03-08-2017Blair Park Board
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2017
I. Call to order
Neil Jensen called to order the regular meeting of the Blair Park Board at 7:05 PM on March 8,
2017 at the Blair City Council Chamber.
II. Roll call
Neil Jensen conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Neil Jensen, Todd Wick,
Steve Tonn, Jeene Hobbs, Joe Burns
Troop 188 Scout leaders Brent Fullmer and Tony Wilson and two Troop 188 Boy Scouts
introduced. Scouts asked why the old Lions Park playground equipment was torn out.
Park Supervisor Pat Long and board members explained that the equipment was old, and
improvements were part of City Master Plan. Steve Tonn added, " This is what we are
trying to do to improve our Parks. Long said, " If you have any questions or suggestions
please come and voice your opinion. This gives us good feedback." Long talked about
over-all plan to improve or replaced all of park playground equipment to make ADA
compliant and for safety. Improve and update shelters and plant trees and suggested
potential service projects in the parks including Eagle Scout projects.
III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Neil Jensen read the minutes from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as corrected -
minor sentence correction.
IV. Old business
a) No bills submitted.
b) Ralph Steyer Park Playground is out for bid and back on March 27 and will be
scheduled for the April 11 City Council meeting for bid approval. Park Board needs
to form another subcommittee to go through the evaluation of bids. A subcommittee
meeting is proposed for Monday, April 3 at 7:00 PM, site TBD.
c) Update on other projects: Optimist Park paving of sidewalk and parking pad for
ADA access from the parking lot to fishing pier. Spring cleanup in parks. Spring tree
planting - 10 trees at the library and additional trees at Rhoades Park, Steyer Park,
and Vets field. Tree and stump removal to continue, and trimming trees throughout
the city parks.
Lions Bathroom. Architects are confident that documents will be ready in next few
weeks. Long needs information to implement grant papers for Papio Valley Natural
Resource grant.
Steve Tonn expressed interest in working with the Parks Board to pursue a grant for
playground improvements at Stemmerman Park.
Jeene Hobbs voiced concern about plans to take care of Black Elk Neihardt Park
repairs including the Tower. She asked if the Black Elk-Niehardt Board ( Friends of
Black Elk — Niehardt Park) is functional? Long said the (Friends) board is gearing
down. Joe Burns and Long commented that discussions are in progress to turn over
accounting and donations to the Blair Foundation. Engineering and feasibility studies
are needed to determine a permanent fix for the Tower deterioration. Hobbs said
"You need to find somebody that wants this to be done." Burns said that the whole
project is so overwhelming and intimidating that no one is willing to step up to the
plate. Long said it makes economical sense that they (Friends) move (accounting
functions) to the Blair Community Foundation because of expenses incurred in
maintaining their own account and website. Long said he would like to see what
Friends' ideas are for the future.
V. New business
a) Friends of Arboretum meeting scheduled for March 9 at Police Department
Community room.
b) Parks department is back up to three permanent employees. Blake Gutchow
has been hired to fill vacancy.
c) Arbor Day tree planting ceremony is scheduled to take place at the new library
on the last Friday in April 29.
d) Tonn asked if it is possible to list Parks along with cemetery in the phone
book.
e) Eagle Scout Butterfly garden project is planned for southwest corner of the
new library.
Public discussion
Troop 188 Scouts asked questions about the future of a new or renovated
swimming pool.
Adjournment
Neil Jensen adjourned the meeting at 8:15.
Minutes Submitted by Secretary Joe Burns