11-12-2008Roll Call
Members of the Blair Park Board met at 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, in the City Council Chambers.
Members present: Neil Jensen, president; Kathy Kuster, vice president, Ann George, secretary; Roger
Petersen, Jim Peterson, Ardee Pounds. Blair Parks Department: Pat Long.
Reading and Approval of October 8, 2008, Minutes
Ardee Pounds's motion to approve the October 8 minutes was seconded by Kathy Kuster and
carried.
Approval of Bills
There were no bills needing approval.
Minutes, Blair Park Board Meeting
November 12, 2008
Old Business
Review of NSA tour of Stever Park and Black ElkNe hardt Park. October 23, 2008. Pat estimated that
approximately two dozen members of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum participated in the visit. The
NSA has offered do grafts of the "flagpole" maple in Steyer Park and to provide an intern to help identify
trees in both of the above parks.
New Business
Discussion of playground equipment for 2009. Pat reported that after the safety audit visit by the
insurance inspector, the Parks Department had removed, from Steyer Park, a small slide that was outdated
and didn't have a top, an old infant swing set, and the steel horse swing because none of them complied
with safety requirements. Over the winter he plans to check out pricing for replacements. He also plans to
bring the playground sand base up to code in the fall zones. Board members briefly discussed moving the
playground equipment at Black Elk - Neihardt Park to a more accessible area that wouldn't have the
drainage problems of the present location.
Discussion of tree plantings for 2009. Pat reported that 12 trees with bird roosting problems had been
mo
re c ved .
from Washington Street. They're being replaced with columnar tulip trees, columnar crimson
oaks, and columnar maples. He plans to replace eight to 12 more trees in the spring.
Report from Arboretum Curator
Curator Neil Jensen gave Board members overview printouts of Steyer and Black Elk - Neihardt Parks with
tree and shrub identifications. He also gave members copies of the NSA's 2009 calendar that features two
prize - winning photos taken in Black Elk- Neihardt Park by Blair resident Tammy Hughbanks. Neil also
circulated an NSA Curator Plant Sale list he'd received. Roger Petersen reported on tree identification
progress on the Arbor School campus.
Jim Peterson's motion to adjourn was seconded by Roger Petersen and carried. Board members
decided not to meet in December and January; the next meeting will be on February 11 at 7 p.m. in the
City Council chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann George, Secretary