06-14-2017Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2017
The Blair Park Board met on June 14, 2017 with the following members present Neil Jensen, Roger
Petersen, Todd Wick, Jeene Hobbs, Steve Tonn and Pat Long, Parks Superintendent. Roger Petersen
moved the April 12, 2017 minutes be approved as mailed. Todd Wick seconded the motion. Motion
carried. No bills were presented.
Old Business
Pat Long reported the Arbor Day Planting at the Blair Library went well. The weather prevented the
actual planting of a tree but a nice program was held indoors. A correction needs to be made on one of
the tree plaques.
Work will begin on tearing out the old playground at Steyer Park. The new playground should be
installed in late June or early July. The Daubenspeck memorial playground at'the Blair Youth Sports
Complex should also be installed in late June or early July.
New Business
The Board was presented with a request from the Girl Scouts to allow the construction of book drop
boxs at Steyer and Lions Parks. Jeene Hobbs presented some information from the City of Lincoln on
their policy for these type of structures. It is preferred they be built on private property. Jeene also
shared some information from the Quad Cities, Iowa area. The Board had concerns about upkeep,
books being damaged or scattered in the parks, liability, etc. The Blair Library has declined to be
involved with the project. Jeene Hobbs moved that the Park Board deny the request by the Girl Scouts
to erect book drop boxes in Steyer and Lions Parks. Todd Wick seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-
0. Jeene Hobbs moved that the Park Board recommend to the City Council that a policy disallowing
book drops and similar structures on public property be established and regulations for the construction
of such structures on private property be adopted. Roger Petersen seconded the motion. Motion
carried 4-0. Jeene Hobbs suggested Park Board members contact their City Council representatives.
Pat Long reported that the Friends of the Arboretum have cataloged the trees in Stemmermann Park.
There are 55 trees in Stemmermann Park, 39 trees in Lions Park and 56 trees in Rhoades Park. Next
month they will work on cataloging trees in Ridgeview Park. Summer park projects include constructing
sidewalks at Optimist Park and the playgrounds at Steyer and the Sports Complex.
Roger Petersen moved the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Todd Wick. Motion
carried. Meeting adjourned.
Submitted by Steve Tonn