04-08-2015Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2015
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Neil Jensen. Members present were Neil
Jensen, Jeene Hobbs, vice chairperson, Roger Petersen, Ardee Pounds, Steve Tonn, secretary and
Pat Long, Parks Superintendent. Ardee Pounds moved that the minutes be approved as mailed.
Roger Petersen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Old Business
The Arbor Day Tree Planting event will be April 24, 1:30 p.m. at Black Elk- Neihart Park with a
second grade class from Deerfield Elementary. Neil has contacted the school. He will also
notify the newspaper for coverage of the event. Neil reported that he has tree seedlings to give to
each student. Matt Wolfe is working on the engraving of the name signs for the trees.
Pat Long informed the Board that an audit to assess the functionality of the playground
equipment in the parks would cost $800 /park. Instead Pat will visit with playground equipment
companies to accomplish the same task rather than paying for an outside audit.
Pat Long reviewed with the Board a list of playground equipment and a status of the equipment
for Stemmermann, Ridgeview, Lions, Steyer, Black Elk- Neihart and Hardy Parks. He also
stated that a piece of equipment at Rhoades Park must be replaced due to insurance replacement
requirements. FEMA funds must be spent at Feb. 2016. There is approximately $28,000 to
spend in this fiscal year in the budget. The City of Blair has $40,000 in their budget for a
restroom at Lion's Park that they have not spent. Pat will check with the City to see if those
funds could be used for other improvements at Lions Park. The Board agreed that the first
option would be to move the playground and horse pits at Lions Park if the City will transfer
their unused $40,000 to pay to move the Lions Park playground. If the $40,000 is not available
then the Board approved that the Lions Park horse shoe pit be moved and the remaining $28,000
in our budget be used to relocate the Rhoades playground equipment in the park. The Board
recommended that Pat select playground equipment for physically challenged youth be acquired
for the Rhoades Park playground equipment relocation.
A vigorous discussion was held on the Park Goals and Master Plan. This will be continued at our
next meeting.
Roger Petersen moved the meeting be adjourned. Ardee Pounds seconded the motion. Motion
carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Tonn, secretary