March 16, 2022
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Wahpeton Park Board was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 5:15 pm at the Community Center in Wahpeton, North Dakota.
Commissioners present: Deb Tobias, Roger Jensen, Brian Watson, and Joe Schreiner.
Staff present: Wayne Beyer, Director of Parks and Recreation, Brad Edwardson Park Superintendent, Keith Blattenbauer, Park & Recreation Director, Kathy Diekman, Zoo Director, Connie Metcalf, Park Board Clerk.
Meeting was called to order by Park Board Vice President Brian Watson.
Citizen’s Request: Rick, Julie Nathaniel Olthoff. Nathaniel gave an apology for his role in the open gym fighting. He would like the board to let him play baseball this spring. He said next time he will walk away and be smart.
After some questions from the board to Nathaniel.
Deb Tobias motioned to lift the No Trespass from the park, seconded by Roger Jensen. Motion Carried 3-0.
Rich Slagle attended meeting for the fundraising for the Wellness Center.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Jensen to approve the meeting minutes on February 16, 2022, seconded by Deb Tobias. Motion Carried. 3-0.
Reports from Officers
Recreation Director
Keith reported that the Booster Club would not be helping with Basketball tourney on March 19th.
Sponsor letters were sent out this week.
Last day for open gym is March 21st due to events in the high school gym.
Citizen/mother Aldonia Edwards and Josiah Edwards came to meeting to discuss open gym fight that took place.
She said Josiah did not fight he was trying to help his friend Nathaniel Olthoff. She thinks it is unfair that he is
being punished for his actions and kept from playing baseball this summer. The board asked Josiah what happened.
He explained his side of the story. They were asked to step out of meeting so the board could discuss the issue.
The board would like to review the video before deciding. Keith will request video from the school. They will make a
decision before April meeting and before baseball starts in May.
Park Superintendent
They will try and clean the road to Kidder Rec due to has not been cleaned since last storm.
Started cleaning snow from JRF to get difficult areas to start melting.
Parking lot lift station has excessive erosion from water extraction off end of concrete. Interstate Engineering
has been contacted.
Lost all ice on multi-purpose court.
Zoo Director:
Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 9th.
Opening Day is set for Saturday, April 23rd.
Zoo is taking applications for seasonal help.
Prairie Rose Carousel’s 30th Anniversary will be celebrated August 13th.
Director:
Wahpeton Police Dept donated five AED units to Parks & Recreation.
Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club offered to be the local $1250 match for the
golf fishing pier shoreline project.
Lake Region Arts Council approved an $8000 grant for an arts programmer for the
Three Rivers Arts Council.
Nordick Electric installed LED lighting in the WCC gym.
Bob Engstrom funeral was held Feb. 26th. Over $500 for Band Shelter memorials have
been received.
Hunter Education classes are scheduled at Hughes Shelter on March 28-29-31 and
April 4-5-7.
Motion to approve LED application in park by Deb Tobias, seconded by Roger Jensen.
Motion Carried. 4-0.
Reports from Commissioners and Committees:
Recreation: meeting- March 17th.
Head of the Red Youth: none
Maintenance: in Brad’s report
Personnel/Finance: Approve Parks & Recreation Director candidate interviews
Motion by Deb Tobias to approve applications for open Director’s position, seconded by
Roger Jensen. Motion Carried. 4-0.
Pool Committee: No report.
Approve committee reports – Roger Jensen motioned to accept committee reports, seconded by Deb Tobias. Motion Carried. 4-0.
Scheduled Committee meetings:
- Recreation Committee – Thursday, April 14, 2022 at WCC at noon.
- Maintenance Committee – Tuesday, April 12th, 2022- at Park shop – noon.
- Personnel/Finance/Planning Committee – Thursday, March 31st at WCC – 12:15.
Commissioner’s requests: none
Financial Reports:
- Park Board Clerk’s report.
- Approve 2021 amended Park Board budget.
Deb Tobias motioned to approve 2021 amended budget, seconded by Roger Jensen. Motion Carried. 4-0.
- Parks & Recreation Department.
- Fund Balances (as of 02-28-2022).
- Arts Council: $9,188.49 / Bremer Bank Checking
- ND Babe Ruth Baseball – $21,075.51
- Parks & Recreation: $315,492.40 / Bank of the West Checking.
- Parks & Rec Foundation: $5,802.63 / Edward Jones.
- Red River Area Sportsman’s Club: $65,118.12 / Bank of the West Checking.
- Special Olympics: $11,022.96 / Bank of the West Checking.
Joe Schreiner motioned to approve financial reports and Park Board Bills, seconded by Deb Tobias. Motion Carried 4-0.
Unfinished/New Business: (100% approval for vote consideration).
Date of next meeting: Wednesday, April 20, 2022– 5:15 Wahpeton Community Center.
Joe Schreiner motioned to adjourn, seconded by Roger Jensen. Motion Carried. 4-0.
Adjournment.
__________________________ _______________________________
Brian Watson, Vice President Connie Metcalf, Park Board Clerk
Adjournment.