Ellsworth Road, north of Haab Road and south of Parker Road in the northeast section of Freedom Township. NATAC rated this property in the highest priority.

A tributary of Mill Creek dissects the property, which has a diversity of land types and steep slopes, with high quality woodlands on the upper areas that are 950 feet high, according to a staff report. The lower areas contain wetlands.

Freeman explained that NATAC was using, for the first time, a bioreserve map that the Huron River Watershed Council had developed. This map uses various criteria – including size; the presence of wetlands, rivers or lakes; potential to contain groundwater recharge areas; and the potential to harbor a high diversity of ecosystems. The map shows that almost 100% of the Primeau property is categorized as high quality. In addition, Freeman said, the woodland on the property is very high quality, with a clear understory unhindered by invasive species and trees of various ages. Commissioner Janis Bobrin expressed appreciation for use of the bioreserve map.

Williams and Associates appraised the property at $420,000, or about $6,383 per acre.

NAPP: Primeau Property – Commission Discussion

During WCPARC’s discussion, Freeman expressed confidence in the accuracy of the appraisal, considering the property is in Freedom Township.

Tom Freeman at the WCPARC May 14, 2013 meeting.

WCPARC director Bob Tetens explained that because of the new flexibility in use of NAPP funds, staff have been developing a plan for stewardship and maintenance, and looking for opportunities to have other entities take on long-term costs such as developing and maintaining parking lots. [A change in the NAPP ordinance, approved by the county board on Sept. 19, 2012, allows WCPARC discretion in dividing the use of its millage funds between purchase and maintenance/stewardship. For additional background, see Chronicle coverage: "County Parks & Rec System Plans for Future."]

WCPARC president Robert Marans, in response to a question, described the criteria that Huron Clinton Metroparks use to purchase additional land: they only buy land consistent with their master plan for each park. That is different from NAPP’s statutory purpose, which is to preserve natural areas, not to create parks. To further clarify the difference between use of park money and use of NAPP money, Tetens used the example of the still-pending proposal to use park funds to purchase part of the Trolz property on the west side of the county to create a horse trail. [For background on that proposal, see Chronicle coverage of WCPARC's Nov. 12, 2012 meeting.]

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation to authorize preparation of a purchase agreement for the Primeau property for $420,000, contingent upon completion of all necessary due diligence examination of the property, and the commission’s final approval.

NAPP: Ramsey, Lippert, and Carr Properties

Three properties in Northfield Township – the Ramsey, Lippert and Carr parcels, totaling 256 acres – are being treated as one, Freeman explained, because the owners are using one realtor and the properties are adjacent. The land is located just east of Whitmore Lake on the border with Livingston County, along a section of Seven Mile Road that runs at an angle rather than the road’s primary east-west orientation.

Map showing potential land acquisition in Northfield Township for the county’s natural areas preservation program.

The exact acreage that WCPARC might purchase is not yet clear, because two of the three owners want to retain part of their land. The Lipperts own 111 acres and want to keep about 11, selling 100. The Carrs want to keep “a little,” Freeman said, perhaps one acre on Seven Mile of the 80 they own. The Ramseys are willing to sell their entire 69 acres.

Freeman described why the property is worth preserving. One reason is the large adjacent acreage, which is valuable in itself to keep habitat intact. Another factor is the ability to access all three properties from a single parking lot. In addition, the quality of the land – as measured by the Huron River Watershed Council’s bioreserve map – is high. Freeman said this will provide a worthwhile educational opportunity for Whitmore Lake schools, and be a resource for the whole northeast section of the county. He also noted a drawback he discovered while exploring a boggy area on foot – there’s a lot of poison sumac, which “gave me the worst case I’ve ever had.”

Bosserd Appraisal Services provided a value of $5,804 per acre. For the 248 acres that Freeman described, the purchase price would total $1,439,392.

NAPP: Ramsey, Lippert, and Carr Properties – Commission Discussion

Commission discussion focused on the dangers of poison sumac, which Freeman promised to address in three ways: placing trails where the sumac is not present; using boardwalks; and putting up warning signs with photos.

Discussion also brought out details about what portion of the property two of the owners want to retain. Carr wants to keep an acre on Seven Mile Road. Commissioner Dan Smith pointed out that this portion of the land will soon be improved – it has a sewer running along it now and is zoned for quarter-acre lots. Freeman described conversations he has had with township planners, and he is aware of the potential for more traffic on Seven Mile.

Finally, questions about NAPP’s fund balance brought out that there is plenty to cover the proposed $1.4 million purchase. The fund balance is about $10.2 million, Tetens said.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation to authorize staff to prepare purchase offers for all three properties in Northfield Township at a price of $5,804 per acre, contingent on completion of necessary due diligence and the commission’s final approval.

Ypsilanti Projects

The commission discussed two projects at their May 14 meeting related to the city of Ypsilanti: (1) a proposal to grant the city $150,000 for Rutherford Pool, and (2) the proposed east county recreation center.

Ypsilanti Projects: Rutherford Pool

The topic of Rutherford Pool came up in WCPARC’s last two meetings when commissioners asked about the status of the project to replace the pool. Most recently, it was discussed at the commission’s meeting on April 9, 2013. The community pool, which is more than 40 years old, is located on the eastern end of Recreation Park at 975 North Congress Street.

On May 14, WCPARC director Bob Tetens recommended that WCPARC rescind its earlier decision to grant $50,000 and loan $75,000 to the project. Instead, his recommendation was now to provide a grant of $150,000 for the pool replacement. [.pdf of staff memo on Rutherford Pool]

County parks & rec commissioner Fred Veigel, who also serves on the county road commission, lives in Ypsilanti.

By way of background, the Friends of Rutherford Pool (FoRP) entered into an agreement with the city of Ypsilanti in 2003 to take over responsibility for the pool’s daily operation, maintenance and improvement, because the city no longer had the financial resources for that. Tetens told commissioners that by 2010, everyone realized the pool needed major work. Natatorium staff from Eastern Michigan University and pool staff from Ann Arbor parks & recreation had assisted in assessing the pool and concluded that it had to be replaced.

The FoRP began to raise money and to work on a design for a new pool. They secured grants from multiple foundations, corporations, community leaders, and citizens. [As of May 17, the FoRP website stated they are within $51,000 of their goal.] In August 2011, WCPARC agreed unanimously to provide $50,000 as a grant and $75,000 as a bridge loan. The city of Ypsilanti and FoRP also obtained a $300,000 Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources trust fund grant.

Now, Tetens said, the cost of a replacement pool is more than originally anticipated – more than $900,000. He indicated that based on an outpouring of support from the community, this project is important. The pool is consistent with and complementary to broader efforts by the county parks & recreation commission to enhance recreational opportunities and the quality of life in the community. In addition, the debt repayment on the $75,000 bridge loan could provide a hardship for meeting the pool’s operating expenses.

Tetens said that because FoRP has succeeded in obtaining an MDNRTF grant, commissioners should consider making a contribution consistent with their past practice of providing an amount half or more of that state grant, or $150,000.

Commissioner Fred Veigel moved to rescind the original grant and loan totaling $125,000, and to agree to contribute $150,000 to the city of Ypsilanti to help complete the Rutherford Pool project. Commissioner Janis Bobrin seconded the motion.

Ypsilanti Projects: Rutherford Pool – Commission Discussion

Discussion first focused on whether the FoRP had a business plan that would adequately operate, maintain and fund future needs of the pool. What is the plan and who is responsible for carrying it out? Commissioners asked whether they could attach a condition to the WCPARC grant. The condition would be that there must be a business plan that meets approval of WCPARC staff.

Conan Smith, Dan Smith, Janis Bobrin and Bob Marans all spoke in favor of having such a plan. Commissioner Rolland Sizemore, Jr. promised to sit down and “make sure we have everything we need.” Near the end of the discussion, all agreed that what they wanted was an agreement that ensures the new pool will not need replacement “until after we are all dead,” as Bobrin put it. This brought the discussion to a close, with agreement that the motion needed no amendment.

Outcome: Unanimous agreement to rescind the earlier grant of $50,000 and $75,000 loan, and to approve a grant of $150,000.

Ypsilanti Projects: East County Recreation Center

Tetens provided a brief update on this project to build a recreation center, similar to the Meri Lou Murray Rec Center in Ann Arbor, on the northwest corner of the 38-acre Water Street redevelopment area on Michigan Avenue. [For background, see Chronicle coverage: "Public Gives Input On East County Rec Center"]

The Ypsilanti city council recently approved sale of property on the northeast corner of the site for a Family Dollar store. Tetens reported that the city council passed a resolution on May 7 supporting the rec center project, with only one negative vote – from Lois Richardson. The next step, he said, would be to build a new pedestrian bridge, then in 2014 construct a section of the Border-to-Border (B2B) trail on the east side of the property along the Huron River. Finally, in 2015, the recreation center would be constructed. Tetens reported that the city of Ypsilanti’s revised grant application to the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources – to extend the B2B into the Water Street redevelopment area – is under review.

Tetens said he expected to have the market study, being carried out by the Ann Arbor YMCA, for the June WCPARC meeting. [The Ann Arbor YMCA is partnering with WCPARC on this project.] Bob Marans said he had told Ypsilanti mayor Paul Schreiber that the rec center would be to Ypsilanti what Frank Gehry’s museum was to Bilbao, Spain, and that the community planning meetings had shown strong support for the project. Commissioner Jan Anschuetz said “people were furious” over recent newspaper articles that said officials involved with Ypsilanti’s master plan revision were reconsidering the size, location, and feasibility of the rec center. She noted that having council reaffirm its support was critical.

Projects and Activities

Each month, WCPARC staff provide updates to commission members about ongoing improvements to WCPARC’s facilities, and activities at parks and natural areas. The reports include development projects, special initiatives, interpretive programs, and other happenings. Collectively, they provide an overview of the extent of WCPARC’s activities.

Projects & Activities: Meri Lou Murray Rec Center HVAC

Deputy director Coy Vaughn provided a description of the problem – that the HVAC system at the MLM rec center on Washtenaw Avenue is 23 years old and wearing out, requires too much staff attention, and uses too much energy. The proposed solution is a three-step replacement of the existing system. [.pdf of staff memo regarding rec center HVAC system]

The total cost to heat and cool the building in 2012, Vaughn said, was $76,525. A new control system would save about $23,000 a year and cost $108,000, returning the investment in 4.7 years.

The first step is to replace the pneumatic control system with a digital system, which Vaughn proposed to do after moving forward with a request for proposals (RFP). This step is needed partly because it’s “getting hard to find people who can fix pneumatic systems,” he said.

The second step would be to reset and calibrate the dampers and valves in the system, also known as balancing the system, he said, and would cost about $13,000. The third step – replacing the air-cooled chiller for $94,000 – would reduce operating costs from 2012’s $26,557 by an estimated $3,186 annually. Vaughn proposed to do the last step after issuing an RFP in the fall. The total cost, he said, was well within the budgeted $200,000.

There was no substantive discussion on this item.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation to move forward with an RFP to install and calibrate a new digital controls system at the MLM rec center, and to authorize a second RFP to be issued this fall for the installation of a new chiller.

Projects & Activities: Marketing and Communications Report

In previous meetings, WCPARC director Bob Tetens had promised a staff report on renewed marketing and communications plans, partly to promote WCPARC’s offerings, and partly in preparation for a millage renewal coming in 2014. Meghan Bonfiglio, planner for WCPARC, prepared the report but was unable to attend the May 14 meeting, so Tetens presented the report.

He began by reminding commissioners that there are over 1 million visits annually to WCPARC facilities. Marketing covers a wide range of media: internet ads, paid ads in print media, social media; printed material such as brochures and maps; sponsorship of activities, programs and events; news stories; and videos. Starting this summer, WCPARC will have an ad on a large AATA bus for one month, costing $800. The bus goes on varied routes and so it will be seen around the AATA’s service area.

WCPARC uses social media: Facebook, Yelp, LivingSocial, and Groupon. WCPARC also provides promotional items, such as towels, magnets, bags, and bottles to celebrate events, including the opening of new trails, preserves, or park amenities.

Sponsorships are another means of marketing. Those include the kids’ zone at Chelsea’s Sights & Sounds festival, the Ypsilanti Pops Festival and Heritage Festival, Huron River Day, and events such as summer concerts, mountain bike and Fat Tire bike races, winter hikes, log cabin day at Parker Mill Park, geocaching, and the Walk & Wag event on behalf of the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Videos include the history of WCPARC, which is available on the WCPARC website and YouTube. Staff have started to work on new, shorter videos, one for each park.

Tetens concluded by saying that the message – which is now “Here’s what you can do at our parks and preserves” – will be modified as the millage renewal gets closer.

Outcome: After brief positive comments, WCPARC accepted the report for filing.

Images of blue herons on a fence at the new Independence Lake Park spray-and-play zone, called Blue Heron Bay.

Projects & Activities: Independence Lake

Independence Lake Park has undergone substantial improvements in its water park, which is now a separate section called Blue Heron Bay. Most of the work is done, Tetens reported, as Vaughn showed slides of the new buildings, two new 12-foot-high water slides and other water features, improved picnic area, and parking. Signage will soon go up, and all is on track for a grand opening on Memorial Day weekend.

Projects & Activities: Rolling Hills

Rolling Hills park and water park have also been improved and enlarged. The new buildings – including a new ticket booth and bathhouse – as well as mechanical systems are complete, and the three new 32-foot-high water slides are being installed. The overall effect, Tetens said, is to “make the water park more open and inviting, since the new entrance brings you in facing the wave pool.” There is a new parking lot and new landscaping, which includes three acres of sod served by sprinklers. Rolling Hills will also open Memorial Day weekend.

[For additional background, see Chronicle coverage of WCPARC's July 24, 2012 meeting, when the projects at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks were discussed in detail.]

Projects & Activities: Sharon Mills Park

Vaughn reported that a new pedestrian bridge at Sharon Mills Park is set on the abutments, and final restoration work on disturbed soil is in progress. The park’s former bridge was built as part of the dam, he explained, and when it deteriorated staff determined it would be more cost effective over the long run to replace the bridge rather than restoring it.

Projects & Activities: Other Updates

Commissioners were provided with brief updates on a range of other items:

• Border-to-Border trail: Staff continue to work with the village of Dexter and Michigan Dept. of Transportation on the final 1/8-mile extension of segment D1, the River Terrace Trail, to connect the trail to the village at Central Street.
• Trinkle Marsh Preserve: The landscape restoration for the parking lot, and observation decks, are nearly done.
• Spike Preserve: A third section of boardwalk through a portion of wetlands was completed by Cross Lake Construction.
• Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve: The restoration of the boardwalk and bridge railing is in progress.

Financial Reports

Each month, WCPARC receives a report on claims to be paid that month, and on expenditures, income and fund balances for parks and recreation, and for the natural areas preservation program (NAPP).

Financial Reports: Claims in May 2013

Total claims for May were $408,280. Most of that was for parks and recreation, with expenditures of $387,741. By far the greatest expense was $270,058 in capital improvements, most of those at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks. NAPP expenditures totaled $20,539. Expenses for NAPP were related to due diligence activities pursuant to purchase of new land. [.pdf of May claims report]

Outcome: Unanimous approval for paying these claims.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance Statements

According to the fund balance statement as of April 30, 2013, parks and recreation income for the year to date was $6,458,836. Most income – $5,808,410 – is property tax revenue, with another $617,278 coming from fees and services. Expenses were $3,376,544.

WCPARC also budgets for an operating reserve of $6.7 million and funding commitments for partnerships of $925,000, which are recorded as expenses on the balance sheet. The beginning fund balance, on Jan. 1, 2013, was $12,950,815. The fund balance as of April 30, 2013 is $8,408,106. [.pdf of parks & rec fund balance statement]

The natural areas preservation program, which began the year with a fund balance of $10,263,644, has received $2,986,307 in revenue and spent $733,990, for a new fund balance of $12,515,960 as of April 30. [.pdf of NAPP fund balance statement]

Outcome: Unanimous approval to receive and file the financial reports.

Recreation Reports

WCPARC staff regularly report on the number of participants and amount of revenue at its operations that count participants and revenue. During the winter, the only facility that reports this information is the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center. In the spring and fall, the report includes Pierce Lake golf course. During the summer, Independence Lake and Rolling Hills parks are included.

Recreation Reports: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

Activity at the rec center has remained “flat,” according to WCPARC director Bob Tetens. Total participation as of the end of April was 125,106 this year. That compares to 124,824 last year and 133,430 in 2011. Revenue, however, was up this year compared to the last two years: $505,474 in 2013, $464,897 in 2012, and $500,927 in 2011.

The report also counts county residents and non-residents. Among membership users, non-residents remained a small percentage: 1.94% this year, compared to 0.85% last year and 0.47% in 2011. Non-residents were a much higher percentage of daily pass users, however: 7.15% this year, up from 5.34% last year and 4.88% in 2011. [.pdf of MLM rec center report]

Recreation Reports: Pierce Lake Golf Course

Weather, of course, has a huge effect on golf participation, Tetens reminded everyone. That 2012 had better spring golfing weather than the year before or after is obvious from the number of greens users, he noted: 2,534 this year, 3,268 in 2012, and 1,391 in 2011. Total revenue showed the same impact: $59,396 so far this year, compared to $86,166 last year and $33,657 in 2011. [.pdf of Pierce Lake golf course report]

Outcome: Unanimous approval to receive and file the reports.

Communications & Commentary

During each meeting, commissioners have the opportunity to raise issues or concerns. Here are highlights from the May 14 meeting.

Communications & Commentary: Dog Parks

Jan Anschuetz began by praising the dog park at Swift Run as wonderful, appreciated, and heavily used. But, she noted, it has flaws – there is no place for shelter from the wind, sun, or rain, for example. She expressed a hope for a gazebo.

Anschuetz acknowledged that pounding posts into the ground was not possible [because Swift Run was formerly a landfill and produces noxious gases]. WCPARC director Bob Tetens acknowledged the dog park’s shortcomings, but emphasized the danger of gas. Staff had, he said, been thinking about other places to establish dog parks, especially after the recent difficulty that the Ann Arbor parks staff has had in finding an acceptable spot for one in the city. [A proposal to place a new city dog park in Ann Arbor's West Park has met resistance from local residents. For background, see Chronicle coverage: "Parks Agenda: Downtown, Dogs, Dams, DTE." The Swift Run dog park, located at Ellsworth and Platt, is a joint project of WCPARC and the city of Ann Arbor.]

After other commissioners expressed a desire for another dog park, especially one with water, Tetens said that staff are looking at Rolling Hills, or perhaps off Medford at the County Farm Park – in Ann Arbor, near the recreation center.

Anschuetz closed the discussion with this: “We’ve done so much to provide water recreation for people – now let’s do it for the dogs.”

Communications & Commentary: MLM Rec Center

Board president Bob Marans said he had noticed the importance of the Meri Lou Murray recreation center as a social or gathering place for senior citizens. It is more than a place to exercise and has great importance to many people for that reason, he said, adding that this is another “tribute to the building.” [Marans is an architect who taught at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.]

He suggested collecting comments and oral histories to use in publicizing the value of the facility in marketing, and as a tribute to Meri Lou Murray’s leadership. Murray, who was instrumental in founding the WCPARC, died last year.

Present: Pat Anschuetz, Janis Bobrin, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith, Dan Smith, Fred Veigel.

Absent: Evan Pratt, Patricia Scribner.

Staff Present: Director Bob Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Next meeting: Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, in the County Farms property.

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A view of the 721 N. Main site in Ann Arbor, looking south from Summit Street. The Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission awarded the city a $150,000 grant to develop trails in the property, but only if the city gets matching funds from the state. (Photos by the writer.)

Four communities received grants from WCPARC under that trail-building program: the village of Dexter ($225,000); Ypsilanti Township ($75,000); Pittsfield Township ($150,000); and the city of Ann Arbor ($150,000). Funding for Ann Arbor – only half of the $300,000 that the city had applied for – is to fund a trail at 721 N. Main, a city-owned site that’s being redeveloped. The award is contingent on the city receiving a matching grant from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MDNRTF).

WCPARC is also applying for an MDNRTF grant, hoping to get $300,000 to help develop a master plan for the Staebler Farm County Park. The 98-acre property, which straddles Plymouth Road in Superior Township, had been a family farm for nearly a century. The commission held a public hearing on this issue, and heard from four nearby property owners who raised concerns about trespassing. The proposal calls for WCPARC to contribute $450,000 in county funds to the project.

Moving forward on another major project, commissioners approved three actions related to the proposed recreation center on Ypsilanti’s Water Street redevelopment site, located along Michigan Avenue. WCPARC agreed to share equally with the Ann Arbor YMCA in a $28,000 market study to help determine whether there’s enough community interest to support the proposed center. Commissioners also authorized staff to move forward with the acquisition, for $31,500, of an easement from the Huron Fischer Honda Leasing Co. for a section of the Border-to-Border (B2B) trail that would connect Riverside Park to the Water Street site. The third action was a resolution acknowledging a partnership between WCPARC and the city of Ypsilanti to design, build and operate the rec center.

And WCPARC also authorized staff to apply for $1.4 million from the federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) to extend the B2B River Terrace Trail from Dexter-Huron Metropark east 1.1 miles to Zeeb Road. TAP is administered through SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments). The application would be in partnership with Scio Township and the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

Connecting Communities Grants

Deputy director Coy Vaughn presented a report about WCPARC’s Connecting Communities project, beginning with a review of information he had provided to WCPARC in February. The program is a commitment by WCPARC to provide $600,000 a year for five years – a total of $3 million – to help governmental entities in Washtenaw County build trails for non-motorized transportation. This is the program’s the fourth year, Vaughn said – 2014 will be the last.

This year, he said, six communities applied for funding for eight projects. WCPARC staff met with its greenways advisory committee to score each project. The projects with the highest ranking – labeled “rating” on a score sheet provided in the WCPARC meeting packet – received funding. [.pdf of Connecting Communities staff recommendations] Not recommended were a $230,000 application from Northfield Township and a $300,000 application from Superior Township.

The village of Dexter had the highest score for its proposal to continue the River Terrace trail from the bridge going west into the village – a 1,300-foot connection. Although the request was for $300,000, Vaughn said staff felt it could be built for $275,000, so that was the recommended award.

Second-highest rated proposal was from Ypsilanti Township to build three segments of trail along Whittaker, Tuttle Hill, and Textile Road. The township had applied for $295,000. However, staff recommended awarding $75,000 to build only a 1,000 foot section along Textile Road, since the township has not yet completed the project awarded by Connecting Communities in 2012. Staff suggested that the township defer the two other segments until the 2014 round of applications.

Pittsfield Township scored third highest for the second phase of the Lohr-Textile Greenway (LTG). This phase would be 1.76 miles extending east along the north side of Textile Road, past State Street, to the Marshview Meadow Park and Pittsfield Preserve. This is an expensive project because it contains extensive wetlands, according to the staff report. The township is applying for grants from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MDNRTF) and the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program to help fund the $1.8 million project. The township had applied for $400,000 from Connecting Communities. Staff recommended awarding $150,000, contingent on success obtaining the other grants. Failing that, the award would not be granted and the money would become available for other projects.

A map showing recommendations for the city-owned property at 721 N. Main St.

Ann Arbor’s proposal for a $300,000 grant – for an as-yet-incomplete plan to build a trail at 721 North Main on city-owned property formerly used for vehicle storage and servicing – only scored fifth highest. Even so, WCPARC staff recommended awarding the city $150,000, contingent on the city obtaining a $300,000 grant from MDNRTF. As with the Pittsfield Township grant, if no state funding is received, the Connecting Community grant would not be awarded.

Vaughn provided additional background on Ann Arbor’s applications. In 2011 and 2012, the city submitted applications to Connecting Communities to construct the initial segment of the Allen Creek Greenway, on the city owned property at 415 W. Washington. The site’s limited connectivity to other trails or public spaces caused these proposals to score low.

Vaughn said WCPARC had suggested that Ann Arbor start closer to the county’s Border-to-Border trail, and he indicated that the city has done so with this current request. However, Vaughn said, the city hasn’t yet figured out exactly how those B2B connections will be made, and are still researching options.

By way of background, a task force established by the Ann Arbor city council on May 7, 2012 has been working to develop recommendations for a much broader area than 721 N. Main, including the North Main corridor and extending to the Huron River. The task force is supposed to provide recommendations for the area by July 31, 2013. Meanwhile, on Feb. 19, 2013 the council approved a $30,000 study of the main building on the site. The council also has voted to use a FEMA grant to demolish two buildings on the site that are in the floodway.

Connecting Communities: WCPARC Discussion

WCPARC vice president Patricia Scribner recused herself from the discussion and vote, citing her position as treasurer of Pittsfield Township.

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz asked about Northfield Township’s application. “They came in fourth,” she said. “What do we say to them?”

Commissioner Dan Smith responded, saying that the township still needs to finish the project’s first phase, which he described as involving “complicated engineering” over a railway crossing, a creek, and a freeway interchange. Smith – who represents District 2 on the county board of commissioners, which includes Northfield Township – then continued by thanking staff for their “great work in sorting through all of this.”

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously approved the staff recommendations for Connecting Communities grants totaling $600,000.

Staebler Farm County Park

WCPARC president Robert Marans invited Coy Vaughn to present background information about a proposal to apply for $300,000 from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund. The grant would fund a master plan for the 98-acre Staebler Farm, which WCPARC has owned since 2001. [.pdf of staff memo and WCPARC resolution]

Plymouth Road bisects the site, which is immediately south of M-14. Vaughn explained that because crossing Plymouth is treacherous, the plan is to put parking, trails, and other public activity on the north side of the road. To the south, where Don Staebler still resides under his agreement with WCPARC, a farmer raises hay on several acres. South of the hay fields the land drops off and becomes marshy, and Vaughn said those areas would be left natural. There are several water features on the site: Fleming Creek runs through it, he said, and it has frontage on Frains and Murray lakes. Vaughn said the intent of Phase I in developing the park is to continue farming on the south side of Plymouth. Vaughn referred briefly to a presentation made to WCPARC in June 2012. [See Chronicle coverage: "County Parks: Options for Staebler Farm"]

Vaughn continued to describe the activities that would be possible at Staebler Farm. In general, it would be a “farm learning center,” he said, perhaps including a program to help Michigan State University train farm managers, which would also provide a caretaker for the park. Other features could include a community garden; a trail and bridge across the creek, leading to fishing in the two ponds from borrow pits created when M-14 was constructed; pavilions; and rest rooms.

Vaughn expressed optimism about the grant application: “We think it will score high with the trust fund because of the pedestrian trail, fishing pier, and improvements we will make to Fleming Creek, which is highly eroded by the presence of about 20 cattle walking in it.” He said the creek was damaged by the cattle “doing what cattle do in creeks.” The applications are due April 1, and use of the grant money would be possible in 2015. The maximum grant this round will be $300,000. Because the master plan will cost about $750,000, applying for the grant commits WCPARC to providing the remaining$450,000.

Staebler Farm County Park: WCPARC Discussion

In response to a question about trails, Vaughn said they would be limited, and would keep visitors on the north side of Plymouth Road. Commissioner Evan Pratt, who serves on WCPARC by virtue of his elected position as county water resources commissioner, asked whether WCPARC would use a consultant they already know. WCPARC director Bob Tetens responded that they would put the project out to bid to about a half dozen of the “same cast of characters” who typically bid on such projects.

Commissioner Dan Smith commented that WCPARC staff had done some planning themselves. Tetens said that yes, they did the WCPARC master plan in house, and used MSU staff to help with the outline of the farm plan.

A slide showing Phase 1 of a plan to develop the Staebler Farm.

Commission member Janis Bobrin clarified her understanding of the cost as $750,000, and asked for more information about when grant money would be available. Vaughn explained that preliminary scoring will be done in August and final scoring in December; money would not be in the WCPARC budget to spend until 2015.

Dan Smith had another question: “Have you found anything at all like this around the state?” Vaughn said yes, they had, at Wolcott Mill, but they had not yet visited it. [Wolcott Mill is one of the Huron Clinton Metroparks in Macomb County. It is east of Romeo Plank Road, and extends from 26 Mile Road to 29 Mile Road.] Commissioner Nelson Meade commented that his parents used to use Wolcott Mill.

In response to a follow-up question from Dan Smith, Vaughn noted that the only other similar site is at Kensington Metropark, but it is not an operating farm.

Commission member Rolland Sizemore Jr., who also represents District 5 on the county board of commissioners, moved to go into the public hearing on this project, and WCPARC voted unanimously to do so.

Staebler Farm County Park: Public Hearing

The public hearing was somewhat informal, with commissioners and staff responding to speakers throughout the hearing.

Three members of the Fishbeck family – William, Betty Jo, and Anne – spoke first. [As background, according to Superior Township records, the Fishbecks own 14 properties in the vicinity of Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road and the Staebler Farm. Salem Township records show two properties owned by Betty Jo Fishbeck. A report from the Ecology Center in June 2006 noted that purchase of development rights from the Fishbecks was a “cornerstone” in creating the northeast section of the Ann Arbor greenbelt.]

Anne Fishbeck asked: “What are your plans to protect the neighbors from the public wandering in? I live right next door.” She wondered how WCPARC planned to “keep people from getting confused” between her private land to the east of Staebler Farm, and the public land that WCPARC owned.

Vaughn replied that WCPARC would probably fence in the entire property. Anne Fishbeck said she would like that. She then asked about Murray Lake. Vaughn indicated that the plan is to keep it natural, with no public access. “It’s very wet around the lake,” he said. “At the most we might build a trail in the future, but no swimming, boating, or fishing.”

Kevin Conway said he lived off Prospect Road near Murray Lake, and that he was interested in the farm’s development after Phase 1. He asked if he was correct that there is no plan right now beyond that first phase? Several commissioners indicated that he was correct. Conway then remarked that the public would like to go on Frains and Murray lakes, but those lakes are private. What, he wondered, will ensure security when the park is closed? Does the county see an issue with people crossing the Staebler Farm parkland and going onto the lakes?

Vaughn replied that there would be a caretaker on the farm, and that there will be no convenient place for people to park on the south side of Plymouth. Tetens told Conway that “we try to manage access. We don’t provide access to every bit of what we own, and we don’t intend to build public access on the south side.”

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz added: “You will have time to provide input when we get to the next phases. We have a major problem with Plymouth Road – we don’t want families getting mowed down there.” She indicated that WCPARC is very interested in using this park to teach children about farms all year long. There might be beekeeping classes, barn or country dances, or 4-H meetings. “I hope we can use our parks 100% of the time,” Anschuetz said. “We’ve done a careful job restoring the barns with taxpayers’ money, and we want to continue to use that money carefully. People are getting interested in raising their own vegetables and chickens.”

Bob Marans, president of WCPARC, then asked Vaughn what his best guess on timing was – when would the actual work be done? Vaughn indicated that the work would happen in 2015.

Marans asked what would happen beyond that? Vaughn said: “I would guess the trails and other improvements are five to eight years out. We will slowly implement the type of farming we want over time and build that up, but that is not a new use.”

Marans pointed out that this project is a work in progress that will evolve over time, with additional opportunities for public input. Tetens built on the idea, saying that WCPARC staff had met with representatives from MSU as well as from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, who are interested in the possibility of having veterans work on the farm.

Sizemore added that WCPARC tries to go out of its way not to create problems for the public, and WCPARC staff are available to address any problems. With respect to the southern portion of the site, Dan Smith indicated that Plymouth Road will act as a block to pedestrian access. “We do not want people to cross it, and that will prevent us from putting anything for the public on the southern half,” he said, adding that WCPARC will probably put in fencing all along Plymouth Road.

Conway asked whether most of the recreation will be on the north side? Yes, commissioners replied, at least for the foreseeable future. Tetens amplified the idea: “The south side might have naturalist classes and interpretive signs, and guided tours for school kids.”

From left: WCPARC director Bob Tetens, and commissioners Pat Scribner, Rolland Sizemore Jr., and Dan Smith.

Conan Smith turned to the Fishbecks and asked: “How do you feel in general?”

Both Anne and Betty Jo Fishbeck repeated the issue regarding trespassers, which was their major concern. “It is super naïve to think people will not cross Plymouth or try to go to Frains Lake, which is all private,” Anne Fishbeck said. “Right now, people drive into our drive. We see them, and there are not enough sheriffs to take care of it.”

Anschuetz, looking surprised, said, “We have not heard about this before.” Betty Jo Fishbeck replied: “People think they can come on the property and go cross country skiing. The sheriff was chasing a guy who went right through Don [Staebler]’s property and ours, trying to trespass back to the lake. That field and Plymouth Road will not be any deterrent.”

When Anschuetz asked whether a fence would help, Anne Fishbeck replied that “it would have to be a big fence.”

Anschuetz observed that no matter who owns it, “there is a problem with an attractive piece of property.” She asked what WCPARC could do. Anne Fishbeck suggested having someone live on the property, and having daily sheriff deputy patrols come by.

Sizemore recommended that “we wait and see what really happens. I can tell you that this board will do all it can to keep people from trespassing.”

Conan Smith suggested that residents could meet with Coy Vaughn to discuss options for protecting their property. “We have preserves all over – some have public access, but some don’t, and we have to grapple with these issues,” Smith said. “Coy can talk to you about management plans. These are private lakes. We can establish guidelines and agree on what we want to have the rules be, and work to make sure they are effectively enforced.”

Dan Smith expressed his appreciation “that you came here to tell us your concerns. With Plymouth Road and Prospect Road, there is more public knowledge and access. Thank you for coming out at this early phase.”

Marans also thanked the four residents who had spoken, and declared the public hearing at an end. There was no further discussion.

Outcome: Commissioners gave unanimous approval for staff to proceed with a grant application to the state Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund for $300,000 to develop a master plan for Staebler Farm.

Eastside Recreation Center

Several items on WCPARC’s March 12 agenda related to a new recreation center proposed for just east of downtown Ypsilanti, at the northwest corner of the 38-acre Water Street development site. [For additional background on this project, see Chronicle coverage: "Public Gives Input on East County Rec Center"]

Eastside Recreation Center: Market Study

On the agenda was a resolution approving a market study about the new recreation center, in partnership with the Ann Arbor YMCA. The cost would be split, with each entity paying $14,000.

This item of new business, WCPARC director Bob Tetens explained, is the next step as the county looks to partner with Ypsilanti and the Ann Arbor Y to develop the recreation center. “The more partners, the better,” he said. “The Y is very interested but they have to do due diligence.” Part of that is a market study, he continued. The proposal before WCPARC was to authorize staff to proceed with the market study and to pay $14,000, or half the total cost of the survey, with the Ann Arbor YMCA paying the other half.

Commissioner Janis Bobrin said she would play devil’s advocate: “We are doing this to see if the market can indeed support a rec center? What if we find we don’t have the market we thought we did?”

Tetens had several responses. First, he said it would not be a surprise if the study found there wasn’t a current market for the center. The Y has scholarship programs for people who could otherwise not afford membership, he continued, and “we can program to attract people.”

Janis Bobrin, a member of the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission.

Tetens also spoke of “informal surveys” that WCPARC has done, but noted that WCPARC has a “vested interest” in the project. [As background, Tetens has frequently stated that WCPARC surveys over the years have shown strong interest in having WCPARC facilities in the east part of the county.] Also, he noted that CBRE – the real estate broker charged with selling sites in the Water Street redevelopment area – has studied the site, and even without a recreation center, the WCPARC’s Border-to-Border trail will run through the property.

Bobrin had another question: “Can we take it on faith this will be cost effective and well done, and trust the Y?” Yes, Tetens replied.

The WCPARC meeting packet included the proposal for a market study by FourSquare Research Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia. [.pdf of market study proposal] The proposal states that the company has conducted nearly 700 studies for YMCAs and nonprofits nationwide, and has worked with many YMCAs in Michigan.

The scope of work described in the proposal includes:

• community needs and demands, which covers how many households will join and how much revenue will be generated;
• programming and member services to determine which features are most desired;
• marketplace and pricing;
• partnerships;
• social impact, i.e. how a new facility could make the community better and improve the quality of life of residents.

The proposal describes a nine-step process, using qualitative and quantitative research, including focus groups, developing a survey instrument and conducting a telephone survey, tabulating results, and delivering results to answer questions about the forecasted number of households that would join. Other information to be provided in the final report includes anticipated annual revenue, specific recommendations for facility development, and specific suggestions for marketing, programming, and pricing strategies.

The proposal states such studies take between two and three months, and that this one will cost $28,000. According to the proposal, if the project starts in mid-March, it will be completed in late May.

Bobrin took note that the proposal identified the YMCA as having “full ownership of the study findings and final report.” She asked that it be modified by adding WCPARC as an equal owner. Tetens agreed that could be changed. There was no further discussion.

Outcome: Commissioners gave unanimous approval of the proposal to proceed with the market study in partnership with the Ann Arbor YMCA, and to split the cost with each entity paying $14,000.

Eastside Recreation Center: Easement for B2B Trail

This item has often been before the commission: The question of how to get the countywide Border-to-Border (B2B) trail from Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park to the site of the proposed rec center. To do this requires crossing the Huron River, navigating the grade up from the river to street level, and crossing Michigan Avenue.

The city of Ypsilanti and WCPARC have worked on this problem for the last year, first hoping to build a new pedestrian bridge underneath the Michigan Avenue bridge over the Huron River to the Water Street site and further south, eventually, to Waterworks Park. Ypsilanti obtained a Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Trust Fund (MDNRTF) grant in partnership with WCPARC to do that, but later the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) determined that the bridge was not feasible, because it would cause “a serious scour problem,” according to a written report from Tetens.

Therefore, an alternative location for a pedestrian bridge was identified: perpendicular and to the north of the Michigan Avenue bridge. According to Tetens, this would bring people using the B2B trail across the river and allow them to cross Michigan Avenue, via a crosswalk, to get to the Water Street site. The plan requires purchasing an easement from the Huron Fischer Honda Leasing Company. It also requires obtaining an MDOT permit to install a high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) traffic signal to facilitate safe crossing of busy Michigan Avenue.

The city of Ypsilanti is unable to afford the easement cost, so the proposal before WCPARC was to authorize the county parks & rec staff to move forward with purchasing the easement for $31,500.

Bob Marans asked for clarification of the location of the easement, which has a triangular shape, and Coy Vaughn provided a slide to show that. Tetens explained that while the first MDNRTF grant will pay for this bridge over the Huron River, another MDNRTF grant would be required to extend the B2B trail along the east side of the Huron River south of Michigan Avenue all the way to Grove Road. He noted that “documentation of site control is a requirement of state funding – the project cannot move forward unless the easement is purchased by WCPARC.”

Tetens said he eventually wants to connect all the way to Ford Lake.

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz spoke of the original wonder of Waterworks Park decades ago. It was, she said, “incredible, with a dam like a waterfall with a fish ladder, and a real zoo during the Depression. People would come and camp out there.” Commissioner Rolland Sizemore Jr. recalled that there used to be a glass factory in the vicinity, and “we used to play down there – there were hundreds of bottles.”

Sizemore also expressed a concern: “Are we going to be able to build a walkway across Michigan Avenue? We don’t want to pay for an easement we can’t use.” Tetens responded that the agreement is written so that WCPARC has until August, “and if we can’t cross Michigan Avenue, or if the bridge is too expensive, then we aren’t committed to buy the easement.”

There are already indications, he said, that a crossing is warranted there. “I am optimistic that we can get a pedestrian activated crossing there.” Anschuetz asked if she understood correctly – that WCPARC must have an agreement on the easement in order for MDNR to disperse the grant money. Tetens indicated that was correct.

There was no further discussion.

The document provided in the WCPARC meeting packet indicates that Burgoyne Appraisal put the value of the easement at $28,000, and the appraisal cost was $3,500.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the proposal to authorize staff to move forward with the purchase of an easement, for $31,500, required to proceed with this project to extend the B2B trail across the Huron River and across Michigan Avenue.

Eastside Recreation Center: Partnership with Ypsilanti

The third item related to the eastside rec center was a resolution acknowledging a partnership between the city of Ypsilanti and WCPARC to design, build, and operate a community recreation center in Ypsilanti’s central business district – the Water Street redevelopment area. [.pdf of partnership resolution]

The proposal in the WCPARC meeting packet made reference to the Jan. 10, 2012 letter of intent between WCPARC and Ypsilanti, as well as the WCPARC contract for design services from the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Noting the limited resources available to Ypsilanti, the resolution called for Ypsilanti to “provide sufficient land” at the Water Street redevelopment site to allow WCPARC to proceed to the design phase. That phase would include defining the site plan and determining the exact footprint of the project and the amount of land necessary.

The resolution’s three resolved clauses state:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that by way of this resolution the undersigned parties publicly demonstrate their support for this project and their commitment to provide the necessary resources and/or skills, to work together cooperatively and in good faith, in the best interests of the community, towards the completion of this ambitious effort, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Ypsilanti agrees to provide sufficient land at the preferred site as previously agreed to in the Letter of Intent approved on January 10, 2012 to allow the Commission to confidently proceed to the design phase; that the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission agrees to proceed with the design phase for the building and further define the site plan, including determining the exact footprint of the project and the amount of land necessary, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the parties agree that this intergovernmental, public/private partnership demonstrates a commendable and challenging level of collaboration that should serve as a model for future efforts to improve the quality of life for residents in communities throughout Washtenaw County.

The meeting packet also included a copy of the same resolution passed unanimously by the Ypsilanti city council on Feb. 19, 2013.

At WCPARC’s March 12 meeting, Tetens explained that the amount of land would be between 8-12 acres, and that the Ann Arbor YMCA was not part of this agreement because “the Y was more comfortable with it being a two-part agreement.”

There was no further discussion.

Outcome: The partnership agreement was approved eight to one. Dan Smith voted against it, but did not state his reason for voting no.

Transportation Alternative Program Application

Coy Vaughn presented a proposal that authorized WCPARC staff to proceed with an application for $1.4 million from the federal Transportation Alternative Program. The application would be made in partnership with Scio Township and the Washtenaw County Road Commission, with WCPARC providing a $300,000 local match. [.pdf of staff report]

He explained that the program – known as TAP – is a federal transportation funding program to support non-motorized transportation. It’s administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Vaughn explained the root of this proposal. In 2012, Scio Township received a $250,000 Connecting Communities grant from WCPARC to build the first phase of a trail from the township offices – located on Zeeb Road just north of I-94 – heading north on Zeeb Road to Dexter-Ann Arbor Road. The project is stuck due to problems acquiring the easements needed to build the trail.

Rather than risk losing the Connecting Communities grant – which will happen if Scio Township cannot obtain the easements and enter a construction contract by March 2014 – staff discussed shifting funds to help construct a portion of the Border-to-Border trail. The project would extend the recently completed River Terrace Trail from Dexter-Huron Metropark east 1.1 miles to Zeeb Road, at a cost of $1.4 million. It would be completely on Huron Clinton Metropark Authority property and in the Huron River Drive right-of-way.

According to Vaughn’s report, the project is reflected in the current capital improvement plan at $1.5 million, for construction in 2014. Vaughn added that SEMCOG would allocate $5 million in TAP funds to communities in 2013, the same amount as in 2012.

Transportation Alternative Program Application: WCPARC Discussion

Bob Marans asked about WCPARC’s relationship with SEMCOG, saying “their money is hard to get.” Bob Tetens allowed that there wasn’t a close relationship. However, he added, “we have a lot to show them if they come to visit the project site – all that we have built around Dexter.” Also, he stressed the partnership aspect of this proposal, with the county road commission and the township.

Commission member Evan Pratt underlined that this part of the B2B gets heavy use, and Tetens agreed.

There was no further discussion.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously approved the proposal to submit a grant application to SEMCOG for TAP money in the amount of $1.4 million. The resolution also reallocated $250,000 previously granted by WCPARC to Scio Township, and added another $50,000 of WCPARC funds to make a local match of $300,000.

Rolling Hills Landscaping

Meghan Bonfiglio, superintendent of park planning, presented recommendations for the Rolling Hills ring road and water park landscaping plan. Her report explained that the ring road project was completed in the summer of 2012 but that final landscaping was not part of that project. The water park improvement project is underway and will also require landscaping.

With two landscaping projects, staff decided to achieve economies of scale by removing the landscaping portion ($85,000) from the contract with Sorensen Gross Construction Services, and handling the landscape planning in house. Staff created the plans, and put them out for bid.

Bob Tetens commented that staff who did this work were “younger, computer literate people.” Three bids were received, the lowest from Washtenaw County’s Margolis Companies, with whom planning staff have had positive experience. Bonfiglio showed slides of the plans, and photos of the plants. The plants are 95% native and chosen to provide four-season interest: Echinacea, goldenrod, and grasses, for example. Bonfiglio recommended awarding the contract to Margolis for an amount not to exceed $200,000, with a contingency of $10,000.

After the meeting, Bonfiglio provided additional information about the other bids:

• Margolis Companies: $199,935
• Underwood Nursery: $255,488
• Erie Construction: $364,400

Rolling Hills Landscaping: WCPARC Discussion

Dan Smith said it’s “fantastic” that WCPARC staff have the expertise to handle this project.

Rolland Sizemore Jr. asked about a “pretty nasty” residence that was located to the right of gate into Rolling Hills. He asked whether anything could be done about it.

Bonfiglio pointed to screening that would hide the house and its junk cars, so that vehicles using the entry road wouldn’t see it. Tetens added that Ypsilanti Township should do enforcement.

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the recommendation to award the landscaping contract to Margolis Companies.

New Signs for Rolling Hills and Independence Lake

Bonfiglio also presented a recommendation to award a contract to Harmon Sign, for fabrication and installation of new signs at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks. The amount would not exceed $24,500.

The signs are specifically for the improved Blue Heron Bay Spray Zone at Independence Lake Park and the water park at Rolling Hills. The signs cover facility rules, wayfinding, and other information that is either useful in the opinion of staff, or required by state law or the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The goal, she said, is to replace all the signs to achieve “a more uniform branding” as well as assure compliance with current requirements.

As with the landscaping, staff did the design and released a request for proposals (RFP). The recommended vendor, Harmon Sign, has offices in Novi and production facilities in Toledo. They have done work for large projects, including the University of Michigan stadium and the Detroit Riverwalk.

After the meeting, Bonfiglio provided additional information about the bids:

• Harmon Sign: $24,319
• Valley City Sign: $26,958
• Signs by Crannie: $30,238

New Signs for Rolling Hills and Independence Lake: WCPARC Discussion

Discussion was brief. In response to a question, Bonfiglio explained that the content and location of signs are determined after consultation with staff who work in those parks, and with attention to local, state and national laws and regulations.

Commission members expressed approval – using words like “awesome” and “amazing.”

Outcome: With no substantive discussion, the recommendation was unanimously approved.

Financial Reports

WCPARC’s reports separate “recreation” (parks, facilities, and functions) from the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), because the two components of WCPARC’s responsibilities are funded by separate millages.

Financial Reports: Claims

The February 2013 claims report for recreation – including parks, facilities and functions, but excluding natural areas preservation – showed total claims of $559,020. The bulk of that – $345,584 – was for capital improvements.

Bob Tetens provided a separate sheet showing major non-recurring expenses for recreation that included five items over five figures:

• $251,217 to Sorenson Gross for construction at Independence Lake;
• $76,300 to Vortex for building the splash pad at Independence Lake;
• $75,360 to John Deere Financial, the annual cost for leasing equipment;
• $60,000 to the city of Saline for a Connecting Communities grant;
• $17,920 to Turfgrass Inc. for turf chemicals.

For the natural areas preservation program, claims totaled $87,112. Major non-recurring expenses on Tetens’ list were payments of $25,232 and $43,832 (totaling $69,064) to Brock and Associates for boardwalk construction at Draper Houston Meadows Preserve.

In addition $3,183 was paid to Mannik and Smith for work at Draper Houston and Baker, respectively; and $6,500 to Williams and Associates for appraisals of the Preimeau parcel ($3,000) and West Pier ($3,500).

The total claims presented to WCPARC for both recreation and NAPP was $646,132.

Outcome: with no discussion, claims were unanimously approved.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – Recreation

Tetens introduced this report by noting that activity is at a minimum at this time of year, and that WCPARC is only in the second month of the year. The beginning fund balance on Jan. 1, 2013 was $12,950,815. The report for Feb. 28 showed year-to-date revenue of $4,747,138 (most of it property tax revenue) and expenses of $987,644 (most for personnel and land development). In addition, WCPARC keeps an operating reserve of $6.7 million and sets aside $925,000 for partnerships, such as the Connecting Communities program. At the end of February, the projected fund balance for Dec. 31, 2013 is $13,186,587.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance – NAPP

NAPP’s beginning fund balance on Jan. 1, 2013 was $10,263,644. Revenue to date at the end of February was $2,277,053, mostly from property taxes. Expenses were $223,539, mostly for land acquisition. The projected fund balance at the end of 2013 is $12,889,014. Tetens remarked that there are “no purchases on the front burner right now.”

Outcome: With no discussion, the financial reports were unanimously accepted and received for filing.

Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

Bob Tetens pointed out that the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center is the only WCPARC recreation operation open now. Both membership and participation are up, he said, and revenue is stable. In addition, “we are 72 days away from Super Friday” – meaning the opening day. We are, he promised “about two meetings away from a much thicker report.” Commissioner Dan Smith added, “meaning a larger file to download.”

According to a WCPARC written staff report, total year-to-date memberships at the center reached 1,187 in 2013, up from 1,165 in 2012. Total year-to-date revenue of $264,991 in 2013 is also up compared to $249,565 in 2012. However, the report showed that total participation has fallen in the last year: 63,615 in 2013 compared to 67,824 during the same period in 2012.

Commissioner Pat Scribner asked whether there had been any response to the rate increases that WCPARC adopted in February. Tetens said no, but he pointed out that those increases were not yet implemented. Commissioner Nelson Meade reported that most of the seniors he knows think the rates are too low.

Conan Smith asked, “Why can’t you rent a locker overnight?” Tetens replied that it’s a problem. “People leave the locks on and their stuff in the locker and don’t come back.” Smith said he would appreciate being able to leave his clothes in a locker. There was a brief discussion of the negative consequences to having many articles of athletic clothing stored for long periods of time. Tetens ended the discussion by pointing out that there are thousands of different users and not nearly enough lockers to allow overnight use.

Outcome: This was not a voting item.

Activities, Accomplishments, and Awards

Using written and verbal reports and slides, Bob Tetens and Coy Vaughn together presented a wide array of information about project, activities and awards. The projects to improve the water-based recreation activities at the Rolling Hills water park and the Independence Lake spray-and-play zone received the most attention, as both are major capital improvements. Vaughn showed slides of the construction, which is on schedule at both locations, and Tetens averred that both are on schedule to open Memorial Day weekend.

Slides of activities over the last month included the Daddy-Daughter dance at the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center around Valentine’s Day; ongoing work to maintain parks, such as building picnic tables and doing repairs in the off season; and the Fat Tire bike race at Rolling Hills.

The city of Ann Arbor received the 2012 Michigan Recreation and Park Association’s Park Design Award for the Argo Cascades along the Huron River. WCPARC paid the city $112,500 to help improve Argo Cascades – it’s one of the funding partnerships to which WCPARC is committed. And WCPARC received honorable mention from the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners Innovation and Excellence Program, for the Malletts Creek and County Farm Park drain restoration.

Executive Session

At the end of the meeting, WCPARC went into executive session to discuss the performance review for director Bob Tetens. No additional action was taken.

Present: Jan Anschuetz, Janis Bobrin, Robert Marans, Nelson Meade, Evan Pratt, Patricia Scribner, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith, Dan Smith.

Absent: Fred Veigel.

Staff present: Robert Tetens, Coy Vaughn, Meghan Bonfiglio.

Next meeting: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the county parks and recreation department’s office at 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, in the County Farm property.

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Map showing two Ford Road Property LLC parcels (encircled) that the county is purchasing for its natural areas preservation program. A third parcel, which fronts Ford Road, is not part of this deal. The land is located in Superior Township.

In a separate vote, WCPARC authorized staff to undertake due diligence toward a sales offer on 473 acres on the border of Jackson and Washtenaw counties. This deal – for the Trolz property in Manchester Township – is a project that could result in a new state recreation area that includes the southwest corner of Washtenaw County. [See Chronicle coverage: "County Pursues Major New Parks & Rec Deal"]

Commissioners also bid adieu to Jimmie Maggard, who has served on WCPARC for over 30 years, and to outgoing county commissioner Barbara Bergman. Janis Bobrin, who has served on WCPARC for more than two decades by right of her position as Washtenaw County water resources commissioner, did not run for re-election but will continue on WCPARC as a public member. [She was appointed by the county board at their Dec. 5 meeting.] Evan Pratt, who was elected water resources commissioner on Nov. 6, will join WCPARC in January – he attended the Dec. 11 meeting.

In the hour before the meeting started, commissioners and WCPARC staff held their annual holiday party. The highlight was a first viewing of a 30-minute video history of WCPARC, created by county staff over the past several months. The video will be available to the public soon, according to WCPARC deputy director Coy Vaughn. It will run on monitors at the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, on cable television, and in smaller segments on the WCPARC website.

Also at the Dec. 11 meeting, the commission approved spending $33,375 to buy grooming equipment for cross-country skiing trails at Independence Lake and Rolling Hills parks. Staff provided reports on finances, highlighted by expenditures to maintain and improve Rolling Hills Water Park and Independence Lake Park; reported on recent projects, including the proposed East County Recreation Center in Ypsilanti; and reviewed WCPARC’s accomplishments in 2012.

An item not on the Dec. 11 agenda will likely receive attention in early 2013: An application from the city of Ann Arbor for up to $300,000 in Connecting Communities funds. If awarded, the grant would be used as matching funds for additional state support to improve the city-owned 721 N. Main property. Applications for WCPARC’s Connecting Communities must be received by year’s end, and the Ann Arbor city council is expected to authorize the application at its Dec. 17 meeting. [See Chronicle coverage: "Grant Applications Recommended for 721 N. Main."]

Natural Areas Preservation Program Acquisitions

The county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP) was established in 2000, when voters approved a 10-year millage of 0.25 mills, which was renewed in 2010 at a rate of 0.2409 mill – lower because of Headlee rollbacks. It raises about $3 million in annual revenues. Since 2000, nearly 2,500 acres of land have been preserved countywide. The millage-funded program is overseen by the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission (WCPARC), a body appointed by the county board that also oversees the much older parks and recreation system, which was established in 1973.

At WCPARC’s Dec. 11, two deals moved forward.

NAPP Acquisitions: Ford Road Property LLC

Tom Freeman, former deputy director of WCPARC who now works as a consultant, briefly reviewed the proposal to authorize $500,000 for the purchase of approximately 65 acres in Superior Township, north of Ford Road on the east side of Berry Road, for the county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP). He had made a full presentation at the commission’s meeting in November. Approval for this kind of land deal is a two-step process, occurring at two separate meetings. Commissioners were being asked for final approval at their Dec. 11 meeting.

Sign at Schroeter property in Superior Township, adjacent to 65 acres that the county is purchasing for its natural areas preservation program.

Freeman’s report highlighted the reasons for acquiring the property, which is actually two of three parcels owned by Ford Road Property LLC: (1) It is immediately south of Superior Township’s Schroeter Park, which will provide both parking and access; and (2) it has long been on Superior Township’s list of properties desirable for public purchase because of its high quality plant life (red and white oak upland woodlots, a red maple hardwood swamp), a perennial stream, and steeply sloped topography. In addition, the property just north of this acquisition and east of Schroeter Park is one that Superior Township would like to acquire at some point. The area is part of the “Superior Greenway,” a corridor of more than 2,000 acres of protected land between Ann Arbor and Detroit. [.pdf of maps showing location of property]

Freeman also reviewed the steps taken so far: approval by the county’s natural areas technical advisory committee; an appraisal by Bosserd Appraisal Services supporting the $500,000 price, at $7,632 per acre; a phase I environmental site assessment by Mannik & Smith that found no recognized environmental condition on the property; and a boundary survey including a legal description and certified survey drawing. [.pdf of staff report on Ford Road property]

NAPP Acquisitions: Ford Road Property LLC – Commission Discussion

Commissioner Jimmie Maggard asked Freeman how many acres the county owns in Superior Township. Freeman’s reply: about 200 in preserves, plus about 100 more at Staebler Farm. “The reason we have so much,” he added,  “is we have had so many partners helping with the purchases: the city of Ann Arbor, Superior Township, and others. Yes, there is a growing area of preserve property out there and there may come a time when the township thinks we have enough, but they are very supportive of our buying this.”

Commissioner Fred Veigel followed up by asking, “Are they going to buck us because this [purchase] will take property off tax rolls?” Eventually they might, Freeman said, “but they are supportive of this purchase.”

Commissioner Barbara Bergman added her own justification: “You may take this [property] off the rolls, but the adjacent property value goes up, and you have to balance the two [effects].” Freeman added another reason: “These are not within the urban services areas and not zoned at all for dense residential.”

In a tangential discussion, commissioner Jan Anschuetz asked Freeman for information about work being done along Prospect, between Vreeland and Cherry Hill. Freeman reported that on the west side of Prospect, a wetland mitigation project is taking place that’s related to a development elsewhere in southeast Michigan, “perhaps in Wayne County.” Trees are being brought in to provide habitat for wildlife when it floods, he said.

Anschuetz also commented that “I don’t think people in Superior Township know when we make acquisitions like this.” Freeman promised to work with township staff to include the information in the township’s newsletter.

Outcome: On a roll call vote, commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of the Ford Road Property LLC parcels at a price of $500,000.

NAPP Acquisitions: Trolz Property

The commission had discussed this item at its November 2012 meeting. [Chronicle coverage: "County pursues major new parks & rec deal"] The proposal calls for WCPARC to acquire about 473 acres in Washtenaw County’s Manchester Township, part of about 2,160 acres that span the border of Jackson and Washtenaw counties. Those 473 acres include a portion of an abandoned rail corridor, running roughly east and west, which provides an opportunity for development of a multi-use trail, according to the staff report. The property also has a significantly diverse landscape with woodlots, wetlands, and open fields. This parcel – together with the rest of the property, which the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (MDNR) hopes to purchase – could then become a new state recreation area and preserve.

MDNR had the Washtenaw County portion of the property appraised, and it was valued at $1,410,895.

Before the commission at the December meeting was a resolution to authorize staff to conduct due diligence on the property, including “preparation of a survey, environmental site assessment, as well as a sales offer, contingent upon development of a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources …” These items would be brought to WCPARC for approval at a later date. [Link to .pdf of resolution regarding Trolz property]

Director Bob Tetens reported that he had received a letter in support of this purchase from Manchester Township.

NAPP Acquisitions: Trolz Property – Commission Discussion

Commission president Bob Marans reported that he and vice president Patricia Scribner, along with staff, had visited the site. “It is even more impressive when you are out there than it is in the photos,” he said. Scribner added, “All you can hear are birds.”

Around the table, there were simultaneous words of concurrence, after which commissioner Jan Anschuetz quipped, “I might need to get a horse and keep it in my garage.” It was a reference to Tetens’ description, at the November meeting, of the possibilities on this site to establish an equestrian center and horse riding trails.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously approved the resolution authorizing due diligence on the Trolz property.

Commission Changes

Before the meeting was officially called to order, Bob Marans recognized that this was commissioner Barbara Bergman’s last meeting. Bergman spoke about how much she had learned from her year on WCPARC, and of her desire to continue to be involved, perhaps as a volunteer. Marans presented her with a large bouquet of flowers. Bergman has served on WCPARC in her capacity as county commissioner. She represented District 8 on the county board, one of four Ann Arbor districts, but did not seek re-election this year.

From left: WCPARC president Bob Marans, outgoing commissioner Jimmie Maggard, and WCPARC director Bob Tetens. (Photo by M. Leary)

Marans next recognized Jimmie Maggard, who had announced in November 2012 that he would leave WCPARC after the December meeting. [WCPARC members are appointed by the county board. Maggard ran for a position on the Ypsilanti Township parks commission, and was elected on Nov. 6 for a term ending November 2016.]

Marans presented Maggard with a large plaque that had an extensive description of Maggard’s contributions over the last 37 years. Maggard then spoke of his appreciation for the excellent leadership WCPARC has had, in the three directors he has known, and for the way the group has worked together for the benefit of the entire county. Finally, staff presented Maggard with a large cake, inscribed “Jimmie Maggard, over 30 years of service to WCPARC!” Maggard’s wife and son were present, and all shared the cake.

At WCPARC’s Dec. 11 meeting, commissioner Janis Bobrin noted that the county board of commissioners had appointed her to WCPARC as a member of the public. [The appointment occurred at the board's Dec. 5, 2012 meeting.] She also introduced audience member Evan Pratt, who won the Nov. 6 general election to replace Bobrin as the county’s water resource commissioner – a role that will earn him a seat on WCPARC starting in January 2013. Bobrin has been water resources commissioner for 24 years, but did not seek re-election.

Financial Reports

The December meeting included three written financial reports. WCPARC director Bob Tetens commented briefly on each of them.

Financial Reports: Claims

The claims report for December totaled $1,845,201.25. By far the largest claims paid were on parks and facilities’ capital improvements, a total of $1,840.676. Tetens explained that major costs in the last month related to the Border to Border (B2B) trail in Dexter; the final payment for construction of the new ring road at Rolling Hills Park; the new Washtenaw Avenue entrance and path at the County Farm Park; the two ongoing construction projects at Independence Lake and Rolling Hills parks; and the non-motorized trail project on Plymouth Road.

The natural areas preservation program spent $4,524. No new property was purchased in the past month. Tetens explained that the expenditures were for preserve management ($364) and for work preliminary to making purchases ($4,160) [.pdf of December 2012 claims]

Outcome: The commission approved payment of claims.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance Statements

Tetens provided a written fund balance statement as of Nov. 30, 2012 for parks and recreation activity. The report showed revenues at 106% of the amount projected in the budget, most of that due to higher-than-anticipated property tax revenue. It also showed expenses at 98% of the amount projected in the budget. There were no questions or comments from commissioners. [.pdf of Nov. 30, 2012 parks and recreation fund balance statement]

Tetens also provided a new report: a fund balance statement for the natural areas preservation program (NAPP), which is funded with a separate millage. [For background on NAPP, parks and recreation activities, see Chronicle coverage: "County Parks & Rec System Plan for Future."] Most of NAPP’s annual budget of $3,829,607 is allocated for land acquisition: $3.2 million. So far this year, $1,029,255 has been spent on acquisition. In addition, $211,457 was spent on personnel services and $276,747 on supplies. [.pdf of NAPP fund balance sheet]

Outcome: The commission received the reports and approved them both for filing.

Recreation Reports

WCPARC director Bob Tetens made only a few comments about the reports on attendance and revenue at park facilities, emphasizing that the unusually early spring and generally warm weather in 2012 lowered attendance at the Meri Lou Murray Rec Center (MLMRC). The year-to-date attendance there was only 296,888, low compared to 2011’s figure of 311,020. Revenue was also down: $1,084,563 this year compared to $1,096,553 last year. [.pdf of recreation center November report]

In contrast, Pierce Lake Golf Course showed an increase in both attendance and revenues. In 2012, 19,278 participants generated $399,192. In 2011, 15,075 participants generated $336,309. Overall revenue from programming and retail operations at Pierce Lake was $614,570, up from 2011’s $516,632. The report also shows that opening in 2012 was on March 15, a bit more than two weeks before the April 1 opening dates in 2011 and 2010. [.pdf of Pierce Lake Golf Course report]

Rolling Hills County Park’s report showed that through November 2012, attendance at the park was 34,373, generating revenue of $266,083. This was down slightly from 2011’s 34,844 users and $267,130 in revenue. [The general park financials are accounted for separately from the Rolling Hills water park because each has its own admission charge and gate count.] At the water park, 114,522 participants generated $780,122 in revenue. In 2011, the figures were slightly higher: 115,012 participants and $780,995 in revenue. Counting all sources of revenue at Rolling Hills, 2012’s revenue of $1,318,517 was slightly higher than 2011’s $1,310,515. [.pdf of Rolling Hills report]

Independence Lake County Park showed increased attendance and revenue this year. In 2012, 17,743 participants generated $137,217 in revenue, compared to 17,008 participants and $132,27 in revenue in 2011. Programming and retail operations added to the revenue, making the total in 2012 $211,578, up from 2011’s $209,885. [.pdf of Independence Lake County Park report]

East County Recreation Center

In his report on other activities in the past month, Bob Tetens included a reference to the presentation that he, Coy Vaughn, and University of Michigan professor Craig Borum made to the Ypsilanti city council’s working session on Dec. 3, 2012, to let that group know the status of planning for the proposed East County Recreation Center.

By way of background, The Chronicle attended that council working session. Borum’s presentation there was a summary of material covered in earlier Chronicle reports, including the report on WCPARC’s November 2012 meeting. At the session, Vaughn presented information on the economic benefits that the city might expect from such a project, although his comparisons were to the impact of parks rather than recreation centers. [.pdf of Vaughn’s slide show] The city council asked few questions, but did not express a preference for either of the two site plans for the entire Water Street redevelopment area, or for either of the proposals for the building itself.

City manager Ralph A. Lange asked about the timing and in particular when the building might be done. Tetens responded that construction could not begin until 2015 and would take 12-18 months. Several levels of approval would be needed before that happens, however.

New Business

WCPARC’s December meeting included several items of new business: purchase grooming equipment for cross-country skiing trails at Independence Lake and Rolling Hills parks; a funding request from “B-Side of Youth”; and updates on various other projects.

New Business: Winter Sports Trail-Grooming Equipment

Bob Tetens introduced his recommendation, with a written support and documentation of bids, that WCPARC authorize the purchase of two snowmobiles from C and C Sports, as well as two “Ginzugroomers” from Yellowstone Track Systems Inc. The total cost for these purchases is $33,375. [.pdf of staff report and bids]

Tetens said this equipment would be used to groom six miles of cross-country ski trails, three miles each at Rolling Hills and Independence Lake parks. His introductory comment on the proposal was that it was “almost embarrassing to read about how we’ve been doing it, with a lot of manual labor and going back and forth.” Laughing, commissioner Dan Smith said the current method described in Tetens’ report was “amazing, like Rube Goldberg.”

The report stated:

The existing snow grooming equipment is a combination of borrowed, “home-made” and manufactured equipment. At both parks, the grooming equipment is towed by old, outdated vehicles which are not owned by the commission. Rolling Hills uses the park superintendent’s personal 1995 Polaris (340 cc engine, 15” wide track, and no reverse gear) snowmobile. Independence Lake utilizes a 1970’s era ski-doo alpine on loan from the Ann Arbor Ski Club (36” wide tracks, no electric start, and no reverse gear)….Each piece of equipment requires a separate pass, certainly an inefficient use of staff time, inhibiting our ability to maintain quality trails, and limiting our ability to expand the number of miles being groomed.

Commission discussion was brief but supportive.

Outcome: WCPARC unanimously approved the expenditure of $33,375 for new trail-grooming equipment.

New Business: B-Side Request for Funds

The next item of new business was a request from Jack Bidlack, director of the “B-Side of Youth,” an entrepreneurial program of Eastern Michigan University’s Office of Academic Service-Learning. The request was for $1,500 from WCPARC to sponsor a five-hour event for about 50 to 100 youth ages 12-18 years old. [.pdf of B-Side proposal]

Barbara Bergman at her last meeting – on Dec. 11, 2012 – of the Washtenaw County parks & recreation commission.

There was no motion or resolution before WCPARC, but there was discussion. Commissioner Barbara Bergman wondered that if they grant this request, where should they draw the line if there are future requests for funding? Commissioner Fred Veigel asked whether WCPARC could offer B-Side the use of one of WCPARC’s facilities in lieu of cash.

Tetens responded that the only suitable facility was the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, and “the problem is we have five or six thousand members who expect to have full use of the facility.” Veigel suggested that Tetens discuss the matter with EMU staff, and he agreed to do that.

New Business: 2012 in Review

Another presentation at the December meeting, in addition to the video history of WCPARC, was a slide show illustrating the system’s accomplishments in 2012. The presentation highlighted capital improvements, B2B trails, and Connecting Communities extensions, grants and awards earned by WCPARC, partnerships, land management and stewardship, and a kaleidoscope of programs and events put on by WCPARC.

The presentation was primarily a review of information that’s been covered in previous Chronicle reports. However, Tetens also provided some new information throughout the presentation. He highlighted the work done by WCPARC volunteers, together with regular staff, to maintain property in the natural areas preservation program. A total of 234 volunteers, he said, worked for 986 hours during 2012, which supplemented the 2,047 hours by NAPP crew from May through November.

New Business: 2012 in Review – MDNR Trust Fund Grant

Tetens also reported that the city of Ypsilanti has been informed by the state Dept. of Natural Resources that it will receive a $300,000 grant from the MDNR Trust Fund to build another half mile of the Border to Border trail along the Huron River adjacent to the proposed East County Recreation Center. [The MDNR describes the effort as a "River’s Edge Linear Park and Trail Development," which will include a "multi-use trail, plaza, fishing pier, river overlook, signage and site amenities."]

This money will be used along with last year’s grant of $289,400, which is earmarked to create a way for the B2B trail to cross Michigan Avenue and connect to the next section of the trail to the southeast.

Tetens also reported that Fischer Honda on Michigan Avenue has agreed to provide easements so the trail can cross over its property. The crossing itself has not yet been designed, Tetens said. But the intent is to both protect pedestrians and say to the automobile driver “I am crossing something important,” he said – namely, the B2B trail.

New Business: 2012 in Review – Ann Arbor Skatepark

Tetens gave an update on the Ann Arbor Skate Park, destined for construction in Veterans Memorial Park. The park is under design now, he said, and construction will start in the spring of 2013. This is, he said, yet another example of WCPARC partnerships – in this case with the city of Ann Arbor and the Friends of Ann Arbor Skatepark group, supported by an MDNR trust fund grant of $300,000 that was awarded in 2011.

“There will be nothing like it within a day’s drive,” Tetens said, adding that the park would probably not charge admission.

Commissioners applauded the overall year-in-review presentation, and commissioner Jan Anschuetz asked how it could be used to publicize what WCPARC does. Tetens responded that it could not be used easily on its own because “it requires narrative.” Commissioner Barbara Bergman commented that the show simply reminded her that she has “learned so much about these parks in the year of serving with you.”

New Business: Project Updates

WCPARC deputy director Coy Vaughn gave a presentation showing the completion of work on segment D1 of the River Terrace portion of the Border to Border (B2B) trail, which runs from Dexter Huron Metro Park to the village of Dexter.

Although it is not yet open to the public, the construction is virtually complete, with only 1/8^th of a mile remaining where the trail ends at the Dexter public works department yard.. That work depends on negotiating a right-of-way through land that the Michigan Dept. of Transportation is about to purchase from Norfolk Southern railroad.

Vaughn’s slide show included photos taken every 50 yards, showing an expansive, curving path that will accommodate all non-motorized forms of transportation. As commissioners admired the slides, director Bob Tetens added that Ann Arbor’s Peter Pollack had designed the trail, so that every time you round a curve, a new view unfolds. [Pollack, a renowned landscape architect, died in December 2010.]

As the meeting concluded, commissioner Barbara Bergman said, “What a grand finale! Now I see that I must find a way to do some volunteer work [for WCPARC].” Commissioner Nelson Meade also commented, reflecting his long-term involvement in WCPARC: “This commission is still exciting after 49 years!”

Present: President Bob Marans, vice president Patricia Scribner, secretary/treasurer Nelson Meade, Jan Anschuetz, Barbara Bergman, Janis Bobrin, Jimmie Maggard, Dan Smith, and Fred Veigel.

Absent: Rolland Sizemore, Jr.

WCPARC staff: Director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, planner Meghan Bonfiglio, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Next regular WCPARC meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the parks and recreation commission administrative offices, 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor.

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Sign on the Trolz property in Manchester Township, which might become part of a new state recreation area in southwest Washtenaw County. (Photo by Russ Serbay.)

The proposal is to partner with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources to acquire a total of 2,160 acres straddling the border of Jackson and Washtenaw counties – the Trolz property. The area includes an abandoned rail right-of-way that could become a multipurpose trail.

The county parks system would purchase about 461 acres of that total area – a parcel located in Manchester Township and appraised at $1.37 million. The commission authorized staff to conduct additional work on the potential deal, with a final proposal and request for approval in the coming months.

The commission also received an update on the proposed East County Recreation Center from Craig Borum, professor at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Borum presented two options for laying out the entire 38-acre Water Street redevelopment area in Ypsilanti, where the rec center would be located. He also reviewed two possible draft designs for the recreation building on a portion of the site.

The commission kept up its pace of land preservation efforts, often in partnership with other organizations. It gave final approval to acquire conservation easements on the 124-acre Drake property in Lodi Township, in partnership with the Ann Arbor greenbelt program. Final approvals were also given for easements on the 73-acre Hornback property in Salem Township, partnering with the greenbelt and Salem Township; and for the 213-acre Bailo property in Superior Township. In addition, the commission authorized preparation of a purchase offer for 65 acres in Superior Township – the Ford Road property – at a price of $500,000, contingent on completion of all due diligence and the commission’s final approval. When completed, WCPARC’s contribution to all these deals would total $900,224 to preserve 475 acres.

The nine-member commission will face some turnover in 2013. At the end of the meeting, commissioner Jimmie Maggard announced his intent to resign after 24 years of serving on WCPARC. Barbara Bergman, who serves on WCPARC because of her position as a county commissioner, did not seek re-election and will be leaving the county board at the end of 2012. The same is true for Janis Bobrin, who did not seek re-election as the county’s water resources commissioner. She’ll be replaced by Evan Pratt, who won the seat in the Nov. 6 election. Bergman expressed the hope that Bobrin would be appointed to a vacancy on WCPARC – those appointments are made by the county board.

Trolz Property Acquisition

Bob Marans, the commission’s president, introduced a proposal to acquire about 461 acres in Manchester Township, an opportunity for partnership with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources to create a much larger new state recreation area at the headwaters of the Raisin River. He said the state’s new emphasis on place-making means the DNR is not just looking at areas “way out in nowhere,” but rather is looking for land with possibilities for recreation and wildlife preservation closer to populated areas.

The concept is, Marans said, that WCPARC and DNR would purchase all of the 2,160 acres remaining in what was originally the 3,500-acre Trolz estate. Tom Freeman, retired deputy director of WCPARC who now serves as a consultant, made a presentation to supplement a written recommendation by director Bob Tetens. Freeman explained that the proposal was for WCPARC to buy the 461 acres in Washtenaw County, using primarily funds from the county’s natural areas preservation program. The county would purchase the bulk of those acres with NAPP money, then use recreation funds to buy an abandoned rail track that runs through the entire property, which could become a multi-use trail to serve pedestrian, cyclists, and the equestrian community.

Freeman said it would be “fabulous kayaking and a fine migratory bird area.” The property includes a building that is ¼-mile long and could be used as part of an equestrian center, he said. According to the staff report, the property includes a “significantly diverse landscape,” with woodlots, wetlands and open fields. As part of the headlands for the River Raisin, the property is crossed by several small streams with a “rolling topography.” An appraisal prepared on behalf of the DNR found the 461 acres to be worth $1,374,295 – or $2,981 per acre. [.pdf of details for Trolz property appraisal] [.pdf map of Trolz property]

Trolz Property Acquisition: Commission Discussion

Commissioner Jan Anschuetz asked about the funding, saying: “We have specific ways to use NAPP, but we don’t have that with rec money. How are we going to sort it out?”

A view of the Watkins home on the Trolz property. (Photo by Russ Serbay.)

Bob Tetens replied that WCPARC would use parks & recreation funds for land to connect the natural areas – that is, to purchase the 36.53 acres that are in the rail corridor. Tom Freeman pointed out that the land in Jackson County includes Watkins Lake. Asked about the lake’s depth, Freeman reported that it’s no more than 8-10 feet deep. That prompted commissioner Fred Veigel to ask whether it would hold fish in the winter. Yes, Freeman said. Tetens then interposed: “The only thing they [MDNR] are not interested in is hunting.”

Freeman noted that the property in Jackson County includes historic structures, such as the Watkins home, which was part of the Underground Railroad – a recent article in Michigan History magazine featured this property, he said. There were exclamations over a slide of a brick Italianate house.

“Don’t get too excited,” Tetens joked, reminding the group “we’re not taking any action tonight” on the actual purchase.

Commissioner Janis Bobrin asked about the property’s operation or management. Freeman replied that a majority of the responsibility would be the state’s. Anschuetz asked what the DNR plans to do with the buildings. Freeman responded, “as a historic property, the farm house would stay.” He added that “the property is so large that Watkins had his own train stop.”

Freeman also pointed out that the property is very close to the Leonard Preserve, the largest NAPP area, just northwest of the village of Manchester.

Tetens added, “We need to take a trip out there. It is breathtaking. If I won the lotto, I would buy it all.”

Outcome: Unanimous approval of the motion to authorize WCPARC staff to initiate the necessary due diligence examination of the Washtenaw County portion of the Trolz property, including preparation of a survey, environmental site assessment, and if justified, a sales offer, contingent upon development of an acceptable participation agreement with the Michigan DNR. All items subject to review and final approval by the WCPARC

East County Recreation Center

About a year ago, the county parks & recreation commission announced plans to explore a possible new recreation center for the eastern side of Washtenaw County. The 12-acre site is located within Ypsilanti’s Water Street area, on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of downtown and next to the Huron River.

At WCPARC’s Nov. 13 meeting, director Bob Tetens began the discussion by reviewing the project’s background, including a letter of intent signed earlier this year with the city of Ypsilanti for WCPARC to carry out preliminary planning. The concept is that Washtenaw County would pay for the building, while Ypsilanti would donate the land and the Ann Arbor YMCA would operate the facility. Tetens further explained that the design team, WCPARC staff and YMCA president Cathi Duchon had visited several rec building around the state to get ideas. [See Chronicle coverage: "More Planning for Rec Center in Ypsilanti." Information about the project is also posted on the county’s parks and recreation website and on the PLY Architecture site.]

Tetens introduced Craig Borum, a professor of architecture at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning (TCAUP), who is leading the preliminary design work. Borum used slides and models to illustrate his description of the work that a team of TCAUP faculty and students have done over the last six months to develop both a site plan for the entire 38-acre Water Street redevelopment area, and a design for a recreation center building. The presentation was essentially the same as the Sept. 27, 2012 public forum at SPARK East in Ypsilanti. [See Chronicle coverage: "Public Gives Input on East County Rec Center"]

Borum’s presentation focused on the main qualities of the proposal: that it aimed to provided sustainable urban design; that the rec center would become a catalyst for other development; and that the project would “promote environmental consciousness even after the [rec] building is finished.” The project also is intended to highlight the significance of both the Huron River, which runs along the west side of the site, and of Michigan Avenue, on the north side of the site.

Borum pointed out that the Water Street site was the same size – 38 acres – as all the rest of downtown Ypsilanti, to underline the importance of continuing the sense that you are still in the city when you are on the east side of the Michigan Avenue bridge over the Huron River.

East County Recreation Center: Site Plans, Building Design

Borum presented two possible ways to organize the whole Water Street site: (1) Jeffersonian squares creating a grid, similar to the existing grid in downtown Ypsilanti, of about 12 blocks; or (2) long narrow “French” lots – or ribbons – that would run between the Huron River and Michigan Avenue. The grid scheme would have commercial uses along Michigan Avenue, transitioning to residential uses on the south side, where the Huron River bends to create the southern border of the site. The ribbon scheme creates an extension of River Street as a boulevard connecting Michigan Avenue to the Huron River. Both approaches are urban and emphasize both the river and the canopy of trees that will eventually develop on the site.

Model of a conceptual “canopy” design for a proposed new recreation center near downtown Ypsilanti. It was one of two models displayed at a Sept. 27 open house to get feedback on the proposed project.

Borum tagged the two possible designs for the recreation building itself as the “storefront” and the “canopy.” The “storefront” would be narrow and long, presenting its face on Michigan Avenue almost like the downtown buildings west of the river and running along the river. The exterior of the building would be “frit glass,” which Borum explained was glass embedded with ceramic bits that could create whatever image the owner desired. His slides showed the glass “fritted” to resemble the façades of a few typical downtown Ypsilanti buildings.

The “canopy” building design had a completely clear glass exterior, so that “you would feel you were under the canopy in a park,” Borum said. Both designs had similar amounts of space devoted to the several activities in the rec building: a reception desk, running track, exercise and meeting rooms, a two-part indoor pool with cool-water lanes for lap-swimmers, and a warm-water pool with a graded entry area suitable for children and those who need assistance such as a walker or chair.

East County Recreation Center: Commission Discussion

Commission member Jan Anschuetz commented that the use of glass for natural interior illumination was similar to the architectural style of early Ypsilanti buildings. She specifically cited the Woodruff School, which was built before there was electricity. Borum replied that the interior sketches in his presentation showed the spaces as they would be when lit by natural light.

Anschuetz commented on the “canopy” design by saying that “this one is very unpopular – people feel it is ugly.” She was referring to comments she had seen on Facebook. She noted that many people in Ypsilanti have spent a lot of money restoring their houses, and even have restored city hall. “We have to be sensitive about why people live in Ypsilanti,” Anschuetz said. “We want to have a rec center, but you have to be very careful with this. People don’t like this one [the canopy design] at all. Many neighborhood groups are strongly opposed.”

WCPARC commission chair Bob Marans responded by saying that the UM team led by Borum is not designing the building – these are conceptual ideas. “Once we get the funding, we will hire someone to design it,” he said. Anschuetz repeated her objections to the “canopy” design, concluding, “The strength of our community is in restoration.” Borum noted that feedback from the public presentation in September showed that the canopy design was ahead with perhaps 80% of the votes that were submitted by the public. WCPARC planner Meghan Bonfiglio spoke in agreement.

Commission member Fred Veigel asked whether Borum had considered translucent panels on the roof. Borum said he had, but that “the payoff on solar is long, about 30 years now. It will get better down the road. The 30-year payback includes the cost of equipment and installation.”

Anschuetz asked Tetens why the project contemplated having the Ann Arbor YMCA operate the facility. Tetens answered that WCPARC can’t afford to both build and operate it, because at the start there will not be a lot of members. He added that the Y has decades of experience running an urban rec center.

Commissioner Barbara Bergman asked for confirmation that the Y was “willing to take the financial risk.” Yes, Tetens replied. Bergman than inquired, “How is the [Ypsilanti] city government responding to this?” Tetens said there is some concern, but the Water Street property – which is owned by the city – hasn’t been on the tax rolls for years. The site also is in the floodplain, and “the valuable property is at the corner of Michigan and River Street” – not where the rec center would be located.

Tetens then segued into a related matter: How the Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) would cross Michigan Avenue. He said he had just gotten word that WCPARC’s application for funding from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources had scored very high, “so we are likely to get it.”

Discussion closed with Anschuetz’ comment that the September rec center presentation was “wonderful.” There had been standing room only, she said. Borum promised to provide booklets on the presentation to commission members, and Tetens said the Ypsilanti city council would get briefed in November or December. “We have until July 2013 to come to agreement,” he said, based on terms outlined in the letter of intent with the city of Ypsilanti.

Outcome: This was an item for discussion only, with no vote required.

Conservation Easements

During their Nov. 13 meeting, commissioners approved several new conservation easements that will protect land through the county’s natural areas preservation program (NAPP). A conservation easement is a legally enforceable agreement – between a landowner and a government agency or a land trust – for the purpose of conservation. The purchase of development rights (PDR) is a common mechanism for protecting undeveloped land by letting owners keep their property for farming or other specified uses but preventing its development. Development is prevented through a conservation easement.

WCPARC contracts with the nonprofit Legacy Land Conservancy (LLC) for work on conservation easements like the ones discussed during the November meeting. Susan Lackey, the conservancy’s executive director, and Robin Burke, the LLC land protection coordinator, were on hand to brief commissioners about these deals. Commissioners also were provided written reports prepared by WCPARC director Bob Tetens.

Conservation Easements: Bailo Property

The seven parcels in this deal – owned by the Bailo family – are located in Salem Township, covering 213 acres on the north and south sides of Six Mile Road between Dixboro Road and Pontiac Trail. [.pdf map of Bailo property] According to Tetens’ written report, the acquisition of development rights by WCPARC “would compensate the landowner for the cost of development rights, would establish an agricultural conservation agreement between the landowner and WCPARC to keep the land in agriculture in perpetuity, and would maintain the private ownership of the land.” An appraisal by Bosserd Appraisal Services identified a value of development rights of approximately $430,000. To facilitate this purchase of development rights, the report continued, WCPARC had received a grant of $203,840 from the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

Lackey noted that the property has been in the Bailo family for 80 years. It’s a valuable parcel because of the woodland (with a harness track in the middle) that is relatively intact, with a wetland that drains into the river. Burke showed photos taken from walking through the property, including a 60-acre pumpkin field. She described “high quality woods on the north side, with a vernal pond where there is habitat opportunity for salamanders, toads, and turtles.”

Lackey reported that the phase one environmental survey revealed “nothing scary.” Salem Township, she said, “would contribute paperwork worth $2,000.” That comment brought a simultaneous response from Janis Bobrin and Barbara Bergman: “Is that all?” Tetens added that Salem Township had done the application for FRPP funding, and “as time goes on, that participation will grow.”

Commissioner Jimmie Maggard asked whether WCPARC would own this land. Lackey explained that the county would hold a conservation easement, so that the land is protected and can’t be built on. However, the property would be owned by the private landowner, who will continue to pay taxes. She noted that it’s part of a farmland protection program adopted by the county board of commissioners in May 2010.

Maggard responded that “it seems funny we would put in two to three hundred thousand dollars and the land will just sit there.” Bergman pushed back: “There is a legacy for the citizens in the future. We are buying beauty.” Bobrin joined in: “The commissioners and the community place a value on knowing that farming will continue. Without this, the incentive to sell for development is a danger.”

Commissioner Fred Veigel raised a different concern, asking “Is it too late to get a separate appraisal, from another group?“ Lackey responded, “This appraisal was done for the county. I was surprised at how low it was for this location. I had expected it to be twice that.” Bergman added, “This is the time to do it.”

Outcome: The motion to accept the recommendation to authorize final approval to purchase the development rights on the Bailo property at a price of $430,000, with $203,840 to be reimbursed by the FRPP, passed with dissent by Jimmie Maggard.

Conservation Easement: Drake Property

This item had received preliminary approval at the September 2012 WCPARC meeting. The Drake property is 124 acres in Lodi Township on the south side of Waters Road. [.pdf map of Drake property] Preservation of the property is “a high priority for both the Ann Arbor Greenbelt and Lodi Township. A collaborative or partnership approach is proposed,” according to Tetens’ written report. The Ann Arbor greenbelt program would contribute 80% of the price of the conservation easement, or $439,456. WCPARC’s natural areas preservation program would contribute 20%, or $109,864. Lodi Township is contributing $1,000.

The Ann Arbor city council had approved the greenbelt contribution at the council’s Oct. 15, 2012 meeting.

Tom Freeman, former deputy director of WCPARC now serving as a consultant, highlighted that the Drake property is one of the few remaining dairy farms in the county. Of the acres under consideration for the conservation easement, about half are farmed and half are natural. The property contains a high quality woodlot and wetland, and has been “well-managed from a forestry standpoint,” Freeman said. There is a “diversity of trees in age, with a clean understory,” he said.

There was no discussion among commissioners.

Outcome: On a roll call vote, the Drake conservation easement was unanimously approved at $109,864.

Conservation Easement: Hornback Property

This conservation easement would be for 73 acres in Salem Township at the northeast corner of Ann Arbor’s greenbelt, on the east side of Pontiac Trail extending due east and widening to the south to meet Brookville Road, according to Tetens’ written report. The property contains a mature woodlots and wetland areas, with about 30% of the property used for farming. The owners want to retain five acres for a future home site. [.pdf map of Hornback property] WCPARC gave initial approval to this deal at their September 2012 meeting.

Consultant Tom Freeman noted that like the Drake property, the Hornback land was nominated by the Ann Arbor greenbelt for a conservation easement. He was impressed with both the quality of the property and with the partnership being offered: 20% of the cost would come from Salem Township ($64,200), 20% from the county’s NAPP program ($64,200), and 50% from the Ann Arbor greenbelt program ($160,500). The final 10% would come from the property owners, who offer a 10% reduction in the price of the conservation easement.

An appraisal by Williams & Associates put the value of a conservation easement at $321,000, or $4,400 an acre. Mannik & Smith Group did a phase I environmental assessment, and there is a boundary survey including legal description and sealed survey drawing.

Outcome: There was no discussion. A roll call vote was unanimously in support of the recommendation to commit $64,200 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on 73 acres of the Hornback property.

NAPP Acquisition: Ford Road Property

This proposal had been on the agenda for the October meeting, which was cancelled for lack of a quorum. There are three parcels totaling 147 acres in the northeast portion of Superior Township. The proposal before WCPARC was the purchase the northern two parcels – 65 acres – for $500,000. Bosserd Appraisal Services established this value. [.pdf map of Ford Road property]

The property lies north of Ford Road on the east side of Berry Road, just south of Superior Township’s Schroeter Park, which can provide both parking and a trail into the Ford Road land. Tom Freeman presented information about the site, saying that Superior Township has wanted it for some time but is financially unable to acquire it. He pointed to a survey conducted in 1992 by Ellen Weatherbee, who had described the property in glowing terms, noting the high quality of its plant life and stating that it was one of the highest quality pieces of property in the township.

Freeman described the “dramatic contour lines and heavy woods, comprised of red and white oaks, along with a small area of hardwood swamp filled with red maples. A perennial stream cuts through a steeply sloped topography,” part of the River Rouge headwaters.

The county’s natural areas technical advisory committee (NATAC) identified this as a high priority property for acquisition. The relatively high price of $7,692 per acre is due to the property’s proximity to residential development and the Lucas nursery, Freeman explained. This price, he added, is consistent with what NAPP paid for other property in Superior Township: about $8,000 per acre for the J.A. Bloch property on Prospect Road [for the Meyer Preserve], and comparable to the Pellerito property on the southeast corner of Prospect and Cherry Hill Roads.

There was no commission discussion on this item.

Outcome: Unanimous approval to authorize preparation of a purchase offer for the northern portion, 65 acres, of the Ford Road Property LLC at a price of $500,000, contingent upon completion of all necessary due diligence examination of the property and the commission’s final approval.

Rolling Hills Contract Change

WCPARC deputy director Coy Vaughn reported on the Rolling Hills master plan, with the most recent work being on the ring road and trails.

In addition to reporting on completion of phase I, Vaughn asked for approval of change orders to the contract with Dan’s Excavating – for an additional $328,123, or about 10.5% of the original contract for $3.121 million. With the change order, the total contract amount now comes to $3,449,373.

Of the added expenses in the change orders, Vaughn said, 80% were “advancing the capital improvements program.” WCPARC director Bob Tetens added that the biggest changes were in the width of the road, and storm water management. This was, he said, the final change order.

Tetens’ written memo to commissioners listed seven additions to the work and cited several unforeseen unfavorable site conditions, including “multiple areas of heavy clay soils within the storm water management features” and “areas disturbed by Detroit Edison’s crew installing underground electrical service.” The report concluded that “Dan’s will continue to maintain the seeded landscape areas…and are responsible for replacement/repair of deficient items during the warranty period….In general terms, the project is now complete.”

There was no substantive discussion among commissioners on this item.

Outcome: The commission gave unanimous approval to a one-time change order of $328,123, based on the overall work performance of Dan’s Excavating Inc., and their ability to complete the project elements on schedule. The vote also established a final total contract value of $3,449,373 to complete the Rolling Hills Phase I master plan.

Financial Reports

The November meeting included written financial reports covering two months, since WCPARC’s October meeting had been cancelled.

Financial Reports: Claims

The commission received two claims reports: for October and November 2012. In October, a total of $651,872 claims were paid: $647,944 on parks and facilities’ operation and improvements (of which $412,596.24 was for capital improvements primarily at Independence Lake parks); and $3,928 for NAPP acquisition and management. [.pdf of October claims]

In November, a total of $1,890,407 in claims were paid: $1,804,792 on parks and facilities’ operation and improvements (of which $1,266,293 was for capital improvements at the Meri Lou Murray Center, Rolling Hills, and Independence Lake parks); and 400,000 for funding partnerships, primarily for the Border-to-Border Trail in Dexter. [.pdf of November claims]

Outcome: The commission approved payment of claims in the amounts above, which for the two months totaled $2,542,279.

Financial Reports: Fund Balance Statements

Two financial reports were provided – for the months of September and October. Neither required approval, and neither generated comments or questions. [.pdf of fund balance statement through Sept. 30, 2012] [.pdf of fund balance statement through Oct. 31, 2012]

Recreation Reports

WCPARC director Bob Tetens highlighted the increase in rounds at the Pierce Lake golf course, which as of the end of October 2012 were 19,246, up 31% from the previous year’s 14,677, in spite of the heat this year. [The number was up only 7% from 17,926 rounds in 2010]. Revenues for all operations at Pierce Lake were $613,449, up 21% from $508,437 in 2011; but an increase of 17% from $523,869 in 2010.

Tetens also underlined the effect of the warmer-than-usual year on attendance at the Meri Lou Murray Rec Center. In the last three years, 2010 through 2012, attendance was 281,326; 282,669; and 268,978. Revenues for those three years were $977,986; $1,006,356; and $997,406. So even though attendance was 12,348 less in 2012 than in 2010, revenues increased $19,420 from 2010 to 2012.

Independence Lake County Park gate attendance (and total revenue) through October was 17,743 ($211,458) in 2012; 16,968 ($209,427) in 2011; and 16,842 ($201,458) in 2010.

Rolling Hills County Park’s numbers are more complex, because there are two different admission counts and charges: just to use the park; and to use the water park. Attendance at the park (and revenue) was 34,288 ($265,617) in 2012; 34,816 ($266,930) in 2011; and 33,583 ($258,910) in 2010. Attendance at the water park dwarfed that at the rest of the park: 114,522 ($780,122) in 2012; 115,012 ($780,995) in 2011; and 113,635 ($761,453) in 2010. Total revenue at Rolling Hills – which has rental facilities, food concessions, and winter operations exceeding those of the other parks – was $1,317,900 in 2012; $1,310,255 in 2011; and $1,247,549 in 2010.

Recreation Reports: Development Projects

Tetens reported that the spray-and-play zone at Independence Lake is about 80% complete for the building, spray zone, landscaping, and electrical service. TriMedia was hired to update the sewage pump system serving the beach center.

At Rolling Hills, the water park expansion is well underway, with the block structure for the bathhouse building nearly done and underground utility piping and storm water piping complete. The improvement in both parks will be done and ready for opening on Memorial Day 2013. Tetens predicted that 2013 “will be a remarkable year for us,” with these two huge improvements.

At the County Farm Park, paving work and site restoration is nearing completion for the pathway from Washtenaw Avenue to the Platt Road pavilion, creating what Tetens called “a new front door.” He reassured commissioner Fred Veigel that “all the dead trees have been taken out.”

At Sharon Mills Park, replacement of the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the millpond dam with a new, prefab steel truss bridge is in progress.

Recreation Reports: Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail

The Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail continues to be built at Dexter’s River Terrace. The boardwalk sections are nearly finished and asphalt paving is underway. Staff also erected blazes on the B2B in Ann Arbor from Fuller Road to the Argo Cascades.

In Ypsilanti, city staff revised the application to the state DNR to extend the B2B into the Water Street redevelopment area, with WCPARC financial support. That application is under review.

Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP) Update

Several updates were given in a written report presented to commissioners.

Acquiring natural areas requires several steps, and after acquisition they must be maintained. To assist acquisition, a baseline environmental assessment was done for the Baker property purchased in Lima Township and sent to the state Dept. of Environmental Quality. WCPARC staff also made site visits to properties under consideration in Manchester, Freedom and Salem townships; and WCPARC forwarded the title search and a revised phase 1 environmental assessment for the Arbor Vistas project to the state DNR.

Staff also received a schedule for constructing a boardwalk in the Draper-Houston preserve; engaged a contractor to build a parking lot and observation decks for the Trinkle Marsh at Easton Farm preserve and another to construct boardwalks and bridges through the wetlands of the Spike Preserve; continued to remove invasive species, especially invasive shrubs, from parks and preserves; and began to develop management plans for Scio Woods and West Lake preserves, as well as a low-impact wayfinding system for all NAPP preserves.

Commission Changes

As business drew to a close, commission member Jimmie Maggard announced, “As of today, this will be my last meeting.” He said he was resigning from the commission after 24 years, and has other projects in the works in Ypsilanti Township.

Jimmie Maggard at the Nov. 13 meeting of the county parks & recreation commission. (Photo by M. Leary.)

President Bob Marans expressed surprise and said, “I am sorry to see you go, and I appreciate your contributions.” When Fred Veigel proposed that the commission present Maggard with a plaque to commemorate his service, Maggard replied: “I just want my golf course pass.”

Maggard then thanked his colleagues on the commission. “We’ve always been on the same level, always thinking about the citizens, what we can do for them, keeping the parks clean. We’ve had Bob [Tetens] for quite a while now and he’s done a great job.”  Maggard said Tetens was leading them in the right direction. He also praised the transition when Coy Vaughn was promoted to succeed Tom Freeman as deputy director. “I want to thank everybody,” Maggard concluded. “I’ll change my resignation to the end of the year.”

Commission member Barbara Bergman chimed in to say, “The next meeting will be my last. [She did not seek re-election to the county board of commissioners, the reason for her seat on WCPARC.] I hope to remain on the mental health board. Hopefully there will be one slot that the chair can appoint and I hope it will be Janis [Bobrin, who is retiring as county water resources commissioner – position that entitled her to a seat on WCPARC. Evan Pratt, newly elected water resources commissioner, will take that place]. As much as I love WCPARC, this spot belongs to Janis. I haven’t,” she added, “been here long enough to get a cake.”

Present: President Robert Marans, vice president Patricia Scribner, secretary/treasurer Nelson Meade, Jan Anschuetz, Barbara Bergman, Janis Bobrin, Jimmie Maggard, Dan Smith, and Fred Veigel.
Absent: Rolland Sizemore, Jr.

WCPARC staff: Director Robert Tetens, deputy director Coy Vaughn, planner Megan Bonfiglio, and consultant Tom Freeman.

Legal Legacy Land Conservancy: Executive director Susan Lackey and land protection coordinator Robin Burke.

Next regular WCPARC meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the parks and recreation commission administrative offices, 2230 Platt Road in Ann Arbor.

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Model of a conceptual “canopy” design for a proposed new recreation center in downtown Ypsilanti. It was one of two models displayed at a Sept. 27 open house to get feedback on the proposed project.

Robert Tetens, the county’s parks and rec director, gave the gathering an overview of the project. “We’re an organization run by data, and our surveys over the years have showed demand for a rec center in the east part of the county,” he said. “We went to the Ypsilanti city council last fall, and proposed that the city provide the land, we [the county] would build it, and the Y[MCA in Ann Arbor] would run it. The seven- or eight-month project has taken us to where we are now.”

The center would be located on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of downtown, next to the Huron River. The building likely would be 60,000-65,000 square feet – larger than the county’s 51,000-square-foot Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, and smaller than the 70,000-square-foot Ann Arbor YMCA. Construction costs are estimated at $200 per square foot, or about $12-14 million. [Construction is only part of overall project cost, which typically includes infrastructure, professional fees, and more. No estimate of total project cost was made at the Sept. 27 meeting.] Tetens said that construction could not start until after the county’s parks and recreation millage is renewed in November 2014.

Two millages totaling 0.472 mills support the county’s parks and recreation efforts: one for operations, and one for development. The operational millage, at 0.2353 mills, was renewed for 10 additional years in 2004. To ensure operational continuity, that millage is typically renewed two years in advance of its expiration date. The current operational millage expires in 2016, but will likely be on the ballot for renewal in 2014.

Previously, Tetens had said that the schedule for the proposed east county recreation center would include settling on a specific plan for the building by December 2012. At the Sept. 27 meeting, he said other steps would include collaboration between the Ypsilanti city council and the county parks department over the next 8-10 months, followed by a campaign for the county parks millage renewal in November 2014, which is needed to ensure adequate cash flow. Then, Tetens said, he hoped to have bids out and be ready to get approval from the county board of commissioners, sign a contract, and start construction “right after that.”

The planning group showed two possible ways of developing the entire Water Street site: a “river ribbon” street plan with a storefront-style, elevated rec center building; and a “grid” street plan with a canopy-style building. Before designing the specifics of the building, the planning group defined the project’s objectives and the pertinent qualities of the overall site. Running through the discussion, including audience participation at the end, was the desire for the publicly-funded rec center and the adjacent Border-to-Border trail to create enough use of the site to attract private investment in retail, residential, and commercial uses that would generate tax revenue for the city of Ypsilanti.

East County Rec Center: Goals, Overall Site

This project has been underway for several months, and has been discussed at previous meetings of the Washtenaw County parks and recreation commission. [See Chronicle coverage: "More Planning for Rec Center in Ypsilanti."] Information about the project is also posted on the county’s parks and recreation website.

At the Sept. 27 open house, UM professor Craig Borum described the goals of the project, which he said went beyond designing a building or just a park. The entire site and its surroundings have been considered, including the Huron River – which runs along the west and south sides of the site and can flood. Other factors are the impact of stormwater on the site, the landscape of surrounding streets, use of daylight, and the site’s brownfield conditions. His team, Borum said, thought about “what makes good cities and good streets. We may call it a rec center but we should think of it as a community center that could anchor and attract new development on the site.”

More specifically, Borum said the group’s three goals were:

• To develop sustainable, urban design parameters for a mixed-use redevelopment on the 38-acre, post-industrial, riverfront site.
• To develop strategies to integrate desirable block sizes, infrastructure placement, brownfield mitigation, green infrastructure, building typologies, public open space and floodplain protection.
• To develop design parameters that prioritize an environmentally and culturally responsible approach to the construction of a community recreation center.

Borum described the concepts underlying both proposed models. First, to underscore that the site “lives between the two worlds of the river and the city, and have the site live up to being between those two worlds.” Second, that the site will incorporate an important segment of the Border-to-Border trail that will run across Washtenaw County, and be part of that string of parks. And third, that the site “reflect the existing mix of city buildings and landscape, both Michigan Avenue specifically and Ypsilanti as a whole, and not be just a rec center.”

With this background, Borum became more specific about the site’s key qualities. He mentioned the urban character of that stretch of Michigan Avenue, which he said the design team wanted to “establish but not replicate” by building the rec center right up to the sidewalk on the north side of the site. Second, he emphasized the importance of River Street – a north-south boulevard on the east side of the project, which currently ends at Michigan Avenue but used to run almost to the Huron River. [A birds-eye map of Ypsilanti in 1869 shows this historical configuration.] Borum proposed extending River Street south to the river, to a potential Waterworks Park. Third, there will be a 100-foot easement for the trail along the river to accommodate possible flooding. Borum said, “We have to be sensitive about the flood zone and not just bulldoze through it.”

The site also exists, Borum said, between two different ways that cities in Michigan have organized their streets. Some use a grid design, which he called an “abstract system of spacing streets evenly in a one-mile grid” with streets running at right angles north-south and east-west. Another approach, used in cities on rivers, often reflects that “specific local condition with long skinny, narrow lots so all have access to the river, plus access to the public infrastructure along the street,” he said. Because the Water Street site lies between a river and an existing grid, the group developed two site plan concepts – one for a grid and one for a so-called “ribbon” layout.

Taking all this into account, Borum said, his group decided to place the rec center at the northwest corner of the site in both layouts, nearest downtown, to “capture the energy from downtown and to build demand for adjacent growth.” He added that the most valuable commercial properties are at street intersections that will lie to the east when the Water Street site is fully developed.

East County Rec Center: Conceptual Designs

The group also settled on the uses that the rec center would include: three basketball courts, a swimming center with a competition lane pool and a zero-depth access ramp warm pool; spaces for a variety of exercise equipment; specific rooms for yoga, pilates, and tae kwon do; rooms with more general purposes such as public meetings, events, or birthday parties; child care; and a running track that is a prominent feature in both plans. Borum said the group became fascinated with the track and used that to organize the design of both proposed interiors. The track is indeed visible from most parts of the interior of both designs.

Overhead view of a “storefront” design for the proposed east county recreation center in Ypsilanti. The Huron River is to the right. Michigan Avenue is on the north edge of the site – in this image, the road runs along the bottom.

The first site plan reflects the river lot or “ribbon” street system, with “meandering east-west streets, and north-south streets which go all the way to the river,” as Borum put it. Some streets have buildings with mixed uses, while some are only residential.

The rec center in this plan is a “storefront scheme” that Borum said “plugs into the storefronts along Michigan Avenue,” with a relatively narrow presence on the north end. The building stretches out along the river, and is “lifted up so flood waters can go underneath it,” he said. Bicycle parking and the Border-to-Border trail are both underneath the building in this plan. Borum said this “urban wall” plan ”reflects the scale and interest we see along Michigan Avenue,” and has “parking dispersed on the site to avoid a huge area of asphalt, to provide 150 spaces in smaller chunks.”

The parking spaces located farthest from the rec center serve other uses on site, such as people who want to picnic or walk on the trail. The front door in this plan is accessible from the parking, from the trail, or from Michigan Avenue, with all entries leading into a single vestibule. The swimming center and a climbing wall are on the first floor, with exercise rooms on the second floor overlooking a pool and the climbing wall. The third floor holds the running track and meeting rooms. Walls of glass look over the river and onto Michigan Avenue. It’s crucial, said Borum, to “always have windows so you are connected to the site around you.”

The second site plan extends the existing gridded street system, both east-west and north-south. In this scheme, the rec center is compressed into a smaller area and takes up less space on the ground. It places commercial uses along the streets to the north and east, shifting to residential along the river to the south. The rec center in this version is a “canopy plan.” According to Borum, it “gives the sense that the park comes all the way out to Michigan Avenue, and that the building is under the tree canopy.” In fact, he said, the glass exterior of this version could be “fritted” so that it appeared to be covered with trees. [“Fritted glass” is treated in a variety of possible ways to make it more opaque, or add patterns or add color.]

This design includes an outdoor play area behind the building. The canopy provides an overhang, which pedestrians walking along Michigan Avenue, or those using the Border-to-Border trail, would pass under. Like the “storefront” scheme, this building could be entered easily from the street, parking, or the trail. The programmatic uses for this plan are similar to the first: A ground floor with a swimming center and locker rooms, exercise and weightlifting spaces, along with child care; a second floor with basketball courts and other rooms; a third floor with more exercise and meeting rooms, and the running track. Glass walls would allow users to see the river, and the track runs overhead in the whole space.

Comments, Questions

A member of the audience expressed concern about whether the rec center would be affordable for everyone, saying, “It would be sad to see a little kid looking in from the outside and not able to get in.” Diane Carr, vice president of program & community development for the Ann Arbor Y, responded to the comment: ”We turn no one away. Although we don’t have a formal agreement yet, our practice has been that we charge a membership fee but have scholarships so that anyone with a need can get in.”

Amanda Edmonds, executive director of the nonprofit Growing Hope in Ypsilanti, added her perspective. “The Y has showed us they understand the different economic situation in Ypsi,” she said. “I am excited that they are partnering on this – they get that partnering in a true and authentic way. I trust what they say. Y is already in Ypsi: they have one week summer camps with 55-60 kids for 10 weeks, and also provide programming in schools and at the senior center with adult exercise.”

In response to a question about affordability for senior citizens, Bob Tetens cited the Meri Lou Murray recreation center rate for those over 80 – $50 a year.

An audience member asked, “How will you deal with the high crime rate in Ypsilanti?” Tetens’ response: “The more people you can get in a facility, the safer it is. We would work with the city to develop as much activity as possible. It is a concern wherever we go.” He went on to describe the contractual arrangement of parks & rec with the county sheriff to patrol the county’s 23 nature preserves as an example of ways to ensure safety.

Several public officials attended the Sept. 27 presentation, including parks and recreation commissioners Pat Scribner, Janice Anschuetz, and Roland Sizemore, Jr.; Ypsilanti Township supervisor Brenda Stumbo; and former Ypsilanti planning directors Karen Hart and Richard Murphy.

The project’s steering committee includes Borum, Tetens, parks & recreation commission president Robert Marans, county parks and rec deputy director Coy Vaughn, county parks and rec planner Meghan Bonfiglio, Ypsilanti planning director Teresa Gillotti, and Cathi Duchon, CEO of the Ann Arbor YMCA. In addition to Borum, other UM Taubman College faculty involved in the project are Jen Maigret and Maria Arquera de Alarcon.

Students working on the project are Catherine Baldwin, Leigh Davis, Kathryn Dreitzler, Chaerin Jin, Geoffrey Salvatore, and Catherine Truong. Designers Amy McNamara, Alex Timmer, and Kayla Lim of PLY Architecture also worked on the design.

Editor’s note: This report is based on the presentation given at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. There was a second presentation at 7 p.m. that day.

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