2024-03-13
Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes for March 13, 2024
Call to Order: The Blair Park Board meeting was called to order by
President Neil Jensen at 7 p.m.
Present: Neil Jensen, Todd Wick, Kristi Rounds, Sara Boeka, Joe Burns,
Betsy Anderson and Park Superintendent Pat Long.
Approval of Minutes: The February 14, 2024 minutes were approved by
Sarah Boeka and seconded by Kristi Rounds.
Approval of Bills: No bills were submitted for approval.
Old Business:
1. Big Muddy Mo Engineering visited the site at Styer Park
designated for the dog park. The area was surveyed for
topographical and geological information. A map is being created
from the obtained data. Recommendations will then be made for
any needed grading. These measurements will also assist in
determining the amount of needed fencing. During conversations
with the engineering firm, recommendations were made to round
the corners of the fenced area to eliminate any dog from being
“cornered” while at play and that there be a water source provided
but no common ‘drinking bowl’ to eliminate the potential of any
water transferred diseases.
New Business:
1. A motion was made by Krisit Rounds to retain the current Park
Board officers: President – Neil Jensen, Vice President – Sarah
Boeka and Secretary – Betsy Anderson. The motion was
seconded by Sarah Boeka. The motion carried.
2. The Arbor Day Celebration on April 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. has
changed location and will now be at Rich Warrick Park.
3. Because of Emerald Ash Boer all the Ash trees in the Deerfield
Subdivision Islands have been removed. Grading, leveling, tree
planting and mulching will be completed in June. A grant from the
NRD will provide 9 trees.
4. Josh Nichols, a staff member of the Park Department, updated the
board regarding the current conditions of the Hardy RV Park and
made improvement suggestions. His specific recommendations
were:
Increase the overnight fees for RVs from the current
$17.50 to $20.00 and for tents from $12.50 to $15.00.
These fees are collected in cash and the fee change
would eliminate the need for campers to have coins.
He presented comparative fees charged at Wilson
Island and in Missouri Valley which ranged from
$25.00 to $45.00.
From his research he indicated the revenue collected
in 2022 August through October was $3,495 and in
2023 August through October was $5,370. He
suggested in lieu of placing the collected fees in the
city’s general fund, the monies could be a line on the
park department’s budget and utilized for park
upkeep, maintenance and improvements.
Increase the allowable overnight stays from 5 nights
to 10 or 14 nights. This change would eliminate the
need for campers to request overstay extensions
from the city administrator and be more consistent
with other camping facilities. Mr. Nichols’ research
indicated 98% of the RV stays are from 1-3 nights
and rarely is the park at 100% capacity.
The board recommended Mr. Nichols refine the wording for the
suggested rules and regulations changes for further review by the
Park Board.
Adjournment: Sarah Boeka’s motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded
by Joe Burnes. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Betsy Anderson March 15, 2024