Board Minutes

Wahpeton Park & Rec. Dept.

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Minutes

April 16, 2008

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular Wahpeton Park Board meeting was held on the 16^th day of April, 2008 beginning at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall.

Commissioners Present: Roger Jensen, Don Bajumpaa, Wayne Gripentrog and Max Reinke.

Commissioners Absent: Steve Craig.

Staff Present: Director of Parks & Recreation – Wayne Beyer

Park Superintendent – John Dassenko

Recreation Superintendent – LaRee Bumgarner

Zoo Director – Kathy Diekman

Park Board Clerk – Connie Raguse

Commissioner Jensen presided at the meeting.

Meeting was called to order by President Roger Jensen.

Minutes of the March 19^th meeting were reviewed. Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Don Bajumpaa to approve the minutes. Motion Carried.

Citizen’s Request:

Janet Gagelin – Southern Valley Health Watch
Janet Gagelin was present representing Southern Valley Health Watch. She informed the Park Board that the Active Lifestyle Committee has a three-phase project and would like to mark the walking trails that have been identified. These walking paths would be marked with an ivory-colored shoe print which would be reflective and about the size of a license plate. This sign would be attached to a six foot post. There would be markers about every half mile on these walking areas. There would be no cost to the Park Board. They are asking for permission to proceed with the project and some guidance as to the location of these signs. The footprint would contain information regarding financial support received.

She has also talked with the Scouts regarding some benches along these routes. They are looking at wood benches. There was some discussion as to the longevity of a wood bench and other materials.

Ms. Gagelin provided a map with the various areas being considered in the first phase of this project.

These areas included: -16^th Avenue North to 11^th Street North

-11^th Street North to the 210 By-Pass

-Levee trail beginning at Dakota Avenue through Park to 4^th Street North

-Park Entrance on 1^st Street

-Kidder Park/Campground

-11^th Avenue South to Center Street

The costs would be approximately $30 per sign and approximately $7.00 per post for a total estimated cost of $1,500 to $1,750.

Motion by Don Bajumpaa, seconded by Wayne Gripentrog to approve moving forward with this project by Southern Valley Health Watch – Active Lifestyle Committee. Motion Carried.

Brad Edwardson – Baseball Committee
Brad Edwardson presented information regarding the development of baseball practice fields at the NDSCS Complex on the west side of the Blikre Activities Center.

Brad talked with NDSCS officials and they would like this project supported by the Park Board as they wanted assurance for maintenance and part of overall recreation plans.

NDSCS may be having women’s fast pitch softball and needs a diamond for these practices and games.

This field could be used during the summer by Cal Ripken baseball games and practices. At present, any Cal Ripken games are held in Breckenridge.

Practice fields are at a premium during the summer months. Mr. Edwardson was confident that he would have volunteers for the labor in preparing the infields and setting up fences. Funding is presently not in place but would be obtained if this project is pursued.

Commissioner Max Reinke will meet with NDSCS Athletic Director Jane Passa. Commissioners felt this project should be fast-tracked so it could be started relatively soon.

Park Superintendent Report

John Dassenko reported:

	The zoo bathrooms have been painted.
	Toolboxes have been donated for the pickups.
	The counter in Langendorfer Shelter was vandalized and has been repaired.
	Bathrooms are being opened. Baseball restrooms are open but the softball field line is still froze.
	By the end of the week the campground and bathrooms should be open.
	The baseball concessions roof is being replaced.
	Gravel is needed for the baseball parking lot.

Chad Affield will be doing the softball and baseball field work. He will have help from Shawn Owens and Nick Pratt will be hired to fill in.

Max Reinke commented that he had been in the Optimist Shelter and said that it looks great.

Recreation Superintendent Report

	Youth track, with Hersheys and Optimists Twin-Town Track Meets, has started.
	Junior Olympic Skills Competition is scheduled, where youths compete in four different events, making them eligible to advance.
	Men’s softball season is being organized. Monday night teams total 16 so far for this year.
	Pitch, Hit and Run competition will be held.
	Horseshoe League will be meeting to organize for the season.
	Youth Summer Recreation Registration pamphlets have been taken to the schools. This is being done this year in hopes to increase participation in the various activities. Zoo classes were also included in this booklet. Registration is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, from noon to 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.
	At the end of the summer activities, a British Soccer Camp will be offered.

Zoo Director Report

	The roof on the Nature Center needs to be replaced. Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Don Bajumpaa to proceed with the project. Motion Carried.
	Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.
	On Thursday, April 24, 2008 at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Circle of Nations will be having an Eagle Adoption Ceremony by the Bald Eagle Habitat.
	The zoo will be opening for the season on Saturday, April 26.
	The 2007 zoo labor bill has been paid in-full to the Park Board.

Director of Parks & Recreation

	Chahinkapa Park was named in an estate. Funds have been pledged for landscaping in the park. A specific amount is unknown at this time.
	Chuck Oberg left $5,000 for an electronic scoreboard at Hughes Field Diamond 1. Wayne has been in contact with Daktronics regarding a scoreboard.
	The Insurance Reserve Fund issued a conferment check in the amount of $6,003.
	The Stern Ice Arena has present value of $2.8 million. It will be necessary to increase the insurance. We also need to re-evaluate other facilities for a valuation.
	May 2^nd is Arbor Day.
	There is a pending softball disciplinary matter which is noted in #33 on page 15 in the report.
	There will be a fishing tournament at the Kidder Recreation Area on May 3.
	There will be a Senior Citizen’s walk at the zoo at 1 PM on Monday, May 12^th.
	On May 17, Zonta would like to have a rummage sale at Stern Arena. Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Wayne Gripentrog to approve this event. Motion Carried.
	To finance any storage building in the park, there would be a need for a public vote unless we use user fees or have the funding up-front.
	Men’s and women’s softball have requested a Port-a-Potty near Diamond 4. This cost would be split 3 ways. Motion by Gripentrog, seconded by Reinke to allot $250 toward the rental of a Port-a-Potty. Motion Carried. Wayne stated that he would be checking with residents in that area as to an appropriate placement.
	Wayne informed the Park Board that he would not be running for City Council. He commented that he felt that the Park Board members should receive a stipend.
	LeRoy Matejcek has contacted Wayne about a flag project near Hughes Shelter.
	There isn’t funding for the big flag to be put at the Baseball field. Roger Jensen stated that he felt the Park Board should find the funding necessary because the whole system is rather costly if purchased. Wayne will contact Comstock Construction on cost to move the flag.
	There is a Fees Survey booklet that is prepared by Parks and Recreation which has fees for programs in many cities in North Dakota.

Max complimented the Director in handling the Head of the Red Meetings and also for his continued dedication to his position.

Committee Reports

Recreation Committee – Nothing to Report

Maintenance Committee –

The committee recommended the purchase of tables for the Optimist Shelter versus the picnic tables which are presently used. There would be two sizes of tables in the shelter and chairs from Hughes and the Armory would be used for the present time. Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Don Bajumpaa to purchase tables for the Optimist Shelter. Motion Carried.

Weed control was addressed for the park. There have been some problems with the spraying rig. The cost of having the park sprayed is $125 an acre. We need to identify the number of acres and prioritize the areas needed. Purchasing a 100 gallon sprayer from Horvig would cost approximately $1,650. There would be less liability issues if the spraying were handled by another firm. Bids on the spraying should be obtained before the next Park Board meeting.

John asked about the upgrade to the lighting at the Optimist Shelter. This would double the present lighting. Motion by Don Bajumpaa, seconded by Wayne Gripentrog to have the lighting upgraded.

Motion carried.

Finance and Personnel Committee

Work is being done on the 75^th Anniversary Booklet. A rough draft is hoped for in the near future.

Roger Jensen said that he had talked with Mayor Sturdevant and he wants to order some of these booklets to be handed out to prospective people moving to Wahpeton.

Swim Pool Committee – Nothing to Report

Community Center Committee

Roger Jensen reported that most of the walls have been stripped. Everything is on schedule.

The anticipated completion date is still mid to late August. Information is that there will be an electronic sign by the facility when completed.

Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Don Bajumpaa to approve the committee reports. Motion carried.

Scheduled Committee Meetings: All satisfactory with members.

Commissioner’s Request – none.

Unfinished Business – none.

Motion by Don Bajumpaa, seconded by Max Reinke to approve the financial reports. Motion carried.

Motion by Don Bajumpaa, seconded by Wayne Gripentrog to pay the bills. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting to be held on May 21, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall.

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