APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
It was moved by Commissioner Staab and seconded by
Commissioner Torimoto to approve the agenda as written.
Voice Vote Unanimous
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Approval of the July 19, 2012 minutes.
It was moved by Commissioner Ferrell and
seconded by Commissioner Staab to approve the minutes as written.
Voice Vote Unanimous
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Walkable Novi - Commissioners
Policicchio & Torimoto
Commissioner
Torimoto stated the meeting covered two topics. The first was the
staff report which was based on the nonmotorized plan and the
progress in the construction whether it was MDOT or some of the
other pathway development. The second item was the implementation of
some trails through subdivisions according to the Master Plan,
specifically on the northeast corner of Beck and Ten Mile. There is
a pathway both on the north and south side of Ten Mile which will
start on the west side of Beck and lead toward the Library going
east parallel to Ten Mile. There was representation today from
Yorkshire Place and Simmons Orchard, which are two subdivisions on
the northeast corner of Ten Mile and Beck, which came with petitions
against the designation of that pathway through their subdivision
toward the Library. Construction was about to start to install some
signs along the pathway and they were surprised that it had gotten
to that level. The points were brought up by the citizens that there
is a private property between the two subdivisions with an easement
that allows the City to use it as a public connection between the
two subdivisions. There will be increased traffic. That pathway is
tricky in terms of the width and the layout itself. There are a
couple of sharp turns through pine trees and the pathway is not in
the best condition. There are some voices against implementing a
path through that subdivision and that portion of the Master Plan.
The discussion needs to continue.
Commissioner
Staab stated that the path between Yorkshire Place and Simmons
Orchard was originally designated for pedestrian or foot traffic but
is now being used by bicycles, motorcycles and other types of
vehicles. It is also being use as a "hang out" place so he can see
why the citizens are concerned. He feels it should be restricted to
pedestrian use and study alternatives.
B. Novi Parks Foundation - Commissioners Staab and Tecklenburg
1. Golf Outing
Commissioner Staab stated the Golf Outing
was held on August 2nd at the Links of Novi. There was a
Foundation Meeting this past Tuesday and it was agreed that this
Outing was the best staged and best managed of all of the Outings.
This year there were fewer golfers. There were only eighteen
foursomes which are seventy-two golfers. In the past there has been
over one hundred golfers. They were satisfied because for a one day
event they raised between ten and eleven thousand dollars. The final
numbers are not in. Keeping it at the Links of Novi is their intent
for the future. They are looking at either August 1st or
August 8th for the 2013 Outing. He commended Foundation
Board Member Kathryn Cardenas for heading the project and also
thanked Executive Director, Erika Pratt.
Commissioner Torimoto asked if the lower
number of golfers impacted the Foundation in terms of operation.
Commissioner Staab replied that they would
always like to have more to do more but they are doing alright and
will still be able to fund their scholarship obligations. They are
looking at other alternatives to fund other, larger projects.
2. Tom Holzer Field Renewal
Commissioner Staab stated we have
acceptance from Tom Holzer. In the last two weeks we received the
draft we can present to them for their signage at Power Park. We are
looking forward to presenting it to them in the next week. Once that
is done we will present it to City Council for final approval. We
should have our first check by October 1st. It is a three
year agreement.
STAFF REPORTS:
A. Administration Division-Director Jason Mangum
1. Update Projects
a. Pavilion Shore Park
Director Mangum stated we went out to
bid for Pavilion Shore Park located at the corner of Thirteen
Mile and Old Novi Road. The bid opening is scheduled for August
29th. Once we have selected a contractor we will be
able to go through the permitting process. Hopefully we will be
moving dirt on this project in the next month or so. Depending
on the winter, this will continue in to the next construction
season finishing in early summer of next year.
b. Older Adult office relocation
Director Mangum stated the Older Adult
office has been located at the Senior Center at Meadowbrook
Commons. Rachel Zagaroli is finally here at the Civic Center.
She and Sandy Fisher, who does our Social Services, are here.
The rest of the staff moves here tomorrow. It will provide a
great service for the Older Adults in Novi since this is the hub
of the City. The Senior Center is not going away and will be
home for many of the activities and programs for older adults.
We will be increasing the number of activities and services that
are offered here at the Civic Center.
B. Recreation Division – Superintendent of
Recreation Scott Pratt
1. Recreation Supervisor Shauna Lewellen - Sports
Superintendent Pratt stated Matt
Ostermeyer has left and is attending school and teaching. Shauna
Lewellen is our new Recreation Supervisor and will be starting this
Monday, August 20th. She is currently moving her family
to Novi.
2. Engage! – September-December edition
Superintendent Pratt stated the Engage!
have been delivered to the homes in Novi.
3. ASA National Tournament
Superintendent Pratt stated the ASA
National Tournament was held here the first week in August.
Thirty-eight teams participated and came from places like Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and St. Louis. There was nothing but praise
for the City, businesses and the tournament director, Matt
Ostermeyer. ASA came and had nothing but positive feedback. It was
great to be a part of and great to host. We have a bid for next year
as well.
4. The Bright Lights of Broadway – Novi
Civic Center Show
Superintendent Pratt stated the show with
the luncheon is September 6th, 7th, 13th
and 14th. The matinee is September 9th and 16th
at 2pm. Our Older Adults are putting on this show.
5. Links Parent-Child Open and Outdoor
Movie
Superintendent Pratt stated we are having
a parent-child open at the Links of Novi and will also host a movie.
We will put up the movie screen on the golf course so after you are
finished golfing you can see a movie. If you do not want to golf you
can see the movie. It is a free movie night and the movie is "Over
the Hedge".
6. Girls on the Run
Superintendent Pratt stated we have run
this program before but this time we are offering it through all of
the elementary schools and Novi Meadows. We are marketing it now and
are looking for coaches.
Commissioner Torimoto stated there was an
event called "Park It". He asked if it was where other Parks and
Recreations were invited to the City.
Superintendent Pratt stated "Park It" is a
group that has a movie screen connected to their truck. It is an
organization we work with to bring movies. They have a high
definition feature they run. They partner with different cities.
They find out what kind of activities we have going in the park and
will enhance that activity by bringing in a bounce house or movie.
Director Mangum stated we had "Toppermost"
already scheduled for our Sizzling Summer Arts Series and they
partnered with us to bring out some enhancements that evening. It is
a great benefit and is always welcome.
MATTERS FOR COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION:
A. Discussion and Possible action on recommendation of approval of Older
Adult
Goals and Strategies 2012-2015 Strategic Plan – Rachel Zagaroli
Older Adult Services Manager
Zagaroli stated they have completed their first Strategic Plan for three
years and are very proud that all of the priorities and goals involved
were met. Now is the time to do another Strategic Plan for the next
three years. They have chosen six priorities for Older Adults to work on
in the next three years. The first is engaging the broad population.
That goal is to ensure the "Boomers" and Older Adults have activities,
programs and opportunities specific to their needs and wants. What we
need to do now is come up with a strategy. What she would like the
Commission to do is think about ways they feel will benefit this. The
second goal is to create a sense of community through volunteer
opportunities. That goal is to incorporate the city-wide volunteer
program and identify the opportunities utilizing the Older Adults’ skill
sets. We have started a new volunteer program here in Novi. It is called
Volunteer Novi. Our Older Adults have a vast wealth of knowledge and
their work skills are very good. Communication is another of our goals.
We want to increase program awareness using a variety of methods along
with current technology. Our technology increases every day and our
Older Adults are getting onboard with that. The fourth is promoting and
providing Social Services. That is only going to continue to grow. We do
a very good job with our Social Services but we need to do even better
in the future because we will be having so many Older Adults that we
need to prepare for that. Right now we have a fantastic Loan Closet and
Medicare Medicaid food commodities program. We have people coming in
everyday needing help with one matter or another. Social Service is one
of the number one things we need to make sure we do an excellent job
with. Number five is transportation. We are so fortunate to have such a
great transportation program here in Novi. Currently we have a fleet of
seven vehicles and nine drivers. We just recently extended the radius to
take people and that is going well. We need to look at different ways we
can enhance that. All of our vehicles need to be safe and secure, our
drivers need to be trained properly and people need to be able to get to
the places they need to go. We want them to be able to continue to live
a healthy, active lifestyle. Number six is recreation. The goal is to
offer more activities with Older Adult capabilities.
We have to make sure we have
things to do for all ages and all types of physical activities. We have
been doing adult softball which went over extremely well. We have
hiking, nature trails, canoeing and these types of things we want to
make sure we have for Older Adults.
This draft is the start of our
road map and it will grow and be a fabulous plan to work from. She
invited the Commissioners to call or e-mail her any suggestions and
ideas they may have.
Commissioner Policicchio asked if
we were looking for approval of the goals.
Director Mangum stated that is
correct. Once the strategies are developed we will come back and get an
approval of what the specific strategies are.
Commissioner Torimoto asked if
these were all new strategies for this three year cycle.
Manager Zagaroli stated that they
piggyback on the other. It is just growing the programs more and doing
more. As our "Boomers" are coming up we are getting more Older Adults
and we have to make sure that we plan accordingly. Even though some of
these are from before it is a different aspect.
Director Mangum stated each one of
the goals have several strategies or performance measures. Each goal has
several things related to them. We have met several times with members
of the community and people who are working with older adults on a
regular basis and have had a couple of focus sessions and facilitated
brainstorming. These are the major areas and we will put the specific
performance measures or what we are actually going to do to accomplish
our goals.
Manager Zagaroli stated for the
last Strategic Plan there were twenty-seven goals to accomplish in three
years. We are proud to say we were able to accomplish those.
Commissioner Policicchio asked if
there are statistics on the age demographics in Novi of where the
population is now and where it is projected to be.
Manager Zagaroli stated that there
is. The Enhance is mailed out to citizens fifty-five and older. We mail
out about eleven thousand copies.
Director Mangum stated six
thousand are to those between the ages of fifty-five and sixty-five.
About three thousand are mailed to those between sixty-five and
seventy-five and about three thousand to those seventy-five and older.
The fifty-five to sixty-five are the largest age demographic for the
Older Adult population and is growing. It will be interesting to see as
the "Boomers" get older how the needs are going to change. We do a three
year plan because the needs can change rapidly.
Manager Zagaroli stated the needs
have changed from the last Strategic Plan.
Commissioner Staab stated that as
far as volunteer opportunities, he is sure that we are publishing what
is available, but he needs to be more keenly aware so he can review it.
As we look at technology, many older adults, especially those
seventy-five and older, don’t want anything to do with it because they
are afraid of it. Orientation for that group would be very helpful.
Manager Zagaroli stated that has
changed dramatically because we have classes now that we call Tech
Talks. We offer things like e-mail, how to use your phone or I pod. They
are simple classes that show them that they can do these things
themselves.
Commissioner Staab stated that we
are fortunate to have the number of vehicles we have. He is concerned
about having enough vehicles as people continue to age and to use that
service.
Manager Zagaroli stated the
transportation program is expensive and we constantly have to trade out
our vehicles because we get so many miles on them and they have to be
safe. They are used every day. Last year we gave about ten thousand
one-way rides which show that people want to be out and active. We have
to make sure we have people who will invest in the program so we have
partners and sponsors and advertising programs to help defray the cost.
Commissioner Staab applauded the
extension of the radius for rides.
A motion was made by Commissioner
Staab to approve the goals for the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan as presented
and was seconded by Commissioner Ferrell.
Voice Vote Unanimous
B. Discussion and possible approval of Park, Recreation & Cultural Services
2013
Meeting Schedule – Jason Mangum
Director Mangum stated one of the
annual things we get to do is to put together the meeting schedule for
2013 as we prepare the calendar that goes out to citizens. We are
planning on following the same schedule we have in the past which is the
third Thursday of every month here at the Civic Center. This is an
opportunity to make it official.
Commissioner Ferrell made a motion
to approve the 2013 Novi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Commission Meetings as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Torimoto.
Voice Vote Unanimous
C. Discussion and possible action
to support Villa Barr – Jason Mangum
Director Mangum stated this has
been something discussed in the past and he wanted to let the Commission
know what has happened. David Barr is an artist who lives in our
community. We are working with him to try and purchase his home and
acreage to create an area where people can come for cultural learning,
art and a sculpture park. He displayed pictures of the property to the
Commission. This is going to City Council next week and is a City
Council decision of whether this is in the best interest for the City.
If this is something the Commission could support he would like a motion
to support the purchase of this property. This will go to the next City
Council on August 27th.
Commissioner Policicchio brought
attention to the proposed resolution in their packet.
Commissioner Torimoto asked if
anyone has looked in to the man hours it would take to maintain the
property.
Director Mangum stated that has
been considered and is in the proposal to City Council.
Commissioner Staab asked where the
funding would come from to purchase the property.
Director Mangum stated it would
come from the City.
Commissioner Staab asked if there
would be grants available.
Director Mangum replied that there
would be grants available but that is up to the City.
Commissioner Policicchio stated
there are not many communities that would have this opportunity to
enhance their community culturally. There is support for the arts as
demonstrated by the millage. To determine whether there is enough money
is beyond our job description. He believes the idea is seizing the
opportunity, especially since it is a local artist, who is unique. He
believes it merits consideration by City Council.
A motion was made by Commissioner
Torimoto to support the resolution to purchase the Barr property. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Ferrell.
Commissioner Staab stated he will
support it deferring to City Council on the funding.
Voice Vote Unanimous
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Ferrell reminded everyone about
the State Fair that is coming up Labor Day weekend. People are excited that
it is going to be in Novi at the Suburban Showplace.
She also reminded everyone about the Farmer’s Market every Saturday. There
is great produce and it is a good way to support our local farmers.
Commissioner Torimoto stated the fall sports
are starting. He attended the coaches’ meeting. He is volunteering to coach
again for soccer. It is impressive that High School students are getting
involved with Honors Hours.
Commissioner Staab stated there was a lot of
good information at the meeting this evening. He applauds the Older Adults
department on their move to the Civic Center. There are many interesting
activities coming up in September. September 22nd is Fall for
Novi. He stated he had attended the Farmers’ Market a couple of times
recently and was happy with the presentation and the participation.
Commissioner Policicchio thanked Jay Dooley
for all of his service on the Commission. He has done a lot for the
Commission over the years and provided leadership. He wished him well and
hopes he stays involved with our activities.
Tonight’s meeting shows the things that we do on a
regular basis from year to year are done well and continue to be done well.
It is reflective of the success of the department by anticipating the future
needs of the City and planning now so we do things on an orderly basis and
they turn out well. He thinks the actions the Commission took this evening
indicate the Commission is fully supportive of what is going on and
encouraging department leadership and staff.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Staab
and seconded by Commissioner Ferrell.
Voice Vote Unanimous
The meeting was adjourned by Commissioner
Policicchio at 7:46pm.
DATE APPROVED:
___________________________________________________________