10-14-2009Roll Call
Members of the Blair Park Board met at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, in the City Hall Council
Chamber. Members present: Ann George, secretary; Jeene Hobbs, Jim Peterson, Ardee Pounds. Blair
Parks Depa trent: Pat Long. Members not present: Neil Jensen, Roger Petersen.
Readi igaid Approval of September 9, 2009, Mi utes
Ardee Pounds's motion to approve the Septe ber 9 minutes was seconded by .1 Peters()
carried.
Approval of 1ills
There were no bills needing approval.
Old Business
Discussion of new play equipment for all parks. Pat Long told Board members that the year's budget for
improving playground equipment was $28,000 ($10,000 from keno funds; $8,000 from capital reserves;
and $10,000 from general funds). The budget also includes $2,500 for age bracket signage, at $200-$450
per sign. At the last meeting Pat had asked members to visit the parks and to come to this meeting with
suggestions for improvements. Jeene Hobbs distributed a printout of her thoughts and questions, and much
of the discussion that followed was based on several of these, with an agreement that others should be
discussed at future meetings. Discussion ranged from the need to paint playground equipment to make it
more inviting (this could be an Eagle Scout project), the need for bike racks at some of the parks, and
developing playground themes (railroad, for example, at Lions Park), to an eventual splash park (perhaps
similar to the one at the Fremont YMCA) and outdoor musical instruments, which could be given as
memorial gifts (see Websites Free Notes and Sound Play). Signage (or more prominent signage)
identifying Stever Park and Black Elk-Neihardt Park as Affiliate Sites of the Nebraska Statewide
Arboretum is needed — this could be a project for Friends of the Arboretum.
Update on Black Elk Park sidewalks. This year's project (the Black Elk-Neihardt Park Board
Inc.'s Phase 3), a sidewalk around the reservoir, has been completed, Pat told Board members, at a cost of
$29,800. The bill was split in half, with the Black Elk-Neihardt Park Board paying half and the city half,
from keno funds and from a budgeted item.
New Business
Discussion of possible future improvements for all parks. See discussion under Old Business.
Friends of Arboretum meeting, The next meeting is set for Wednesday, October 21, at City Hall.
Other Business
Amendment of statute on park hours. The general discussion on park improvements also led to
consideration of park hours and that changing the present statute requires action by the City Council. Ji
Peterson 1,1 oved that all Blair City Parks close at dusk, pending special circumstances. His T1 otion
w Ls seconded by Ardee Pounds and carried. This motion will be conveyed to Rod Storm and Phil
Green in city government. (Pat later asked that the following qualification be added: with the exception
of Hardy RV Park and °pail ist Park.)
Adjournm fit, J I Peterson's motion to adjourn the I I eeting was seconded by Jeene Hobbs aid
carried. The Board will next meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11 in the City Hall Council
Chamber.
Respectfully submitted, Ann George, Secretary
Minutes, Blair Park Board Meeti
October 14 2009
g
and
October 21, 2009
TO: Rod Storm and Phil Green
FROM: Blair City Park Board
SUBJECT: City Park hours, statute change needing City Council action
On October 14, 2009, at its regular monthly meeting, members of the City Park
Board approved the following 1 otion:
That Blair City Parks, with the exception of the Hardy RV Park and
Optimist Park, close at dusk, pending special circumstances® (Motion
made by Jim Peterson, seconded by Ardee Pounds, and carried.)
2.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann George, Secretary