2020-02-05
Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes for February 5, 2020
Call to Order: The Blair Park Board President Neil Jensen called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Neil Jensen, Steve Tonn, Joe Burns, Betsy Anderson and Parks
Superintendent Pat Long.
Approval of Minutes: The November 14, 2019 minutes were approved by
Joe Burns and seconded by Steve Tonn.
Approval of Bills: No bills presented.
Old Business:
1. Brent Fullmer of Blair presented concept drawings and the refined
proposal for a natural surface mountain bike trail at Black Elk
Neihardt Park. His presentation included the following information:
The trail system will be divided into three sections. Section 1
will be 2 miles in length, section 2 at 1.86 miles (with
connector a total of 2 miles) and section 3 at .7 miles. The
total length of the trail system will be 4.24 miles.
The layout will allow for a proposed dog park and will keep a
distance between the Tower of the Four Winds, the shelter
and the designated open prairie.
A Board of Directors is being established and members are
Dave Nannen, Ron Beaman and Tammy Reeh.
Papers are being filed for Non-Profit status.
The organization is looking for liability insurance and is
waiting for a quote from Blair Insurance. Other possible
insurance coverage could potentially be available thru THOR
or the City of Blair. Monies for the insurance could
potentially come from grants, corporate in kind funds or
charitable giving.
Park Board Members questioned/discussed the following:
Could Section 2 be the first section constructed? This
o
would allow for more detailed planning for the
proposed dog park.
Where would the trail access points for each section
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be located?
If the trail was approved, when would construction
o
begin?
Betsy Anderson moved to approve the Black Elk Neihardt Natural
Surface Mountain Bike Trail concept be forwarded to the City
Administration and Council for their review and approval. The motion
was seconded by Joe Burns. The motion was approved.
New Business:
1. Election of Officers.
Joe Burns moved to approve the following 2020 Park Board Officers:
President – Neil Jensen, Vice President – Steve Tonn and Secretary
– Betsy Anderson. The motion was seconded by Betsy Anderson.
The motion was approved.
2. Superintendent Pat Long updated the board:
The park’s 2007 pickup is in need of replacement. The
department is looking for a ¾ ton regular cab truck equipped
with a plow and Tommy Gate.
Trees to be planted this year
Steyer Park – Japanese Lilac, Tulip, Autumn
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Blaze Maple
Hardy RV Park – American Red Maple
o
Library – Tulip
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Cemetery – Serbian Spruce (3), Tulip
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Veterans Tribute Plaza – Seven Sons (3)
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Post Office – Shantung Maple
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3. The Arbor Day celebration this year is set for April 24, 2020 at
1:30 p.m. at Steyer Park.
Adjournment:
Steve Tonn’s motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded by Joe Burns.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Betsy Anderson February 7, 2020