08-13-2003•
Approval of Bills
There were no bills needing approval.
Blair Park Board Meeting
August 13, 2003
Roll Call
The Blair Park Board met on Wednesday, August 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall conference room. Members
present: Neil Jensen, president; Kathy Kuster, vice president; Aim George, secretary; Ardee Pounds. Blair Parks
Department: Pat Long. Members not present: Donna Mahlendorf, Jim Peterson. Others present: Judy Seaver
(member of Blair Friends of the Arboretum); Skateboard Committee members: Scott Bovick (assistant city
administrator), Jon Stewart (City Council), Kathy Kuster (Park Board —also listed above), Pat Long (Parks Dept. —also
listed above), Rick Miller (father of skateboarder), and skateboarders Tanner Ashland, Bryan Miller, and Kyle Neef.
The minutes of the July 9, 2003, Park Board meeting were approved, with the motion to approve made by Kathy
Kuster, seconded by Ardee Pounds, and carried.
Old Business
Skateboard Committee Proposal and Request. Scott Bovick told Board members that the Skateboard Committee was
working with a company in Elk Horn, Nebraska, that designs and constructs skateboard parks. (Before the meeting
members saw part of the skateboard equipment that was on display in the City Council meeting room.) Bovick said that
of four sites earlier identified as possible locations for the skateboard area, committee members had determined that the
first choice, near 19 and Front, was unfeasible and the third and fourth choices, near the bowling alley and near the
YMCA, were inconveniently located and/or unavailable. The second choice, however, was Steyer Park, and the
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committee had identified two possible sites near the swimming pool — one near Butler Street, the other near Lafayette.
( Bovick said that the Committee had considered the other city parks, but found no suitable sites.)
Ardee Pounds moved that the meeting adjourn so that those present could look at the proposed Steyer
Park sites and that the Park Board subsequently reconvene at City Hall. Her motion was seconded by Kathy
Kuster and carried. Everyone listed above adjourned to Steyer Park. After discussion, the group expressed a
preference for the area closer to Lafayette.
After members of the Skateboard Committee left, the Park Board members, Pat Long, and Judy Seaver viewed
the new retaining wall in Steyer Park that is nearing completion (this was an agenda item under Old Business). When
they returned to the area of the proposed skateboard sites, they identified a third location, also near Lafayette but closer
to the north -south sidewalk and restrooms. After discussion, members agreed that this third site would be the best
location.
Reconvening. Park Board members, Pat Long, and Judy Seaver returned to City Hall.
New Business
Progress Report on Eagle Scout Project. This project to label trees in Steyer and Black Elk - Neihardt Parks as an
Eagle Scout project was proposed by Neil Jensen's son, Matt, and approved earlier by the Park Board. Neil said that his
son plans to complete the project within the next two months.
The next board meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the picnic shelter at Black Elk -
Neihardt Park.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Respectfully submitted,
Ann George, Secretary