The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm with Commissioner Policicchio presiding.

ROLL CALL: Dooley (Absent-Excused), Jewell (Present), Policicchio (Present), Staab (Present), Tecklenburg (Present), Torimoto (Present), Wingfield (Present), Kerbrat (Present), Kodali (Present).

It was moved by Commissioner Staab and seconded by Commissioner Tecklenburg to approve the agenda as written.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

1. Approval of the August 11, 2011 minutes.

It was moved by Commissioner Jewell and seconded by Commissioner Tecklenburg.

Voice Vote Unanimous

A. Walkable Novi - Commissioners Policicchio & Torimoto

Commissioner Torimoto stated there was a good discussion today with the Planning Commission joining them. There was a different perspective in terms of a planning strategy. There were several key points. One is to work with other local communities to interlink the non-motorized plans and have more of a regional approach. There was discussion on having Maybury State Park being a destination as well as Downtown Northville for citizens of both Northville and Novi.

Both the Planning Commission and Walkable Novi Committee have a booth at "Fall for Novi".

At the end of the meeting there was a discussion on sidewalks missing from entire subdivisions and also on short missing segments due to lot history. There were a lot of data based objectives to fill in the gaps. There was also some discussion about ADA compliance.

B. Novi Parks Foundation - Commissioners Staab and Dooley

Commissioner Staab stated the Golf Outing held on August 4^th was a

successful event but the Foundation has not met since then. They are interviewing for an Executive Director in September. The final total on the Golf Outing will be determined and reported at a later date.

STAFF REPORTS:

A. Administration Division-Director Jason Mangum

Director Mangum stated last month’s meeting was very productive so this month’s meeting is mostly updates and current events.

1. Parks/Programs Update – Director Mangum

a. Cricket Cup

We hosted the first ever Cricket Cup in August. We had sixteen teams from all over mostly the Detroit Metro area participate in a tournament held over three weekends. We had one team from as far away as Lansing. This is something we have been looking at because of our diverse population. We had several groups come to us and ask for some cricket programming. It was very successful so we are looking at hosting a cricket league possibly next year as one of our program enhancements

b. Basketball 3 on 3 Tournament

There was a 3 on 3 Basketball tournament held at ITC Community Sports Park. It was a private rental, however the Parks Department supported it. It was called "Wylie’s Hoops for Hope". It was dedicated to a young man that went to Novi High School named Wylie Moss. It was put on by his friends and family to help raise money for drug awareness. They were able to raise over $6,000 for that cause and donated it to the Novi Youth Assistance Program.

c. Youth basketball

Because the Ringo Kai Japanese School will be hosted here in Novi for the next several years, it has impacted some of our gym space for basketball programming. Staff has been diligent in trying to find alternatives for space where we can run our program. We have secured a location and will have all of our basketball and volley ball programs this fall and winter at Home Court Advantage, which is a private basketball facility in Wixom on Beck and West Roads. We think it will provide an opportunity for parents who may have multiple children in the basketball program so they are not driving from school to school to attend games because all games will be held at this facility on Saturdays. It will also enable us to save on staffing cost because we will have the games at one location.

Commissioner Wingfield asked how many courts the new facility has and are we getting away from the elementary schools for practice and games.

Director Mangum replied that only the games will be played at the new facility and the practices will continue to be at the schools. The Japanese School took the entire facility where we played games. We could have moved to the elementary schools but we would have been at multiple schools with not much space for parents. Director Mangum was not sure how many courts there are in the new facility.

Commissioner Tecklenburg asked if this gives us potentially the opportunity to look at older kids for basketball.

Director Mangum stated that it is a great opportunity for us to have a trial run to see how it works. Next year, if we have the demand, we can definitely offer that if it is going to work.

Commissioner Staab asked where the facility is located.

Director Mangum stated that it is at the intersection of Beck and West Roads.

Commissioner Staab asked, if from a school standpoint, all of the facilities were exhausted on Saturdays.

Director Mangum stated everything at the fifth and sixth grade house is being used by the Japanese School.

Commissioner Staab asked if the field house at the High School or Middle School could be used.

Director Mangum stated we looked at some of those options and there are many school programs that take priority so it did not allow us to work it out. The school has always been gracious and accommodating but we just could not find a place that the school was not using during those times.

Commissioner Staab stated it will be nice to have the games all in one place.

Director Mangum stated we can also finish earlier in the day because we are able to play more games at once.

2. Current Events – Director Mangum

a. Senior Variety Series

Director Mangum state the Senior Show this year is "Vaudeville to Video". There are over forty seniors who are participating in this show ranging in age from early mid-fifties to mid-nineties. It is a very entertaining show. They sing, dance, act and have comedic sketches. The first performance was held today. Performances will be on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Thursdays and Fridays include a lunch, Sunday is without lunch. There is a flyer in the packet.

b. FireUp Fest

FireUp Fest takes place after a Novi home football game. It is open to Novi High School students and takes place at Power Park from 9:30pm to 11:45pm. One of the questions asked at the last meeting is whether it is available to Jr. High School student. It is designed for the High School students so we are asking just High School students attend. There is going to be food, give aways, a Battle of the Bands, a bonfire, and inflatables. This has been a very successful program in the past. An example of community support for events like this, last year we had $250 in sponsorship for this event and this year we currently have $3,000 in sponsorships. We have a teen committee who is working on this event.

c. Outdoor Week

"Take a Child Outside Week" is September 20^th through 26^th. Our first program is on the 20^th and is "Birds of Prey & Snakes" free event at Brookfarm Park. "Kites over Novi" is a kite making and flying event with a picnic dinner for $8. There is a nature walk where a senior can take their grandchildren. The anchor event of this week is our "Fall Family Fun and Campout". This will be at Lakeshore Park and will include activities, dinner, breakfast, making s’mores and campfires. This is a great way for people who are maybe not avid campers to get outside and spend the night outdoors. If you are not a camper at all you can still come out for the evening activities. On Monday the 26^th we have the "Preschool Picnic/ Play Day". Please encourage those you know to take a child outside.

d. Fall for Novi

Fall for Novi is on September 24^th which is a Saturday, from 11am to

2 pm, it is our community open house. It is a chance for all residents to come to the Civic Center and meet employees of the City and look at all of the things the City has to offer. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will have three different booths. One will highlight our recreation program with some competitions and prizes. There will be a cultural services and art booth as well as senior services booth.

e. Dedication of Baseline Marker

Director Mangum stated the dedication of the Baseline Marker is on September 20^th. The Baseline Marker is by David Barr, a local artist who lives in Novi. He has developed a concept to commemorate the Baseline Survey Project. In the early days of Michigan that baseline roughly follows Eight Mile Road. Communities that are along the baseline are choosing to commemorate it by installing a commemorative monument or obelisk. Novi’s is located at ITC Community Sports Park and was installed earlier this summer. There was an Eagle Scout project a week and a half ago to do some landscaping and brick pavers around that area. The public is invited to the dedication.

f. Japanese Business Society Softball Tournament

Director Mangum stated the Japanese Business Society Softball Tournament is another regional tournament that comes to the area on an annual basis. These tournaments are good because they highlight our community and also provide a positive economic impact. The dates of the tournament are September 11^th and September 18^th. There are 32 teams from the Japanese Business Society that play in this tournament. He believes that this is the fifth year for this tournament here in Novi.

g. Ethnic Taste & Tune Fest – Fuerst Park

Director Mangum stated the Ethnic Taste & Tune Fest is on September 17^th from 3pm to 7pm at Fuerst Park. It is a festival with ethnic food and music. It is an opportunity for people to come out and enjoy the park, good food and good music.

h. 10^th Anniversary – Meadowbrook Commons

Director Mangum stated that there will be an Open House to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Meadowbrook Commons on September 22^nd from noon to 2pm. Commissioners are invited to attend. It will include a few speakers as well as a lunch with hot dogs and popcorn and foods like that.

Commissioner Staab asked what the price would be for tickets for the Ethnic Taste & Tune Fest.

Director Mangum stated that the music is free and the price of the food depends on the vendor.

Commissioner Staab stated that he attended the Royal Oak Arts Beats and Eats. Instead of paying directly for the food you purchased tickets ahead of time and then pay for the food with tickets instead of cash. He also stated he would like to attend the Meadowbrook Commons Open House but because it is in the middle of the day it is difficult. He also stated Meadowbrook Commons was a great improvement for that corner and for that end of the City.

Director Mangum stated it is of great service as well with programs and services for the residents and for seniors.

Commissioner Wingfield stated he was asked by a citizen of Novi what the procedure would be to move in to Meadowbrook Commons and if there is a waiting list.

Director Mangum replied the easiest thing would be to go in and schedule a tour. The housing is managed by KMG Corporation and they are very good. We do have one hundred percent occupancy but there is not a large waiting list.

MATTERS FOR COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION: None

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Commissioner Jewell thanked Director Mangum for everything he has been doing.

Commissioner Wingfield commented there a lot of great activities in September and he will make an effort to attend.

Commissioner Torimoto stated he attended the movie "Tangled" at Fuerst Park and the department had a booth where the kids made a tiara. There was a wait line and the staff did a great job. He stated that the soccer season has started and the girl’s grade one had to consolidate. Theresa McClure and Matt Ostermeyer did a great job on that. He is looking forward to the season.

Commissioner Tecklenburg state he was not able to make the last meeting but he was able to walk through the Softball Tournament on a Friday afternoon in July and things looked great considering how much rain we had. He got some great feedback from the people. He congratulated Director Mangum on his accomplishments.

Commissioner Staab stated he appreciated all of Director Mangum’s efforts and the department’s efforts. He added the Novi Choralaires will soon kick off their season. They are under a new director.

Student Representative Kerbrat stated she is looking forward to FireUp Fest.

Student Representative Kodali stated he was part of the committee for FireUp Fest and he thinks it will be fun.

Commissioner Policicchio stated ESPN named the Girl’s Novi High School Soccer Team number one in the country. He would like to think that the Novi Parks and Recreation youth soccer program contributed to helping develop those players. Novi High School is getting a new Athletic Director and he suggests that we reach out to them and see how we can complement their sports program.

Director Mangum congratulated the Novi High School Women’s Soccer Team for that honor. He added without the dedicated coaches who give their time our program would not be possible.

A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Wingfield and seconded by Commissioner Staab.

The meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Policicchio at 7:38pm.

DATE APPROVED: ___________________________________________________________

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Jay Dooley, Chairperson

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Paul Policicchio, Vice Chairperson