August 18, 2010

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular Wahpeton Park Board meeting was held on August 18, 2010 beginning at 5:15 p.m. on the People Mover.

Commissioners present:  Wayne Gripentrog, Max Reinke, Steve Craig, Devry Klocke and Deb Tobias.

Park Staff present:        Wayne Beyer – Director of Parks & Recreation & Bus Driver

                                    John Dassenko – Park Superintendent

                                    Connie Raguse – Park Board Clerk

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Meeting was called to order by President Wayne Gripentrog.

Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Steve Craig to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2010 meeting.  Motion Carried.

OFFICER REPORTS

Park Superintendent – John Dassenko

*    Staff is working on the football storage building.  He will contact Jim Sturdevant about obtaining some shelving for the upstairs
      area.  John inquired about some used counter top that might be available at ProBuild.  They still need to seal the floor and hope
      to do that on Thursday.

*    Staff is keeping up with the mowing.

Recreation Superintendent – LaRee Bumgarner (written report)

*    Organizational meetings for women’s and coed fall volleyball are scheduled for August 24 at the Community Center.

*    Equipment is being handed out on August 18 and August 19 for 5^th and 6^th grade tackle football.  Practice starts on Monday,
      August 23^rd.

*    Flag football for grades 3-4 will start on September 7^th at the Chahinkapa Park football field.

*    The fall soccer program starts with registration on September 7.  Practices will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays.  The
      program runs through October 19^th.

*    The Phil Hansen Sportsmanship Camp was held on Monday, August 16 at NDSCS.  Approximately 175 individuals participated. 
NDSCS Football team assisted with the camp.

*    Punt, Pass and Kick Contests are scheduled on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Chahinkapa Park football field.

Zoo Director – Kathy Diekman (written report)

*    The Zoo Friends Picnic is scheduled on Tuesday, September 21 at Hughes Shelter from 5-7 p.m.

*    A bison calf and antelope kid were born at the zoo.

*    The orangutan habitat should be ready by the end of August.  Staff will be attending anorangutan conference.

*    There is a list of AZA concerns and achievements noted by the visiting committee.  Kathy will be attending the AZA hearing in
      September in Houston.    Thanks to those who met with the AZA Committee.

*    The Moldova trip was successful.

*    Free zoo night was held on July 21 from 5-8 p.m., sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank

*    Wade Harty is the new Chahinkapa Zoo Board Member.

Director of Parks & Recreation – Wayne Beyer

*    United Way appropriations will be less in 2011.

*    The Convention & Visitors Bureau is sponsoring banners along Dakota Avenue.

*    Wahpeton received the Tree City USA recognition for the 26^th year and has received the Growth Award for 16 years, more
      than any North Dakota city.

*    Director attended the ND Horticulture Society Conference in Devils Lake.

*    A policy for full time employees needs to be implemented where they read and sign off on their job description.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Recreation Committee

*    Head of the Red Youth Activities Association meeting was held last Monday.  Their budget is set, new scoreboard should be in
      place and fall dates have been set, starting about the 2^nd week in October.  Mike McCall asked if the Park Board would ever
      consider taking over the arena operation but at this time things are staying the same.

*    Baseball Committee will meet to review the baseball season and receive suggestions from the coaches.  The baseball benefit
      will be the next project.

*    Some work is taking place on the high school baseball field.  All the agrilime will be moved to the field in a few weeks.

*    The relationship between the school and Parks & Recreation was explained to Rick Jacobson, School Superintendent with
      regard to shared usage of facilities.

*    Wayne Beyer explained that the public works has been considering metering all water in the city. 
      This will make a huge impact on the park as they received water for free in the past.

*    Any firewood for the campground must be purchased in town.

Maintenance Committee

*    The roof of the Gagelin Shelter is in rough shape and should be replaced.  Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Devry Klocke to
      approve the replacement of the Gagelin Shelter roof with colored steel as per estimate.  Motion Carried.

*    The baseball scoreboard cover is shot.  An estimate to replace it was $520.  Max Reinke inquired as to whether some money
      could be obtained from the Baseball Committee.  It was referred back to the Maintenance Committee.

Personnel and Finance Committee

*    Wayne Gripentrog reviewed the items discussed at the meeting.  Steve Craig and Wayne Gripentrog met with the AZA
      Committee.  The AZA indicated that Kathy’s salary and full time staff salaries are low.  This is the second time that AZA has
      mentioned the salary situation.  Since the Park Board pays the director’s salary, a stipend may be given to the zoo comparable
      to her salary.

*    The City will be metering water used in the Park.  It was asked whether a well in the park could be an option.

Swim Pool Committee – no meeting

Wahpeton Community Center Committee – met on August 18^th

Motion by Max Reinke, seconded by Deb Tobias to approve the committee reports.  Motion Carried.
Commissioner Tobias asked that Airport Park water, dugout seats, dog signs & bags and concrete for the basketball court be
considered.

Financial Reports
Motion by Devry Klocke, seconded by Deb Tobias to approve the financial reports. Motion Carried.

Payment of Bills
Motion by Deb Tobias, seconded by Steve Craig to approve payment of the bills.  Motion Carried.

Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the Wahpeton Community Center at 5:15 p.m.