02-12-2003Blair Park Board Meeting
February 12, 2003
1 Call
Blair Park Board met on February 12 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Members present: Neil Jensen, president;
Kathy Kuster, vice president; Ann George, secretary; Ardee Pounds. Blair Parks Department: Pat Long. Members
not present: Donna Mahlendorf, Jim Peterson. Others present: Judy Seaver, Jennie Warwick
The minutes of the November 13, 2002, Park Board meeting were approved.
Approval of Bills
Memorial Bench. Pat Long reported that a Wabash Valley swinging bench, purchased with memorial gifts for Kus
Kuster, had been ordered for Black Elk - Neihardt Park in consultation with Kathy Kuster. Pat said that the lower limit
for gifts specified for the parks is $1,400 and for trees, $500. Neil Jensen, president of Blair Friends of the Arboretum,
agreed that any difference between the amount of a gift and the cost of a purchase could be met by Friends of the
Arboretum as funds allow.
Tables for Stever Park. Pat discussed the purchase of two permanent R.J. Thomas pedestal tables with seats on two
sides for Steyer Park using funds budgeted for playground equipment. Ardee Pounds' motion approving this
purchase was seconded by Kathy Kuster and carried.
Old Business
Park Brochures. Because some brochures remain from the initial printing of 100, a reprinting isn't necessary at this
time.
Business
n dance at Park Board Meetings After discussing attendance at Park Board meetings, Ardee Pounds made the
following motion: That the mayor be notified if a Park Board member misses three consecutive meetings
without an excuse. Her motion was seconded by Kathy Kuster and carried.
Park Board Election. Kathy Kuster moved that the slate of officers who served this past year be elected to
another term. The motion was carried. (The officers are listed above at Roll Call.)
2003 Project Planning. Pat Long listed the following as projects budgeted for 2003: new retainer wall at Steyer
Park — $5,000; painting of bathrooms at Lions, Stemmerman and Black Elk - Neihardt Parks — $3,000; playground
equipment — $5,500 (minus approximately $1,500 for the two tables at Steyer Park mentioned above); improvement of
mosaic pillars at Black Elk - Neihardt Park — $1,800; and trees and shrubs — $3,500. He asked members to think about
other projects to propose at the next meeting.
Goals for 2003. Pat said that goals this year include moving trees and adding plants at Rhoades Park and mulching in
all parks. He commented that because of the anticipated drought, one of the park employees will spend most of his
time operating the water wagon.
Retainer Wall (Stever Park). Pat showed members samples of retainer wall blocks. After discussion, Kathy Kuster
moved that Highlands blocks in the limestone color made by Anchor Wall be used. Her motion was seconded
by Ardee Pounds and carried.
Report from Arboretum Curator
This year's Tree City program will be held on March 30 and April 1 in Omaha at the Clarion Hotel.
Ardee Pounds moved and Kathy Kuster seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann George, Secretary