11-13-2013Minutes, Blair Park Board Meeting
November 13, 2013
Roll Call
Members of the Blair Park Board met at 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 13, in the City Council
Chambers. Members present: Neil Jensen, president; Jeene Hobbs, vice president; Ann George,
secretary; Ardee Pounds, Roger Petersen. Blair Park Department: Pat Long. Not present:
Steve Tonn.
Ardee Pounds's motion to approve the minutes of the October 9 meeting was seconded by Roger
Petersen and carried.
Approval of Bills
There were no bills needing approval.
Old Business
Completed phase of new sidewalk at Lions Park donated by the Lions Club, Pat Long
commented on the completion of this project.
New Business
Continued discussion of park improvements for 2014. Pat Long told Board members that next
spring the Friends of Black Elk - Neihardt Park (formerly Black Elk - Neihardt Park Board, Inc.)
will develop the proposed overlook near the Thomsen picnic shelter.
Pat said that in mid -to -late December he plans to submit a grant request for $2,500 to the Blair
Community Foundation, an amount that will go toward the purchase of trash barrels. An
additional $4,000 will come from the following sources, with $1,000 from each: the budget,
donated funds, a pledge for Optimists Park, and the Recycling Association. The trash cans will
be placed along new trails and by picnic shelters.
In reviewing next year's budget, Pat noted that it includes $43,000 for the tennis courts; $25,000
for playgrounds; $6,500 for the planting of trees and shrubs and the removal of trees damaged by
the August straight wind storm; $3,000 for maintenance at Black Elk- Neihardt Park (including
installation of LED lighting and new bathroom doors); and $4,000 for park signage, new park
restroom door locks, and a master key for all of those doors.
Pat also discussed with Board members a request by Verizon to install a cell tower at Black Elk -
Neihardt Park.
Next Friends of Arboretum meeting. This group will next meet on February 19, 2014.
Adjournment
A motion by Jeene Hobbs that the Park Board not meet in December and January and that it next
meet in February was seconded by Ardee Pounds and carried. The next meeting will be on
Wednesday, February 12, in the City Council Chambers, Roger Petersen's motion to adjourn was
carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann George, Secretary