The Header Photo was taken in the Summer of 1941 at Camp Petosega on the eastern shore of Pickerel Lake during the fly casting tournament. The tournament was one of the annual features held by the camp which was directed by Jim Templin (Jim "Chief" Templin talks on a YouTube video).
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ CAMP PETOSEGA ~
~ PUBLICLY SPEAKING ~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The property for Camp Petosega that the Templin Family purchased, had been owned by George and May Smith who were farming the property according to the 1910 census records. The sandy soil was not conducive to farming, so by the 1920 census George and May had abandoned the Pickerel Lake homestead, to live in Resort Township. With the Great Depression, the Smiths were unable to repay a farm loan, so neighbor William Harris bought the property in 1932, selling to Templin two years later, for $1.00 and other considerations.
Jim Templin, of Lexington, Kentucky, built the boys' camp and ran it until 1954. Templin referred to it as the summer "Log Cabin Camp for Boys". The first session was held in June 1936. By 1956 new purchasers, and educators, Leonard Baruch and Bertrand Sandweiss had started a camp for Jewish children. The camp closed in 1974. The Emmet County Board of Commissioners purchased the Camp Petosega land in 1992. The county has refurbished the remaining cabins, and developed amenities. The map on the above web site is outdated with the Enbridge funded 2019 movement of campsites because campsites MUST be a required distance from gas lines.
Article Below: Bruce Templin was the son of Jim and Margaret Templin, proprietors for 20 years of Camp Petosega. Bruce was associated with Camp Petosega as a counselor for many years. In 1973 First Class Bruce Templin was an aviation Ordinanceman, with five Navy divers in wet-suits, who emerged from a 32 day stay in an underwater habitat under pressures found at a depth of 1600 feet.
Emmet County Purchase of Camp Petosega
1986 > 1987
1986 > 1987
The purchase of the Camp Petosega property would be a big step toward the county goal of having
a public park on every major body water in the county.
a public park on every major body water in the county.
Photo Labels Include:
ECBOC = Emmet County Board of Commissioners (Minutes~Legal Documents)
ECBOC = Emmet County Board of Commissioners (Minutes~Legal Documents)
Some cabins for rental were moved from Jones Landing on Walloon Lake to Camp Petosega in about 2009. At that time the Emmet County Board of Commissioners funded the removal of electrical poles and wires, to install underground wiring and hook-up for the buildings.
Article Below: A decision was made to spend up to $64,000.00
on 10 movable cabins from Towns and Country Cedar Homes.
1994
on 10 movable cabins from Towns and Country Cedar Homes.
1994
Camp Petosega SIGNS
The Emmet County Parks & Recreation Board meeting minutes for 2 February 2021 reported the following (below) regarding the replacement of the Camp Petosega sign in the above photo.
"Camp Petosega Entrance Sign:
Bauman [Emmet County Parks and Recreational Director] provided the Board members with a revised quote from the Wood Shop of $5,700. They were also provided with options from Glen McCune. Drier [Emmet County Commissioner] commented that McCune had a maintenance agreement for 7 years in his quote and asked if the Wood Shop would provide a maintenance agreement in their quote. Drier said it would make a difference if there was maintenance in the quote. Bauman will check again with the Wood Shop and get back to the Board. Randy McCune said that the sign that is currently out there is a vinyl sticker sign as opposed to a painted sign. In the quote provided by Glen McCune there could be a different picture on each side of the sign and it would come in at the same price."
McCune offered several sample options for Camp Pet-o-se-ga sign designs... below showing just one of the options.
Bauman [Emmet County Parks and Recreational Director] provided the Board members with a revised quote from the Wood Shop of $5,700. They were also provided with options from Glen McCune. Drier [Emmet County Commissioner] commented that McCune had a maintenance agreement for 7 years in his quote and asked if the Wood Shop would provide a maintenance agreement in their quote. Drier said it would make a difference if there was maintenance in the quote. Bauman will check again with the Wood Shop and get back to the Board. Randy McCune said that the sign that is currently out there is a vinyl sticker sign as opposed to a painted sign. In the quote provided by Glen McCune there could be a different picture on each side of the sign and it would come in at the same price."
McCune offered several sample options for Camp Pet-o-se-ga sign designs... below showing just one of the options.
Photo Below:
14 June 2021 ~ New Sign Choice (on the lower left of the sign the OLD Emmet County logo, needs updating)
14 June 2021 ~ New Sign Choice (on the lower left of the sign the OLD Emmet County logo, needs updating)
By September 2023, perhaps even before this photo below was taken, the county's new logo
is evident in the lower left corner of the Camp Pe-o-se-ga sign, and looks very nice.
is evident in the lower left corner of the Camp Pe-o-se-ga sign, and looks very nice.
Photo Below: Posted on this Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site only by permission from
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
Camp Petosega is located on Pickerel Lake.
The old landing strip is still visible on the far upper right in the area of the hangar building.
Jim Templin, original Petosega Camp Director was also a pilot and used the hangar.
Access additional information about the hangar and the air strip on this web site by clicking HERE.
The old landing strip is still visible on the far upper right in the area of the hangar building.
Jim Templin, original Petosega Camp Director was also a pilot and used the hangar.
Access additional information about the hangar and the air strip on this web site by clicking HERE.
Photo Below: The airplane hangar still exists. This OLD photo hangs on the wall of Camp Petosega's Office/Museum.
Camp Petosega Museum
10 November 2019
10 November 2019
Museum Photos Above:
The Camp Petosega Museum is being removed from this cabin as shown in photos above...
This cabin will be renovated into a rent revenue generating cabin from Emmet County.
The photos below show the museum quality items shown in photos above
AFTER being moved... from Cabin D and displayed in the office area.
The Camp Petosega Museum is being removed from this cabin as shown in photos above...
This cabin will be renovated into a rent revenue generating cabin from Emmet County.
The photos below show the museum quality items shown in photos above
AFTER being moved... from Cabin D and displayed in the office area.
In 2018-19 Trans Canada/Enbridge (at their cost) moved many Camp Petosega campsites
because the gas company's underground pipelines are located too closely to the campsites,
which legally, requires moving.
because the gas company's underground pipelines are located too closely to the campsites,
which legally, requires moving.
NEW Camp Petosega PLAYGROUND
Photos that had been presented in the last months of 2019 (shown below), of the new playground that was built with Trans Canada money, did not appear to be ADA compliant, and if so, is NOT legal, being a NEWLY built playground. Public comment at that time of that concern was ignored.
The photos below of the same above new playground were all taken 31 July 2020 of a completed NEW playground. View the routes in the photos as perhaps a young child in a wheelchair would; hoping to interact on the playground equipment. Of course in the 2020 point in time, it is understandable that the playground is not even open due to the COVID–19 pandemic per the sign posted in the below left photo.
Once the playground is opened again after the pandemic, it is hard to imagine a child rolling up on the crushed stone path toward a mulched wood base only to reach a playground surrounded with a wood log style edging for a wheelchair, or any child, to go off the edge, and NO ramps.
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Photo Above: From an asphalt walking trail, a crushed stone entry leads to a mulched wood base for the playground.
Photo Below: The alternate entry to the playground leads, not from asphalt,
but from a sandy/gravel mix onto a wood mulch bedding.
Wheelchair friendly? You decide.
Photo Below: The alternate entry to the playground leads, not from asphalt,
but from a sandy/gravel mix onto a wood mulch bedding.
Wheelchair friendly? You decide.
Photo Below: Closer perspective of the playground shows not a single ramp for a wheelchair to access any of the upper activity levels as defined in ADA Compliance Standards for public playgrounds. On the lower level, twisty-blocks are located under the slide area... SAME twisty-blocks activity can be accessed from the back side as well, but still remains as only ONE activity.
Two Photos Below: On the back side of the playground,
NO lower level activities for a wheelchair bound child, except one steering wheel at the back right corner.
That gives basically two low level ADA compliant activities for a wheelchair bound child on the entire structure.
"The ADA makes a distinction between ground and elevated components.
Because ground-level components are generally easier for children with physical disabilities to reach and use, approximately 25% of playground components must be ground components for the space to be ADA-compliant."
NO lower level activities for a wheelchair bound child, except one steering wheel at the back right corner.
That gives basically two low level ADA compliant activities for a wheelchair bound child on the entire structure.
"The ADA makes a distinction between ground and elevated components.
Because ground-level components are generally easier for children with physical disabilities to reach and use, approximately 25% of playground components must be ground components for the space to be ADA-compliant."
The brief summary of ADA Compliance Standards (below) for public playgrounds highlights the public overall disappointment regarding the design and engineering of this new Emmet County Camp Petosega Playground. Funding regarding the design and engineering of the playground should not have been a problem because the county had the opportunity to negotiate for a legal and acceptable ADA Compliant playground when negotiating a monetary total with Trans Canada which legally was requiring the movement of several campsites in Camp Petosega and was funding the playground. Emmet County accepted an upfront project funding total which was to include the playground... but, somehow, money was left over in the initial total project; money now being spent on restoring two of the log cabins, repairing the stone gateway to the camp, and repairing the roadway near the entrance to the beach area. Not complying with ADA guidelines is leaving the county vulnerable.
Federal law allows fines of up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations. States and local governments may allow additional fines and require businesses to meet a higher standard of accessibility than the ADA requires.
Do playgrounds need to be ADA compliant?
How Does ADA Apply to Public Play Areas? Outdoor play areas for children ages 2 or older should be given equal opportunity to play. Playground equipment and facilities constructed or altered on or after March 15, 2012, must comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not an accessibility guideline, it is a law. ... The term "accessible" means "in compliance with the accessibility guidelines." An accessible facility has no barriers.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Under this law, people with disabilities are entitled to all of the rights, privileges, advantages, and opportunities that others have when participating in civic activities.
Federal law allows fines of up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations. States and local governments may allow additional fines and require businesses to meet a higher standard of accessibility than the ADA requires.
Do playgrounds need to be ADA compliant?
How Does ADA Apply to Public Play Areas? Outdoor play areas for children ages 2 or older should be given equal opportunity to play. Playground equipment and facilities constructed or altered on or after March 15, 2012, must comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not an accessibility guideline, it is a law. ... The term "accessible" means "in compliance with the accessibility guidelines." An accessible facility has no barriers.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Under this law, people with disabilities are entitled to all of the rights, privileges, advantages, and opportunities that others have when participating in civic activities.
Making Playgrounds Accessible & Inclusive for All | Miracle Recreation
The accessibility guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require most new playgrounds to comply with the standards they set forth. They also require existing playgrounds undergoing alterations to comply. A few ADA compliance standards include:
The accessibility guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require most new playgrounds to comply with the standards they set forth. They also require existing playgrounds undergoing alterations to comply. A few ADA compliance standards include:
- An accessible playground must have available, unobstructed routes to the playground and connecting play equipment.
- The playground must include at least one of each type of ground-level play component on an accessible route.
- At least 50% of the playground’s elevated play components must be on an accessible route.
- Ramps must have handrails on both sides.
- Playgrounds must use specific safety surfacing that has met ADA criteria. Additionally, this surfacing should receive regular inspections and maintenance to ensure compliance.
No excuse exists for the lack of ramps, and an inviting NEW 2019 Emmet County Camp Petosega Playground
as shown above in the photos/text,
considering the county previously had experience in providing a totally ADA Compliant playground.
This existing 2015 Camp Petosega playground is closer to the Crooked Lake waters,
obviously is ADA compliant as noted below in the description from the Petosega web page.
"Emmet County has installed a new playground at Camp Petosega after receiving grant funding for the play center from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund
and the Local Revenue Sharing Board!
The new playground opened officially in summer 2015.
We are excited to share this new playground with the public!
As a reminder, Camp Petosega is open free to the public for day-use.
Also of note is that this play structure is handicapped-accessible,
so all kids are invited and welcomed to come out and have a blast."
as shown above in the photos/text,
considering the county previously had experience in providing a totally ADA Compliant playground.
This existing 2015 Camp Petosega playground is closer to the Crooked Lake waters,
obviously is ADA compliant as noted below in the description from the Petosega web page.
"Emmet County has installed a new playground at Camp Petosega after receiving grant funding for the play center from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund
and the Local Revenue Sharing Board!
The new playground opened officially in summer 2015.
We are excited to share this new playground with the public!
As a reminder, Camp Petosega is open free to the public for day-use.
Also of note is that this play structure is handicapped-accessible,
so all kids are invited and welcomed to come out and have a blast."
The Emmet County Parks & Recreation Board meeting minutes for 2 February 2021 reported the following (below) regarding "a pathway to the play area." It will be interesting to see what will be designed and proposed relative to ADA Standard and Guidelines IF leading directly to the actual playground from the asphalt pathway.
"Update on Camp Petosega Construction Projects:
Camp Petosega has two different projects. The first one is a pathway from the new camp sites to the play area which is designed to go through a mucky area and they are looking at a different design as an alternative. The second is the pedestrian bridge. They had to go back and do soil sampling and testing and found that the soil is not able to support the design which was provided. They are looking at a couple of alternative designs with one of them being a floating bridge. The project will need to be completed by 2022."
It sounds that this pathway to the play area is different from the pathway entering the playground as noted farther above on this same web page.
Another UPDATE on Parks & Rec from 10 May 2021 County Administrator Reave's Report: "The new boardwalk over the low area at the new campground loop at Camp Petosega was installed last week. The contractor will be finishing up the pathways on both sides of the boardwalk early next week, which will complete the project. This new boardwalk will provide a shortcut to new bathroom facility from the play scape to the bath house."
"Update on Camp Petosega Construction Projects:
Camp Petosega has two different projects. The first one is a pathway from the new camp sites to the play area which is designed to go through a mucky area and they are looking at a different design as an alternative. The second is the pedestrian bridge. They had to go back and do soil sampling and testing and found that the soil is not able to support the design which was provided. They are looking at a couple of alternative designs with one of them being a floating bridge. The project will need to be completed by 2022."
It sounds that this pathway to the play area is different from the pathway entering the playground as noted farther above on this same web page.
Another UPDATE on Parks & Rec from 10 May 2021 County Administrator Reave's Report: "The new boardwalk over the low area at the new campground loop at Camp Petosega was installed last week. The contractor will be finishing up the pathways on both sides of the boardwalk early next week, which will complete the project. This new boardwalk will provide a shortcut to new bathroom facility from the play scape to the bath house."
Emmet County Board of Commissioners' Director Mike Reave's administrator's report gave the following update related to Camp Petosega road access: "The construction of a new bridge project on Banwell Road by the Emmet County Road Commission commenced and has incurred a delay, due to the inability to deliver the bridge super structure as we previously scheduled."
2021
Hopes of Emmet County enhancing the playground to be ADA Compliant have been dashed...
Click PLAY in the upper left corner of the photo to view the slideshow.
Hopes of Emmet County enhancing the playground to be ADA Compliant have been dashed...
Click PLAY in the upper left corner of the photo to view the slideshow.
2021 Photo Below: Another playground area at Camp Petosega
seems to be a "bit more" handicap accessible, but not with much activity areas for the handicap child...
"This play structure has been designed for children 5 to 12 years old
and requires users to have sufficient strength and coordination.
Adult supervision is strongly recommended.
WARNING!"
seems to be a "bit more" handicap accessible, but not with much activity areas for the handicap child...
"This play structure has been designed for children 5 to 12 years old
and requires users to have sufficient strength and coordination.
Adult supervision is strongly recommended.
WARNING!"
Two Photos Below: Beginning in the Summer of 2018, TransCanada made arrangements with Emmet County to move campsites on the south end of Camp Petosega because those sites, legally, were too close to the natural gas pipelines. The company paid the county $1.6 million to move and rebuild the sites farther from the pipelines. The bathrooms and showers were a part of the TransCanada project as shown below.
Click HERE to access the 31 July 2020 Up North Live article/video titled
"Emmet County Celebrates Completion of Camp Petosega Campsite Relocation Project"
"Emmet County Celebrates Completion of Camp Petosega Campsite Relocation Project"
A report compiled by Taylor Worsham of Sault Ste Marie News in the 11 June 2021 Petoskey News Review described Emmet County's Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga: "Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga has 90 campsites with electricity and water, restrooms and showers, seven rental cabins, playground equipment, and open field game areas. The park also has a recreation hall/multi-use building which can accommodate family reunions, weddings, receptions, and meetings and an open-air pavilion where movies are played on Saturday nights through the summer season."
Three Additional Rental Cabins on the New Enbridge Loop
DNR Trust Fund Application in early 2023
DNR Trust Fund Application in early 2023
DNR Trust Fund Application for purchase of three additional rental cabins in the Petosega Campground.
The $200,000 grant requires a 25% match from the Parks & Recreation Department budget.
LATER UPDATE: The actual project total was for a quarter of a million dollars including the 25% match.
The 16 March 2023 ECBOC Resolution is for the "request for $200,000
for construction of camping cabins at Camp Petosega
and commits that the local match of $50,000 (25%) of the $250,000 project cost will be provided if the project is funded."
The $200,000 grant requires a 25% match from the Parks & Recreation Department budget.
LATER UPDATE: The actual project total was for a quarter of a million dollars including the 25% match.
The 16 March 2023 ECBOC Resolution is for the "request for $200,000
for construction of camping cabins at Camp Petosega
and commits that the local match of $50,000 (25%) of the $250,000 project cost will be provided if the project is funded."
Below: First, on 7 February 2023, a recommendation from the Park & Recreation Board was made
for the Emmet County Board of Commissioners to apply for the DNR Trust Fund before 1 April 2023.
for the Emmet County Board of Commissioners to apply for the DNR Trust Fund before 1 April 2023.
The only mention of a proposed recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Board to go to the ECBOC was noted on 16 February 2023 within the Administrator's Report (Below). No vote, or even consensus by the ECBOC transpired apply for the Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant as had been the recommendation. So NO discussion ever happened for the commissioners to know what the grant was about, nor any way for the public to be aware. The Director of the Parks & Recreation Department already had signed the Beckett&Raeder Proposal contract on 14 February 2023.
Who is forgetting/remembering that county boards, commissions, or committees may only make "recommendations" to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners? It is the responsibility for the ECBOC to actually vote regarding any recommendations. Then, and only then, can "the recommenders" move forward, or not... like the park director committing county taxpayers' money to a contract with Beckett&Raeder.
Who is forgetting/remembering that county boards, commissions, or committees may only make "recommendations" to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners? It is the responsibility for the ECBOC to actually vote regarding any recommendations. Then, and only then, can "the recommenders" move forward, or not... like the park director committing county taxpayers' money to a contract with Beckett&Raeder.
The concern is not that the county will be preparing three cabins for additional rental, but rather that in applying for this DNR Trust Fund Grant, the public is provided during a "Public Hearing" with "site development plans" and a "plan cost estimate" that are not complete. Then, when additional ADA requirements MUST be fulfilled, the cost will be higher than that put forth at the Public Hearing. With the county Parks & Recreation Board being approached about the cabin project on 7 February 2023, and the ECBOC not even being told about a recommendation until slipped into the above Administrator's Report... and even THEN, no public or commissioner discussion was held. The Administrator and the Park Director evidently just assumed that everyone would be in compliance, even though all of the ADA would not be in compliance.
Click HERE to access the DNR Trust Fund requirements; like for the following attachments for ALL Applications:
Public Hearing Overview on the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing Meeting in front of ECBOC...
SUMMARY from the Agenda:
"PUBLIC HEARING
The Parks and Recreation Board is recommending to the Board of Commissioners approval to apply for a Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant for $200,000. The Trust Fund grant requires a 25% financial match, total project cost is $250,000.
Over the last few years, Camp Petosega has seen an increased demand for smaller rustic style cabins, and this grant opportunity could allow us to add 3 additional rental cabins to the campground.
This grant opportunity would work towards achieving multiple goals and objectives listed on the 2023-2027 Parks Master Plan.
Staff is working with a professional design firm to obtain a concept plan and cost estimates. The Trust Fund Grant application is due April 1, 2023."
SUMMARY from the Agenda:
"PUBLIC HEARING
The Parks and Recreation Board is recommending to the Board of Commissioners approval to apply for a Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant for $200,000. The Trust Fund grant requires a 25% financial match, total project cost is $250,000.
Over the last few years, Camp Petosega has seen an increased demand for smaller rustic style cabins, and this grant opportunity could allow us to add 3 additional rental cabins to the campground.
This grant opportunity would work towards achieving multiple goals and objectives listed on the 2023-2027 Parks Master Plan.
Staff is working with a professional design firm to obtain a concept plan and cost estimates. The Trust Fund Grant application is due April 1, 2023."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Proposal [Below contract] from Beckett&Raeder is baffling in that the cost, and some of the entries, but not all, change drastically from the two sets of pages dated only one day apart. It needs to be made public just how much the county's Parks & Recreation Department will be paying Beckett&Raeder. Compare the two public contracts below. In the left column is the Beckett&Radder Proposal as posted in the 7 February 2023 Parks & Recreation meeting minutes... showing an unsigned contract for $9,250.00. In the right column is the Beckett&Radder Proposal as posted in the 6 March 2023 Emmet County Commissioners' Public Hearing; signed for $4500... with various changes on all three pages of the two different sets of pages.
COMPARISONS OF TWO SETS OF B&R PROPOSAL PAGES:
First pages are slightly different toward the bottom on each set of both proposals.
Second pages differ toward the very bottom of the pages.
Third pages are very different... even the Professional Service Fee. Does that mean the P&R Department is paying EACH amount, or only the signed amount? It is not clear.
(It APPEARS that the second Proposal is the same as the Proposal the ECBOC finally approved on 16 March 2023.)
First pages are slightly different toward the bottom on each set of both proposals.
Second pages differ toward the very bottom of the pages.
Third pages are very different... even the Professional Service Fee. Does that mean the P&R Department is paying EACH amount, or only the signed amount? It is not clear.
(It APPEARS that the second Proposal is the same as the Proposal the ECBOC finally approved on 16 March 2023.)
Included in the Public Hearing packet were the Beckett&Raeder Proposal and Beckett&Raeder's Estimate of "Probable Construction Cost", GIS and Cabin Plans, along with Conestoga Log Cabin information with plans.
B&R Plans Below: The two cabins to the right do not have ADA compliant access to the picnic tables nor the fire pits. The water line extends only to the cabin on the right. No mention of toilet facilities or ramps.
LATER LEARNED ALSO: Toilets are 1/10 mile away. So 2/10 mile to access toilets.
LATER LEARNED ALSO: Toilets are 1/10 mile away. So 2/10 mile to access toilets.
Below are the actual concerns expressed by Karla Buckmaster during the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing when the above Beckett&Raeder papers were presented:
"I understand the grant proposal is based on a possible estimate. A grant asking !/4 million dollars for three little cabins of 195 square feet. I know how little that is because my husband has an outside work shop that is less than 200 square feet because that did not require a county permit. You commissioners need to think that this estimate demands the 1/4 million grant dollars. My concern is: what about necessary items that are NOT included in Beckett & Rader’s attached estimate? By then, have you committed our taxpayers to building the three little cabins? BUT, you need more money to address those necessary previously overlooked items?
So some of my concerns regard ADA, the American Disability Act: The estimate has no mention of Ramps, or how high is the cabin from the ground? Foundations heights? Steps making ADA compliance inaccessible?
The drawn plan shows NO ADA access to picnic tables & fire pits in the two sites on the right. Already, an example of an incomplete project, the present nearby Enbridge playground is not accessible for wheelchairs because of mulch, rather than a smooth surface walkway. The number of activities on the playground is not compliant. Will the playground be made compliant with this cabin project since it is close by?
1. What about toilet accessibility, whether ADA or not? Inside the cabin or a distance away in the existing Enbridge toilet facility? No mention of toilets on the estimate.
2. Cabins are kits so who will do the actual construction?
3. What seasons will the cabins be used? Need Heat? Fans? Screen doors? listed as an optional feature so more money?
4. Is transportation of kits included in the estimate?
5. How many rooms per cabin?
6. What is the material? Actual wood, or compressed wood?
7. Where are spigots located? Will those be for drinking water?
Have you physically seen these cabins?
This is a 1/4 million dollars grant to fund erecting 3 cabins of 195 square feet, and because many features, some ADA requirements, are NOT mentioned in the estimate… I am afraid we taxpayers will get hit up for additional money before completion of the project."
Another public commenter asked if anyone had considered the ROI (return on investment) of this project... and, no one seemed to indicate that had been figured. This answer to this question is essential because the DNR Guideline (on page 21) states requirements for application inclusion:
"Development Application: For the proposed project provide the annual maintenance schedule (including invasive species control where relevant), maintenance costs, lifecycle cost, maintenance staffing, and provide the current maintenance budget. Provide any maintenance agreements with others which may be relevant to this project. Examples may include multi-year contracts, or a formal endowment which relates to continual and on-going care of the proposed improvements." No answer was provided for the ROI question, so the public has no idea any answer.
No one else spoke for the public, for instance, no one representing the ADA community even was in attendance. A day after, the two public comments, one comment having been about the lack of ADA compliance; and ADA not totally being included on the grant application, one commenter was told that... direct communication and asking for letters of support for the project would be sought from the ADA community to include with the grant proposal. Note, the ADA community would not necessarily be made aware of the lack of some areas of ADA compliance... just a grant application in general, not that many ADA necessities were not addressed.
Below are the requirements in the DNR Trust Fund Application Guidelines:
"I understand the grant proposal is based on a possible estimate. A grant asking !/4 million dollars for three little cabins of 195 square feet. I know how little that is because my husband has an outside work shop that is less than 200 square feet because that did not require a county permit. You commissioners need to think that this estimate demands the 1/4 million grant dollars. My concern is: what about necessary items that are NOT included in Beckett & Rader’s attached estimate? By then, have you committed our taxpayers to building the three little cabins? BUT, you need more money to address those necessary previously overlooked items?
So some of my concerns regard ADA, the American Disability Act: The estimate has no mention of Ramps, or how high is the cabin from the ground? Foundations heights? Steps making ADA compliance inaccessible?
The drawn plan shows NO ADA access to picnic tables & fire pits in the two sites on the right. Already, an example of an incomplete project, the present nearby Enbridge playground is not accessible for wheelchairs because of mulch, rather than a smooth surface walkway. The number of activities on the playground is not compliant. Will the playground be made compliant with this cabin project since it is close by?
1. What about toilet accessibility, whether ADA or not? Inside the cabin or a distance away in the existing Enbridge toilet facility? No mention of toilets on the estimate.
2. Cabins are kits so who will do the actual construction?
3. What seasons will the cabins be used? Need Heat? Fans? Screen doors? listed as an optional feature so more money?
4. Is transportation of kits included in the estimate?
5. How many rooms per cabin?
6. What is the material? Actual wood, or compressed wood?
7. Where are spigots located? Will those be for drinking water?
Have you physically seen these cabins?
This is a 1/4 million dollars grant to fund erecting 3 cabins of 195 square feet, and because many features, some ADA requirements, are NOT mentioned in the estimate… I am afraid we taxpayers will get hit up for additional money before completion of the project."
Another public commenter asked if anyone had considered the ROI (return on investment) of this project... and, no one seemed to indicate that had been figured. This answer to this question is essential because the DNR Guideline (on page 21) states requirements for application inclusion:
"Development Application: For the proposed project provide the annual maintenance schedule (including invasive species control where relevant), maintenance costs, lifecycle cost, maintenance staffing, and provide the current maintenance budget. Provide any maintenance agreements with others which may be relevant to this project. Examples may include multi-year contracts, or a formal endowment which relates to continual and on-going care of the proposed improvements." No answer was provided for the ROI question, so the public has no idea any answer.
No one else spoke for the public, for instance, no one representing the ADA community even was in attendance. A day after, the two public comments, one comment having been about the lack of ADA compliance; and ADA not totally being included on the grant application, one commenter was told that... direct communication and asking for letters of support for the project would be sought from the ADA community to include with the grant proposal. Note, the ADA community would not necessarily be made aware of the lack of some areas of ADA compliance... just a grant application in general, not that many ADA necessities were not addressed.
Below are the requirements in the DNR Trust Fund Application Guidelines:
Below are the certified minutes for the only Public Hearing (6 March 2023) to compare to what actually occurred as noted above.
FYI... Tammy Doernenburg is the county's Director of Planning and Zoning, and often is "put upon" to seek grants for the county. The county does not employ a certified "Grant Writer".
FYI... Tammy Doernenburg is the county's Director of Planning and Zoning, and often is "put upon" to seek grants for the county. The county does not employ a certified "Grant Writer".
Photo Below composed by a county resident: The Playground and the Bath House locations are designated with red lines on both maps. Mr. Bauman, the park director, told that toilet access would be 1/10 of a mile away from the three new cabins; and necessitate going across the bridge noted farther above on this web page that had be installed across a muck swamp OR the camper could follow the road-way to access the toilet which would be an even farther route for the existing toilet... remembering that a return trip would put toilet access at 2/10 of a mile hike. This a concern mentioned above in that new more accessible toilets are not even mentioned in the Proposed Estimate, so to be somewhat ADA when the project needs completion, the taxpayers will "get hit up" for additional money for this same project.
"MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING
Include a certified copy of the complete set of minutes from the meeting held to receive public comment about the project. The minutes must include all comments made by the public on the project. If the meeting included several topics, highlight the relevant section(s). If there was opposition to the project expressed at the meeting, the application should include a discussion of the steps that will be taken to address the concerns raised. Upload a copy of the meeting minutes. Please do not use links to minutes on websites. If there were separate meetings for the public hearing and when the highest governing body passed a resolution supporting the application, provide certified copies of both sets of meeting minutes. Both sets should show that the public had an opportunity to comment prior to a resolution being passed." ~ DNR Trust Fund Grant
It should be noted at the 16 March 2023 ECBOC meeting that the two scheduled public comments on the agenda, were for the regular ECBOC meeting. No public comment was allowed when the DNR Grant Proposal was up for commissions' discussion, only to be followed immediately by their motion which unanimously passed... One commissioner remembered to ask for the resolution to be read into the record. The resolution, however, was not a part of the certified minutes... rather the resolution only exists in the agenda packet.
Include a certified copy of the complete set of minutes from the meeting held to receive public comment about the project. The minutes must include all comments made by the public on the project. If the meeting included several topics, highlight the relevant section(s). If there was opposition to the project expressed at the meeting, the application should include a discussion of the steps that will be taken to address the concerns raised. Upload a copy of the meeting minutes. Please do not use links to minutes on websites. If there were separate meetings for the public hearing and when the highest governing body passed a resolution supporting the application, provide certified copies of both sets of meeting minutes. Both sets should show that the public had an opportunity to comment prior to a resolution being passed." ~ DNR Trust Fund Grant
It should be noted at the 16 March 2023 ECBOC meeting that the two scheduled public comments on the agenda, were for the regular ECBOC meeting. No public comment was allowed when the DNR Grant Proposal was up for commissions' discussion, only to be followed immediately by their motion which unanimously passed... One commissioner remembered to ask for the resolution to be read into the record. The resolution, however, was not a part of the certified minutes... rather the resolution only exists in the agenda packet.
Before the ECBOC meeting of Mar 16, 2023, at 2:29 PM, Karla J Buckmaster <[email protected]> wrote an e-mail to:
ECBOCs, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Keiser, and Clerk Suzi Kanine to please include totally this letter in the minutes of the ECBOC 16 March 2023 meeting minutes.
Mr. Boyer told me this afternoon that he did contact a lawyer, and a DNR Grant person, regarding my grant application concerns… I thank him for that. Below, however, are still my concerns that I hope you will give some attention, and at least be aware, if nothing else. The process needs to be realized in my opinion, if not for now… then, in the future.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Grants/FOD-Grants/IC1905-TF-App-Guidelines-2023.pdf?rev=c0bf7a0976ad4e1f94c2a7db8f7d3a8b&hash=D5BD5EB9137F6484189267E270B1DF15
OR
Click HERE
Below is from page 5 of the DNR Trust Grant Guide above. This is why I say that the county’s hired DNR Grant plan developer is ignorant or UNknowing of ADA requirements, and of county/local building ordinances, at least in what was prepared for the county to apply for this DNR Trust Grant:
ECBOCs, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Keiser, and Clerk Suzi Kanine to please include totally this letter in the minutes of the ECBOC 16 March 2023 meeting minutes.
Mr. Boyer told me this afternoon that he did contact a lawyer, and a DNR Grant person, regarding my grant application concerns… I thank him for that. Below, however, are still my concerns that I hope you will give some attention, and at least be aware, if nothing else. The process needs to be realized in my opinion, if not for now… then, in the future.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Grants/FOD-Grants/IC1905-TF-App-Guidelines-2023.pdf?rev=c0bf7a0976ad4e1f94c2a7db8f7d3a8b&hash=D5BD5EB9137F6484189267E270B1DF15
OR
Click HERE
Below is from page 5 of the DNR Trust Grant Guide above. This is why I say that the county’s hired DNR Grant plan developer is ignorant or UNknowing of ADA requirements, and of county/local building ordinances, at least in what was prepared for the county to apply for this DNR Trust Grant:
It seems to me that when the county contracted to have plans created for its grant proposal, it would EXPECT the facilities, and the associated area, to show ADA compliance. It is known that ADA requires a "MUST comply" not a "MAY comply” for governmental entities, and considering the public’s portion of matching funding for this DNR grant, all of those prices should be included in the plan cost estimate… extra costs should not be thrown at the taxpayer AFTER the award is accepted, and then any additional costs MUST be paid to make the project totally ADA compliant or for completion in any way to happen.
In fact, the following is from the same DNR Trust Grant Guide.
In fact, the following is from the same DNR Trust Grant Guide.
The Park Director told me that the present bathroom facility nearest the proposed Petosega cabins is 1/10 mile away… making a bathroom round trip 2/10 of a mile in distance across the bridge that goes over the muck area.
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ECBOCs need to be aware that the "cost plan estimate" has changed from what you saw at the public hearing… increasing in cost, of course. AND a different "plan page 2" is included in the agenda for the 16 March 2023… both pages added since the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing. Commissioners need to be aware of this NEW information.
Karla Buckmaster
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ECBOCs need to be aware that the "cost plan estimate" has changed from what you saw at the public hearing… increasing in cost, of course. AND a different "plan page 2" is included in the agenda for the 16 March 2023… both pages added since the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing. Commissioners need to be aware of this NEW information.
Karla Buckmaster
When my above letter was entered into the 17 March 2023 Emmet County Board of Commissioners' minutes, it was entered on three separate separate pages, with the DNR Trust Grant Guide clippings were each on two separate pages... making my letter very confusing. I have written to the Clerk to address this problem which so far has not happened (17 March 2023) ~ Karla Buckmaster
Below is the part of the ECBOC minutes regarding the Parks and Recreation DNR Trust Fund Grant Application, with the MOTION included. The match figure is not included in the motion... may not need to be addressed until a grant is awarded, and then by October?
Below is the part of the ECBOC minutes regarding the Parks and Recreation DNR Trust Fund Grant Application, with the MOTION included. The match figure is not included in the motion... may not need to be addressed until a grant is awarded, and then by October?
It was interesting to note right AFTER the 16 March 2023 ECBOC meeting, in talking then with one of the commissioners... He had no comprehension that the "site plan" AND the "cost estimate plan" for the DNA Trust Fund Application that he had just approved with his vote, had both been altered, with HIGHER costs, and updated ADA inclusion, although still lacking some ADA requirement inclusions since the last he had seen the papers during the PUBLIC HEARING. See the changes below which can be compared to the B&R papers above.
BELOW: FOUR Beckett&Raeder Sheets prepared to include with the DNR Trust Fund Application:
Sheet 1 of 3: from 1 March 2023 the GIS map was exactly the same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 2 of 3: from 1 March 2023 same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 2 of 3: from 9 March 2023 ALTERED from above sheet and ALTERED from the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 3 of 3: from 1 March 2023 same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 1 of 3: from 1 March 2023 the GIS map was exactly the same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 2 of 3: from 1 March 2023 same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 2 of 3: from 9 March 2023 ALTERED from above sheet and ALTERED from the PUBLIC HEARING.
Sheet 3 of 3: from 1 March 2023 same as at the PUBLIC HEARING.
Now, 16 March 2023, that it has been approved by the Emmet County Board of Commissioners to send in the DNR Trust Grant Application for constructing three cabins at Camp Petosega, it is essential that neither the ADA Community nor the taxpaying public will be short-changed if this project's award is approved, and completed, in the manner which it should. Any future consultant, or planner, for county grant applications MUST have an educated, working, knowledge of all laws and ordinances that govern the county, and serve to protect the welfare, health, and safety of its residents and visitors.
Photo Below:
Camp Petosega also includes a Canoe/Kayak Launch Site for public use...
Camp Petosega also includes a Canoe/Kayak Launch Site for public use...
Photo Above and Report Below: Emmet County's Administrator Mike Reaves reported the Canoe/Kayak Launch Site seen in the photo above will receive grant funding to help stabilize the area that is eroding away.