Buildings, Lands & Infrastructure Comm. Minutes Page 1 of 6 February 28, 2017

Buildings, Lands & Infrastructure Committee Dawn LaVanway Bryan Smith, Chairman Scott Kruger

Minutes

February 28, 2017

Members: Bryan Smith, Scott Kruger, Dawn LaVanway Members absent: None Others: Pete Garwood, Janet Koch, Ed Boettcher, Dave Kopkau, Deiter Amos

1. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Bryan Smith.

2. Public Comment Jim Witte, resident of Elk Rapids, spoke in favor of the Traverse City to Charlevoix trail project. Dave Kopkau, Milton Township resident, spoke against the trail; he read a letter from Julia Pollister Amos that also spoke against the trail (see attached pg. 7). Mr. Kopkau cited numerous trespassing incidents, which interfered with farming operations. Mr. Kopkau requested that if the trail goes through, a 12’ privacy fence be constructed. Mr. Kopkau also read a letter from Lon Bargy, Milton Township Supervisor, requesting that the concerns from farmers be addressed. Mr. Kopkau did not provide the letter to the Committee; he said he would have a signed letter provided to the Board of Commissioners. Dieter Amos, Torch Lake Township, agreed with Mr. Kopkau. Another property owner in Milton Township also spoke against the trail, citing similar concerns as Mr. Kopkau and Mr. Amos. Patrick Boyd, resident of Antrim County and owner of Paddles & Pedals, spoke in favor of the trail, citing economic benefits. He said his business existed because of a trail and he anticipated a Traverse City to Charlevoix trail would also increase business on the west side of the county. Bill White, Elk Rapids Township, said any trail needed to stay away from agriculture land. He approved the concept of a trail, but said more legwork needed to be done. Patty Niepoth, Register of Deeds, asked the Committee to add signage to the downstairs restrooms, signage for the elevator or to paint the elevator a different color, and to add a meeting schedule.

3. Building Department Update Mark Haynes, Building Official, had included a written update in the agenda packets. He said January permits were up from the previous year. Mr. Haynes added that the EJ project in Warner Township seemed to be moving forward. He also added that a new truck was being purchased.

4. Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) Update Haley Breniser, Executive Director of GRNA, did not appear at the meeting but would be on the Finance Committee agenda.

5. Antrim Conservation District Update Soil Erosion Control Update Heidi Shaffer, Soil Erosion Control Officer, had included an update with the agenda packets. She said the project of replacing the tubes over the Jordan River had begun. Ms. Shaffer said the understanding had been that a replacement landing would in place before the tubes were taken out, but that had not been done. State Representative Tristan Cole was working to get a replacement

landing in place by June. Ms. Shaffer said a public meeting with the DNR was scheduled for March 6 from 4-7 pm at the East Jordan High School. Ms. LaVanway acknowledged Ms. Shaffer’s efforts regarding the construction of a temporary landing. Ms. Shaffer distributed a handout (see attached pgs. 8-15) regarding fines and violations regarding soil erosion and sedimentation control. She said she would like to have the ability to issue municipal civil infractions with a ticket book. Pete Garwood, County Administrator, said that the ability already existed as the Board of Commissioners had reapproved the Soil Erosion Sedimentation and Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance 2008; he advised Ms. Shaffer to detail her process for citing fines and violations on paper.

6. Forestry Update Mohrmann Natural Area definition It had been the direction of the Board of Commissioners at their February 9, 2017 meeting, that the topic of defining the Mohrmann Natural Area be discussed further at Committee. Commissioner Christian Marcus had been concerned that the designation of “Natural Area” could gradually change the use of the property. Mike Meriwether, County Forester, said he didn’t disagree with Mr. Marcus, and added that the Natural Area designation had been made at the request of former County Clerk Laura Sexton. Mr. Meriwether and Mr. Garwood indicated that there was nothing currently in writing beyond the existing deed restrictions that would restrict uses in the Mohrmann Natural Area. Mr. Marcus had also asked why it was necessary to define the Natural Area; Mr. Meriwether told the Committee that, while preparing to do a timber harvest, he had been updating the management plan and realized there had never been an official designation to the Natural Area’s boundaries. Mr. Boettcher said he didn’t like actions that restricted future decisions of the BOC; the Committee discussed a smaller designation for the Natural Area than had previously been proposed.

Motion by Dawn LaVanway, seconded by Scott Kruger, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve that the Mohrmann Natural Area be defined as parcel number 05-10-101-008-00 in Section 1 of Kearney Township. Motion carried – unanimous.

Mohrmann Acquisition Trust Fund Grant Resolution It was noted the appraisal for the acquisition property had not been completed. The Committee discussed the possibility of moving the application to the following year.

Motion by Scott Kruger, seconded by Bryan Smith, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the following resolution with the County’s obligation for the matching funds to be 25% of the appraised amount and the grant award request to be 75% of the appraisal amount, with the County’s motion amount not to exceed $50,000:

Antrim County Resolution No. _______ of 2017 Resolution of Support for an Application by Antrim County

to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Program to Acquire Property Located Within Echo Township, Antrim County

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WHEREAS, public lands are essential to meet the recreational needs of the community, and WHEREAS, lands remaining in their natural state preserve the character of our localities and protect water quality, and WHEREAS, Antrim County supports the submission of an application titled, “Mohrmann Acquisition” to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for acquisition of 80 acres adjacent to County-owned forest properties and the Mohrmann Natural Area; and, WHEREAS, the proposed application is supported by the Community’s 5-Year Approved Parks and Recreation Plan; and, WHEREAS, Antrim County has made a financial commitment to the project in the amount of $_________________matching funds, in cash and/or force account; and, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes submission of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Application for $_______________, and further resolves to make available its financial obligation amount of $_______________ (25 %) of a total $_______________ project cost, during the 2018 fiscal year. Yes votes – Bryan Smith, Scott Kruger No votes – Dawn LaVanway Motion carried.

Hawk Lake Timber Sale Mr. Meriwether said the project was moving forward. He said the timber sale had been a $78,000 lump sum bid. Glacial Hills Mr. Garwood confirmed that he had sent a letter to the Glacial Hills Recreation Board, noting that trail maintenance volunteers should contact Mr. Meriwether before cutting down all hazardous trees and tree limbs that are standing or suspended in some way. Mr. Meriwether said he had requested that Glacial Hills create a liability check-off sheet for their volunteers. Bryan Smith, a Board of Commissioners appointee to the Glacial Hills Recreation Board, said the organization was working toward the requirement of a chainsaw safety course for any volunteers using a chainsaw. Rich Hannon, a GRNA board member, said there was a range of skills among the GRNA volunteers running chainsaws and added that the goal for GRNA was to minimize the risks to volunteers.

7. Parks Update Eileen Wallick, Parks Manager, said the electrical pedestal project at Barnes Park was almost complete. She added that she was working with Stan Moore with MSU Extension to advertise for summer university interns for seasonal staffing. The previous year Barnes Park had been short-staffed.

8. Operator of Dams Update Mark Stone, Operator of Dams, said the Elk Rapids dam renovation project was on schedule. He noted that everything inside the dam would have to be removed. Mr. Stone said he’d been scheduled to speak at both the Elk Rapids Village and Elk Rapids Township meetings about the renovations and said both were very appreciative of the upgrades.

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Birch Lake Drain Mr. Stone said the Road Commission had done an outstanding job of the drain repairs. He noted that the Road Commission had the authority to maintain road culverts as there was only one county drain in Antrim County and no official drainage district. Mr. Stone and Mr. Garwood said most of the County’s drainage issues were civil issues.

9. Maintenance Update Dave Vitale, Maintenance Director, said the lock system at the 1905 Courthouse had been repaired. He added that a different type of door-opening system was being considered. Mr. Vitale also said the Commission on Aging gutter system was creating a situation of water build-up.

The Committee recessed at 10:42 a.m. The Committee returned from recess at 10:52 a.m.

10. Traverse City to Charlevoix Trail Mr. Boettcher told the Committee the preferred plan was not necessarily where the trail would eventually be located. He added that there was never any intention of a trail going onto private property; it would be located in the right-of-way. Mr. Boettcher said he had attended an initial planning meeting because it had been advertised in the newspaper and noted that a trail could be an economic driver for the County. Chris Kushman, a representative of TART (Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc.), said a consultant had worked with members of the community to create the preferred route. Twenty-five different routes had been discussed as possibilities, but the preferred route had returned to the US 31 corridor primarily due to the wide rights-of-way. Mr. Kushman indicated that there was an impression among some members of the community that the trail’s design was complete and final, when not even the preliminary designs had begun. He added that Acme and Elk Rapids Townships were working toward a preliminary design project in 2017. User fees for bicycles were discussed; Mr. Boettcher said that was out of the County’s control. Mr. Smith said he thought all property owners should have been contacted individually, and that an agreement should be in place between the property owners and the trail committee. Mr. Kushman said he and Mr. Lon Bargy were working to plan a meeting between members of the agriculture community and the trail planning committee. Mr. Boettcher said 100% agreement from the community on any topic was essentially impossible; what was needed was to figure out how to work together. Mr. Kushman said a trail plan 15 years ago had taken the trail to the east, but there were too many private land issues. He added that any solutions regarding separating orchards from the trail would become part of the trail design. He said he’d been updating John Pulcipher of Acme Township regarding trail planning efforts, but that Mr. Pulcipher was not a supporter of the trail. Ms. LaVanway asked about trail maintenance. Mr. Kushman said Elk Rapids Village and Acme Township had committed to performing trail maintenance, but that different arrangements could take place for various sections of trail. Mr. Smith asked about liability; Mr. Kushman said when a trail becomes public infrastructure, it’s protected under the State of Michigan’s recreation statute. Al Martel, Torch Lake Township Supervisor, said his township had passed a resolution in support of the trail in 2016, but indicated that the township would be revisiting the resolution at a future meeting. He said he didn’t think a trail could be safely constructed in Torch Lake Township along US 31.

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The Committee’s consensus was to approve the concept of a trail. Mr. Smith asked what would happen if the County didn’t approve the resolution; Janet Koch, Associate Planner, said without a resolution of support from the County, grant applications will be weaker. She added she needed some approval from the Board to continue her involvement with the trail committee, which was a methodology for the Board to maintain knowledge of the planning efforts. Mr. Amos noted a 75’ of 100’ buffer for agriculture on state roads and the difficulty of the presence of unwanted animals on agricultural land.

Motion by Scott Kruger, seconded by Dawn LaVanway, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the following; the general concept of the Traverse City to Charlevoix trail, the County staff’s continued involvement in planning the trail, and that trail proponents continue to discuss with the property owners their concerns regarding the trail, with the end goal being the resolution of those concerns.

Motion carried – unanimous.

11. Mancelona-Bellaire Trail Update Ms. Koch said a group had met the previous December to talk about the possibilities of a trail connecting Mancelona, Shanty Creek, and Bellaire. Both non-motorized and motorized trails had been discussed; joint use trails had also been mentioned. She told the Committee that Networks Northwest was assisting the community-driven group with trail planning efforts and that the next meeting was scheduled for April.

12. Natural Gas Bid Ms. LaVanway described her experience with an energy broker. She said the library’s natural gas prices varied from month-to-month; she added that her broker currently worked with Charlevoix County and had worked with Kalkaska County in the past. Motion by Scott Kruger, seconded by Dawn LaVanway, to recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize the County Administrator to obtain natural gas for the County with the best possible terms and authorize the Chair of the Board of Commissioners to sign any contracts necessary for the County’s natural gas needs. Motion carried – unanimous.

13. Various Matters Wetzel Lake Trail The Committee asked Ms. Koch about the progress of the Wetzel Lake Trail, which had been planned to connect Wetzel Lake to the existing North Country Trail on State land. Ms. Koch said the Conservation District had been working on the effort, but recent departures of staff from the Conservation District might have stalled progress on the trail. Mr. Kruger expressed interest in the trail; Mr. Smith recommended that he talk to Chuck Johnson, Supervisor of Mancelona Township. Jordan River Bridge Mr. Garwood distributed a copy of a letter from the DNR regarding a boating access site at the Jordan River (see attached pg. 16).

Antrim Conservation District (ACD) Contracts Mr. Garwood and Ms. Koch asked the Committee about direction regarding the ACD contracts. It was the Committee’s consensus to create one master contract instead of multiple contracts. Mr.

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Garwood said a separation clause would be included as the soil erosion and control services were required by state statute, while the other services provided by the ACD were not statutory. A two-year contract was suggested with a lump sum for a total appropriation from the County to ACD.

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Mr. Garwood said since no motion had been made at the previous Committee meeting regarding the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, that the Committee could make a motion during a future meeting.

14. Public Comment None.

The meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.

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STATE OF MICHIGAN

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

LANSING

RICK SNYDER GOVERNOR

KEITH CREAGH

Mr. Edgar Boettcher, Ill Antrim County Board of Commissioners P.O. Box 520 Bellaire, Michigan 49615

Dear Mr. Boettcher:

DIRECTOR ,

February 23, 2017

Thank you for your February 9, 2017 letter concerning plans for a new bridge over the Jordan River at Old State Road. The removal of the existing culverts and installation of the new bridge on Old State Road will have an impact on how the existing access will function at this location. The new bridge design includes guard rails which will make access to the river at the existing Department of Natural Resources (DNR) access site difficult.

We are currently working in partnership with the Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) and the Antrim County Road Commission to design an improved boating access site (BAS) to service this location. Currently the plans are in the preliminary stage. A public input meeting has been scheduled for March 6, 2017 In East Jordan; this input will be used to assist with the design development. The improved Chestonia Bridge BAS, using the Kokirs Creek Bridge, will be installed in April, and will be a big Improvement to what has been previously available at this location.

The DNR appreciates the Importance of this location as a launch and retrieval location for the guides, outfitters and other boaters to enjoy the river. We understand the desire to have it completed and available for the public to use as soon as possible. We are looking at a variety of options to expedite the construction of the improved BAS to minimize any interruption of access at this location.

If you have additional questions, please contact Mr. Richard Hill, District Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Division, at 989-732-3541 or hi11R5@michigan.gov; or you may contact him at DNRt P.O. Box 30446, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

cc: Senator Wayne Schmidt Representative Triston Cole

2/~ £F/q Dr. William E. Moritz Natural Resources Deputy 517-284-6367

Mr. Burt Thompson, Antrim County Road Commission Conservation Resource Alliance Mr. Keith Creagh, Director, DNR Mr. Ron Olson, DNR Mr. Richard Hill, DNR

CONSTITUTION HALL• 525 WEST ALLEGAN STREET• P.O. BOX 30028 • LA.NSING, MICHIGAN 4890fl.7628 www.mlchlgan.gov/dnr • (517) 284-MONR(6367)

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