December 4, 2007 Park Board Minutes

The organizational meeting of the Ward County Park Board was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Park Superintendent Roger Kluck with the following members present: John Fjeldahl, Jerome Gruenberg, Darlene Watne, Jim Lee, Jim Muzzy and Ken Kitzman. Also present were Park Manager Steve Fuegmann; and Secretary Barbara Curren.

 

The floor was opened for nominations for Chairman. Comm. Lee nominated Comm. Gruenberg. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne, that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Comm. Gruenberg as Chairman. Motion carried with all voting yes.

 

Comm. Gruenberg then assumed the Chair.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson to nominate Comm. Watne as Vice-Chair. Comm. Lee moved that Comm. Muzzy be nominated as Vice-Chair. Comm. Erickson withdrew his motion. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Kitzman that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Comm. Muzzy as Vice-Chair. Motion carried with all voting yes.

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Kluck then presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Kitzman to approve the bills totaling $3,568.66. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the electrical upgrades at Old Settler’s Park. Fuegmann informed the Board that he had received funding from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District of up to $2,500 but the County must provide the remaining costs, estimated at $7,500. Fuegmann also informed the Board that he had received one proposal which was estimated at $10,000, but has requested other proposals. Comm. Lee requested to have the State's Attorney review the possibility of the Park Board using other county funds to finance the project, with the Park Board reimbursing those funds over a period of five or ten years.

 

Kluck and Fuegmann informed the Board that the rules and regulations signage were completed and would be placed at the entrances to Rice Lake this coming spring.

 

Kluck updated the Board on the Park properties at Rice Lake and the special assessments they would be billed for. Comm. Lee stated that he thought part of the exchanging of property with the Rice Lake Service District agreement included that no further service fees would be charged until the properties were hooked into the sewer system. Kluck informed the Board that he would have the State's Attorney review the agreement and then call a joint meeting of the Park Board and the Rice Lake Service District to review the agreement. Comm. Lee also requested that the State's Attorney review the procedure for protesting the assessments to avoid penalty for non-payment.

 

Comm. Watne requested an update on the two juveniles prosecuted for vandalism at Old Settler’s Park. Kluck informed the Board that he had spoken to the Burlington Police Chief and was told the juveniles would be paying restitution.

 

The Board then discussed a request for the County to sell property at Rice Lake between the ring road and the properties along the water.  After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee to table the matter until the next Park Board meeting to allow the Highway Department and State's Attorney time to further review the property in question and the legality of selling it. Motion carried with all voting yes.

 

Discussion was then held on the paving of the Old Settler’s Park road. With Assistant County Engineer Dana Larsen appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to refer the matter to the Ward County Board of Commissioners for resolution. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Comm. Muzzy informed the Board that the tree planting committee was scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday December 6, 2007.

 

At 8:47 a.m. it was moved by Comm. Lee to adjourn the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 2^nd DAY OF JANUARY, 2008.

 

s/ Jerome Gruenberg, Chairman

Ward County Park Board

 

ATTEST:

 

s/ Barbara A Curren, Secretary

Ward County Park Board