Nov 21, 2008 - 04:05:24 CST
The Bismarck Park Board on Tuesday accepted a healthy donation for buying playground equipment at the New Generations Park and advanced toward growing Cottonwood Park.Paul Gurholt, president of the Farwest Rotary Club, presented the board with a $20,000 check, raised by both the local group's effort and matching funds from the Rotary International Foundation District 5580.
The money will be used toward creating two fully ramped play structures with a Wild West theme at New Generations Park.
The board also agreed to a $230,000 price for its future purchase of 23 acres of property near Cottonwood Park.
The details of financing and actually purchasing the property will be decided at the Dec. 18 meeting.
The offer of $10,000 per acre was made by Chad Wachter of Wachter Development. If not bought by the park district, Wachter said he felt it could be developed into residential property.
It is located west of the Cottonwood Pond.
The park commissioners opened discussion about a policy on encroachment of park property in residential neighborhoods. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Neu said he expected the process to take several months.
Concerns were aired about what the park district's liabilities were if someone were injured using park property for unauthorized purposes.
"We've had instances where people have planted trees and gardens, we have seen the dumping of leaves, trees and debris over the edge of property," Neu said. "With some developers, the lot is extended beyond the property line. The other issues are fences that go over property lines and working with utility companies."
Neu said that enforcement posed a challenge.
In a separate item, board members accepted a policy for how walking/running trails are marked.
The policy requires a written request to the Bismarck Park District prior to the race or event. If the users plan to mark any paved or non-paved surface for marking a distance or direction, they must describe what kind of marking it will be and where it will take place.
It states that "any marking on park district property shall be done using the most temporary medium possible, including water-based paint, dry or liquid chalk, food coloring or other low-durability substances."
The policy explains that those placing the markings or signs shall be responsible for removing them to the best of their ability.
In another matter, the board approved offering the Flex 125 plan to its full-time employees. The plan allows the workers to deduct a certain amount of pretax dollars from their pay toward the use of future medical expenses.
The commissioners voted to move ahead with 2009 planning projects for the Schaumberg Arena, Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, the World War Memorial Building, and the Capital Racket and Fitness Center.
"It's just the first step for the long-range planning of those buildings - the improvements, the upgrades and the additions," said Neu.
Come On wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:23 AM:
JP wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:16 PM:
to Seriously wrote on Nov 22, 2008 11:38 AM:
Seriously wrote on Nov 21, 2008 12:33 PM:
And you didn't have time to research the flex plan with a CPA? Really? Is that your role? The city and state employees use such a program and it is widely regarded as successful and beneficial? Save the time for that and instead, read your materials. Seems to me the other commissioners are prepared for the meeting. You should be, too. Please, the public who elected you deserve a professional. And one final question - you refer to the park SERVICE? Who or what is that? "
m wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:27 AM:
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