04-14-2010Minutes, Blair Park Board Meeting
April 14, 2010
Roll Call
Members of the Blair Park Board met at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Members present: Neil Jensen, president; Ann George, secretary; Jeene Hobbs, Roger Petersen, Ardee
Pounds. Blair Parks Department: Pat Long.
Reading and Approval of October 14, 2009, Minutes
Ardee Pounds's motion to approve the October 14 minutes was seconded by Roger Petersen and
carried.
Approval of Bills
There were no bills needing approval. Pat Long noted that the bench in front of Ace Hardware had been
damaged during snow removal, and that he is ordering a new one.
Old Business
Discussion of new plaveround equipment. Pat asked Board members to begin thinking about playground
equipment needs. Jeene Hobbs reminded members of a previous discussion about developing the Lions
Park playground with a train theme when the 1880 depot there is restored. Neil Jensen recalled earlier
discussions about installing a climbing wall. Ardee Pounds suggested installing low impact exercise
equipment for seniors as part of the park system.
Update on Black Elk Board's achievements and coals for 2010. Ann George, a member of the
Black Elk - Neihardt Board, reported that because of bad weather the day of the March meeting, most
agenda items had been postponed to the April meeting. That board is planning a Community Fun Day at
the park on Sunday, June 27.
New Business
Election of Park Board officers. Ardee Pounds made a motion, seconded by Roger Petersen, that Neil
Jensen be reelected president, that Jeene Hobbs be elected vice president, and that Ann George be
reelected secretary. The motion was carried. Pat Long said that Jim Peterson, a longtime Board
member whose term had expired, had decided not to serve another three -year term. Jim had recommended
a replacement; Pat said he'd check with him on whether that person had shown an interest in being a Park
Board member.
Discussion of Arbor Day celebration. Members decided to hold this year's Arbor Day tree planting at
1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30, at Stemmerman Park. Neil Jensen will get in touch with North School to
make arrangements for participation by a class of second - graders, and Pat Long will ask Mayor Realph to
speak. Pat will also need the names of the students for the plaques that will be placed at each tree.
Friends of Arboretum meeting: This group will meet on Wednesday, April 21, at City Hall to continue
its project of inventorying and recording trees at Black Elk - Neihardt Park.
Other Business
Amendment of statute on park hours. Pat proposed that Phil Green, assistant city administrator, and a
representative of the Blair Police Department meet with the Board at its May meeting to discuss the
motion made at the October 14 meeting to close all city parks at dusk. Members agreed that an appropriate
closing time would be 10 p.m., or no later than whatever the curfew is for minors.
Adjournment. Roger Petersen's motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded by Ardee Pounds
and carried. The Board will next meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted, Ann George, Secretary