09-15-1997•
Blair Park Board Meeting
September 15, 1997.
The September meeting of the Blair Park Board was called to order by President Kathy
Kuster at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 15. 1997. The meeting was held at the Blair City
Offices. Those present included Kathy Kuster. Jim Peterson, Bobby Cade, Steve Buller, and
Donna Mahlendorf. Park superintendent Pat Long was also present.
Motion was made by Donna Mahlendorf, seconded by Steve Buller, to approve the
minutes of the May 19 Meeting as written. Motion carried.
Report of the Park Superintendent:
Pat Long reported on purchases of equipment etc. He reported that the Park Department
was reported to be over budget to the tune of $7,419.00. However, because a grant was not
reported, the situation is not as bad are reported.
Pat also reported that the park department was not able to utilize Keno Funds. However,
he does hope to make use of them in the future.
The new truck did come in and they are making use of it at this time. It required an
• expenditure of funds to buy a lift, radio etc.
Old Business.
There was no old business to discuss.
New Business:
Development Plans for the New City Park.
The Board discussed the removal of trees at Black Elk Park to be replanted in the new
city park. Pat reported that they had picked out two dozen trees that can be transplanted into the
new park. These included hackberries, oaks, hawthorne, sugar maple, black walnuts, green ash,
and others. Pat reported that they will need an additional dozen trees to complete the work at
the new park.
Pat is planning to go through this winter and decide where these trees should go in the
new park. He also reported that the water line in the new park is about complete. The final
grading for the paving of the street into the park will be the next item. It will be next spring
before the trees can be planted. He also discussed possible landscaping for the new park and
how it would be handled.
Discussion of Play Ground Eauinment for 1998..
Pat indicated that he did not believe that a lot of play ground equipment was needed for
the new park. The park is only five acres in size and much of that land is too steep for
playground equipment. Discussion followed as to possible locations of this equipment.
Park Budget for New Fiscal Year:.
Pat reported on the new budget for the Parks Department. The budget included $4,500
for trees and shrubs which the majority is earmarked for the new park. It also included a budget
of $13,000 for playground equipment, general improvement, and maintenance. There was some
discussion about Masonic funds being available for playground equipment.
The Friends of the Arboretum were working on some money raising campaigns that
would be unique to the Park Systems. Discussion was held about various ways that could be
used. An example was the selling of bricks to be used in sidewalks, etc. The majority of those
on the Park Board felt this to be a good idea.
Changing the Meeting Nights for the Park Board.
Discussion was held about having the meetings of the Blair Park Board and the Friends of
the Arboretum on the same night. Steve Buller moved, seconded by Bobby Cade, to have the
meetings on the same night. Motion carried. Discussion followed with the date being the second
Wednesday of each month. This will begin the second Wednesday of October.
Art in the Park Program
Discussion was held about the possibility of having an "Art in the Park" Program as a fall
program in the park system. It was felt by the group that the earliest that this could be done is in
the Fall of 1998.
There being no further business, Bobby Cade moved to adjourn the meeting. Meeting
was adjourned.
James M. Peterson
Secretary