January 9, 2008

 

 

The Roscommon County Board of Commissioner’s met on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 for a regular meeting.  Chairman Mead called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M.

 

Roll Call:   Nellist, Mead, Schneider, Milburn, Souder.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Also Present:  Jeff Patrus, Roscommon County Herald News;  Herb Weatherly;  Glenn Schicker, H.L. Resorter;  Julie Peters, County Treasurer;  Lois Byrd, Roscommon County Economic Development;  Carrie Perialas, E-911;  John Bawol, E-911 Director;

 

            1.         Moved by Souder, seconded by Milburn to approve the agenda as

                        presented.  On roll call: Ayes:  Nellist, Schneider, Mead, Milburn,

                        Souder.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

 

            2.         Moved by Milburn, seconded by Souder to approve Board of

                        Commissioner’s  Minutes from December 5, 2007 and December

                        19, 2007.  On roll call:  Ayes:  Schneider, Mead, Nellist, Souder,

                        Milburn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

 

            3.         Moved by Nellist, seconded by Schneider to approve Class A Bills.

                        On roll call:  Ayes:  Milburn, Souder, Mead, Nellist, Schneider.  Nays:

                        None.  Motion carried.

 

            4.         Moved by Nellist, seconded by Schneider to approve Claims and

                        Accounts.  On roll call:  Ayes:  Souder, Milburn, Mead, Nellist,

                        Schneider.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

 

            5.         Moved by Milburn, seconded by Nellist to approve Treasurer’s Report

                        ending with December 31, 2007 as presented.  On roll call:  Ayes: 

                        Schneider, Souder, Mead, Nellist, Milburn.  Nays:  None.  Motion

                        carried. 

 

Review of Monthly Reports:  Airport,  Gypsy Moth, Sheriff, and Juvenile Detention

Center Year End Report.

 

Correspondence

 

            A.        Gerrish Township Clerk, Norma Boyle

                        Re:  No action on ORV issue

            B.         DNR, Kimberly Venne

                        Re:  Oil and Gas Lease Auction

            C.        NMHSA, John Stephenson, Director

                        Re:  Thank You.

            D.        Roscommon Road Commission

                        Re:  Formation of Asset Management Board.

 

            6.         Moved by Milburn, seconded by Nellist to approve Resolution in

                        regards to support for the Main Street America Theme Park as

                        presented and authorize Chairman, Larry D. Mead to sign. 

 

              RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF “MAINSTREET AMERICA”

THEME PARK PROJECT

 

                        WHEREAS, with two major north-south freeways (I-75 and U.S.

                        127) passing through Roscommon County, our County is the “gateway”

                        to the MainStreet America theme park project to be located just three

                        miles from the Roscommon-Crawford County border, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, Roscommon County’s major economic base is tourism,

                        and;

 

                        WHEREAS, the MainStreet America theme park is projected to

                        bring in  2,000 jobs, of which 700 are permanent, full-time positions.

                        This will be the catalyst for growth in our regional economy, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, with the present economy’s poor effect on the building

                        industry in Roscommon County, the construction of MainStreet

                        America theme park will provide immediate employment for this

                        segment of our work force, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, with families staying and more arriving to staff the

                        MainStreet America theme park, existing businesses will find the

                        need to expand and new businesses will seek locations in Roscommon

                        County.  The result is more jobs, and;

 

                        WHEREAS,  with jobs, families will halt their moving from northern

                        Michigan, which will benefit our two excellent public school districts,

                        Houghton Lake Community Schools and Gerrish-Higgins School

                        District whose declining enrollments have taken away jobs in our

                        education segment of the work force, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, with Kirtland Community College’s location in Roscommon

                        County, we have the facilities to retrain our workforce to meet the

                        needs of MainStreet America’s workforce, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, Roscommon County is 53% state owned land which

                        greatly limits our ability to attract industries to the area that could

                        provide jobs, and;

 

                        WHEREAS, in cooperation with our regional economic partners,

                        Roscommon County supports the Crawford County Economic

                        Development Partnership by working together to bring the MainStreet

                        America theme park to our region, and;

 

                        THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Roscommon County Board

                        of Commissioner’s supports the sale of 1,800 acres in Grayling Township,

                        Crawford County, Michigan from the State of Michigan Department of

                        Natural Resources to Axiom Entertainment.  This support is contingent

                        upon all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding and the Letter

                        of Intent being met including final financing for the entire project being

                        in place at the time of the land transactions, and;

 

                        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Roscommon County Board

                        of Commissioner’s through its Economic Development Coordinator

                        will continue to support this project by working closely with the

                        Crawford County Economic Development Partnership and Patrick R.

                        Crosson, DNR and Grayling Township to ensure that the MainStreet

                        theme park becomes an economic reality in our regional area.

 

                        On roll call:  Ayes:  Schneider, Milburn, Souder, Mead, Nellist.  Nays:

                        None.  Motion carried.

 

Public Comment – None.

 

                        7.         Moved by Milburn, seconded by Schneider to adjourn             

                                    meeting.  On roll call:  Ayes:  Nellist, Mead, Schneider,

                                    Milburn, Souder.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 A.M.

 

 

____________________________            ____________________________

Larry D. Mead, Chairman                                 Ann M. Bonk, County Clerk