The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm with Commissioner Dooley presiding.

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

Recreation Superintendent Pratt state the department is now fully staffed. He then introduced Recreation Supervisor Greg Morris.

Recreation Supervisor Morris stated he comes from Huron Valley Schools and worked there for over four years. He graduated from Central Michigan University. This is his fourth day and is excited to be starting and has already started programming.

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

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

A. Approval of the February 16, 2012 minutes.

It was moved by Commissioner Jewell and seconded by Commissioner Wingfield to approve the minutes as written.

Voice Vote Unanimous

A. Walkable Novi - Commissioners Policicchio & Torimoto

Commissioner Policicchio stated they discussed the regional trail connections.

This would connect the Novi trail through ITC and coming out on the north

side of Eight Mile Road and connecting with Maybury State Park. That is

progressing well. There was a letter of support approved to go out in support of the trails at Community Sports Park and the grant. They recapped the capital improvement plan and the items connected with the non-motorized plan. Another item discussed was a pedestrian and bike street crossing at Novi Road intersection. He showed the Non-motorized Master Plan implementation.

Commissioner Torimoto stated as an update, they are talking about two miles of sidewalks being implemented along with the plan, some engineering studies to try and further implement the plan and some bike routes developed. There is good progress on the plan.

Commissioner Staab stated they had an opportunity to see what has been

recommended by the Planning Commission for Capital Improvement projects going forward from a pathway stand point and a Parks and Recreation stand point. He believes that it is "spot on" to what they recommended initially.

Superintendent Pratt added that for the grant application they are going through McKenna and Associates. It has to be submitted by April 2^nd.

Commissioner Staab asked if doing the grants through McKenna and Associates is a budgeted item.

Superintendent Pratt confirmed that it is.

B. Novi Parks Foundation - Commissioners Staab and Tecklenburg

Commissioner Staab stated the Golf Outing is August 2^nd at the Links of Novi. Pricing remains as is. Early bird special goes through the middle of July. It is $100 per golfer and $400 a foursome. After that it goes to $125 a golfer and $500 a foursome. Save the date cards have gone out. We have new packaging for different levels of sponsorships. The second interview was conducted this evening for the Executive Director position by Board Members Blair and Capello. They are looking for a Treasurer to fill in on the Board in conjunction with Mike Thomas CPA firm to handle financials and financial reports. The next meeting will be either next Wednesday or Thursday.

Commissioner Dooley asked if anyone was interested in the Treasurer position how they would get in touch.

Commissioner Staab stated they could call him or Commissioner Tecklenburg or Novi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services office.

C. Park Naming Committee – Commissioners Wingfield and Tecklenburg

Commissioner Wingfield stated the meeting was lasts week. There were eight people in attendance. Seventy-five or seventy-six names were proposed or submitted to name the Landings Park. They narrowed the names down to four which will be going to City Council next Monday for their final approval. They have the final say on the name to be chosen. There were representatives from the Novi Historical Society, Commissioner Tecklenburg and himself as well as a fifth grade Novi student on the Committee. Even with the mix of people there was a consistent agreement on five or six names out of the seventy-five and it easily came down to two. The name will be announced next Monday. He enjoyed the process and he thanked everyone in the community who participated.

Commissioner Tecklenburg stated Commissioner Wingfield covered all of the highlights. Director Mangum facilitated the meeting and did an excellent job of narrowing them down from the seventy-six and getting to the point of a recommendation. He enjoyed the process and felt that they had a good cross section of people to look at the names and come up with a recommendation.

A. Administration Division-Superintendent of Recreation Pratt

1. Village Wood Lake Update

Superintendent Pratt stated there was an informational meeting on the proposed design of Village Wood Lake this past Monday. We listened to the residents on some concerns they had with some things that were proposed. It was a very good meeting and we are in the process of making it a nice area.

2. Capital Improvement Projects

Superintendent Pratt stated that he was going to address Capital Improvement Projects and Service Improvement Projects together.

3. Service Improvement Projects

Superintendent Pratt stated we have presented our recommendations to administration and are waiting for their approval. We have some nice things on our SIPs and CIPs. These include playground structures and some "fixing up" here and there.

4. 2012 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant Application

Superintendent Pratt stated he was going to defer this item to Matters for Commission Discussion and/or action.

Commissioner Tecklenburg asked if the proposal for Village Wood Lake was well received.

Superintendent Pratt stated it was and that some of the concerns were how we were going to keep cars from driving back there once it is beautified. We also told them that vacant land tends to be vandalized more than land that is improved. There was good discussion and it was positive.

B. Recreation Division – Superintendent of Recreation Scott Pratt

1. Lacrosse

Superintendent Pratt stated we have fifty participants with one 3^rd and 4^th grade team and one 5^th and 6^th grade team. Indoor practices started on March 5^th. This is the first time they will have gym space to increase practice time. We are growing the league and looking for collaborations with the lacrosse league. Three weekend games will be held at the Middle School stadium. The league is going in a positive direction and Matt Ostermeyer has been organizing this league.

2. Memorial Day Run

Superintendent Pratt stated we were approached by a citizen. He does other runs around the City and brings in a lot of runners. We are going to offer a 5K, a 10K, and a one mile fun run. He does have a website, but is unsure if it is up and active yet. The website is novimemorialdayrun.com. The website has all of the information. We will have the run before the parade this year.

Commissioner Staab asked if it was going to be a 5K.

Superintendent Pratt replied that there will be a 5K, 10K, a walk and a one mile family run.

Commission Staab asked if there were sponsors or if we are soliciting sponsors.

Superintendent Pratt stated we are offering our organizational support and the citizen it taking care of it all this year. Once the run grows, hopefully, it will go back to the Novi Parks Foundation and distributed through our Parks and Recreation programs. The more people that run the more it benefits us and our department.

3. Volleyball Tournament

Superintendent Pratt stated we had a successful volleyball season and we offered an end of the season volleyball tournament. The tournament was held on February 25^th. Many girls attended. Matt Ostermeyer and Theresa McClure put together a really nice tournament with medals.

4. Music Man Theatre production

Superintendent Pratt stated the production will be March 9^th at 7:30pm, March 10^th at 7:30pm, March 11^th at 2:00pm, March 16^th at 7:30pm, March 17^th at 7:30pm and March 18^th at 2:00pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children and seniors. There are still tickets available.

Commissioner Wingfield asked what kind of numbers there are for each team in lacrosse.

Superintendent Pratt stated that there were twenty-five players on each team.

Commissioner Wingfield stated when his daughter was in 5^th grade seven years ago, they had a tournament. It was amazing because a team that had been 10 and 0 won three games and went on to win the tournament. Every team stayed to watch them play.

Commissioner Torimoto stated in the last meeting minutes, facilities wise, it was stated that some of the soccer goals needed repair. He is going to be coaching. He also wanted to know how the fields are looking for the upcoming season.

Superintendent Pratt stated the fields are wet but the only problem they may see is that they do not know when we are going to be able to get on them with the machinery and dress them. We do not have the issues we would have had with the snow. We will be fixing the soccer goals and replacing the netting.

Commissioner Torimoto stated if help was needed with inspection of the fields he would be willing to help. He also stated that we tried some cross-town rivalry with Northville in basketball. He wondered how that worked out.

Superintendent Pratt stated he was not sure but he will talk to Matt Ostermeyer. He knows whatever was done this season was very successful and they add on more games after the season was over because no one wanted to stop playing. This is kudos for Matt Ostermeyer and Theresa McClure for running a successful league.

MATTERS FOR COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION:

A. Senior Transportation – Senior Services Manager Rachel Zagaroli

Senior Services Manager Zagaroli stated there are some things happening in Senior Transportation she thought the Commissioners would be interested in. Normally, our radius for going out is anywhere in the City of Novi and for medical visits there is a ten mile radius outside the City of Novi. Starting on April 6^th we are going to do a ten mile radius for all things. We have had many people call and want to go to stores or places that are just outside of our radius and right now we can’t do that. We are now going to open that up. We have had an unbelievable number of calls from people who are excited about it. That will help bring in more revenue and will also expand our ridership. The second thing they have done is apply for a grant from Providence Hospital. City Council has approved for purchase of a new Senior Transportation vehicle. If the grant goes through it could pay for an entire vehicle. We are coming up with a plan to put advertising on the side of the Senior Transportation vehicles. They are dealing with a company for advertising on the outside and the inside of the vehicle. Our vehicles are noticeable all over town. We could also advertise for our programs. The Senior Transportation Program is about a $155,000 program. We receive about $30,000 from fares and about $54,000 from SMART. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services picks up the remaining amount. Any way we can subsidize helps.

Commissioner Staab asked what they were doing for St. Patrick’s Day.

Senior Services Manager Zagaroli stated that they are having a big party and their decorations are already up.

B. MNRTF Grant Application Supporting Resolution Landings Phase 3

And

C. MNRTF Grant Application Supporting Resolution ITC Connector Trail

Superintendent Pratt stated we are not asking the Commission for supporting resolutions because that goes to City Council. But what we are asking for are letters of support from the Commissioners and anyone in the community willing to support us. We need the letters of support for both the Landings Phase 3 project and also for the ITC Connector Trail and trail head. These are two projects for which we are submitting grants. Letters of support from the Parks Commissioners weigh in the grant application. He stated that he could get with Evie Watt and send out the details of what is needed in the letters.

Commissioner Staab asked what the due date is for the letters.

Superintendent Pratt stated the application needs to be done by April 2^nd so the letters need to be submitted in the next two to three weeks.

Commissioner Policicchio asked where the letters should be submitted.

Superintendent Pratt stated they go to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services office.

Commissioner Staab asked if the Phase 3 piece is where the Novi Parks Foundation money came in.

Superintendent Pratt confirmed this.

Commissioner Staab he asked if it would be advantageous to have Park Foundation members to submit a letter also.

Superintendent Pratt confirmed this.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Commissioner Torimoto welcomed Greg Morris. He stated he coached girls’ basketball this past season at Home Court Advantage. He had a fun season and does if for the kids. He will also coach soccer. He stated if there is anything that he can do to help he is willing. He asked if the uniforms can be turned back in for others to use and also if equipment can be donated.

Superintendent Pratt said they are always glad to have the equipment but there may be size and number issues in trying to reuse uniforms.

Commissioner Wingfield thanked Rachel Zagaroli for coming and sharing information. He welcomed Greg Morris. He registered his softball team for this spring and next year may have to go to Rachel’s senior division. He asked if the registration for returning teams was strong this week.

Superintendent Pratt confirmed this.

Commissioner Tecklenburg welcomed Greg Morris and thanked Rachel Zagaroli for coming and telling about Senior Services and highlighting some of the outstanding services.

Student Representative Kodali thanked everyone for the information.

Commissioner Jewell welcomed Greg Morris and thanked Rachel Zagaroli for coming. It is always a pleasure hearing about the seniors. He thanked Scott Pratt for the job he is doing and for his enthusiasm.

Commissioner Staab welcomed Greg Morris. He reminded everyone of the Novi Parks Foundation Golf Outing on August 2^nd. It should be up on the website. He asked everyone to submit support letters for the two grant applications. The Music Man is one of his favorite musicals and urges everyone to get their tickets. He thanked Rachel Zagaroli and agrees with her that Senior Transportation is an acute need.

Commissioner Policicchio welcomed Greg Morris. There are many new faces but the approach is good. There are a lot of positive things happening. The things we are doing lend themselves to a positive attitude. This positive attitude will produce benefits to the City. He enjoys serving on the Commission with the teamwork and innovation that the staff implements in trying to make things better.

Commissioner Dooley stated he echoes everything the other Commissioners have said. He thanked Rachel and welcomed Greg Morris. He encourages anyone who comes in to the Civic Center to see what the Parks and Recreation department has to offer. He mentioned fliers on events like Arbor Day and Earth Day and Friends of the Rouge River. The department is always giving back to the community.

A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Tecklenburg and seconded by Commissioner Jewell .

The meeting was adjourned by Commissioner at 7:41pm.

DATE APPROVED: ___________________________________________________________

Jay Dooley, Chairperson

________________________________________

Paul Policicchio, Vice Chairperson