Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call/Pledge:

Park Board Chair Nicole Altenburg called the regular session of the Park Board to order at 6:40 pm. Present were Park Board members Tina Gauthier, Sonja Ray, LeAnne Kavanagh, and Rod Cline; Mayor Doug Embody, and Secretary Cheri Bundy. Absent were City Superintendent Jim Suta, and Recreation Director Jennifer Biegler. All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Visitors:

Dewey Rides at the Door was present to speak to the Park Board about the need for a dog park and to suggest the dedicated park that is by the Southern Baptist Church. Doug mentioned that right now there is a dispute on who owns that property. The County Attorney declared that the City had abandoned the property, and it was sold to someone else. Legally, the County Commissioners do not have the right to declare City property “abandoned”. Only the City taxpayers can do that. City Attorney Smith is working on this right now. We will discuss the matter further when it is determined who legally owns the property. In the meantime, Mr. Rides at the Door is going to get a petition together to show support for a dog park in Cut Bank. Doug will put this as an action item on the next City Council agenda to give the City Attorney the authority to enter into litigation with Glacier County over the Country Club Addition Subdivision/Dedicated Park.

Approval of Minutes:

Tina made the motion to approve the January 11, 2010 minutes ~ Rod seconded. Motion carried with all in favor and none opposed.

Superintendent’s Report:

There was some discussion about the concerns the Park Board has about the Park Levy money being used for things that the City should be budgeting for general maintenance and up keep. There are also concerns about having projects finished in a timely manner. LeAnne asked about the policy of having bids for projects. Doug said that as long as the work is spread out evenly among the businesses, that’s all he asked Jim to do. He will speak with Jim about the need to put a timeline on having the projects finished. Also, that we want to see some bid estimates of projects. Nicole would like for the board to have some say in what Jim puts in the budget. Maybe they would have some ideas that he didn’t think of, then things wouldn’t be taken from the Park Levy unnecessarily.

Recreation Director’s Report:

Concurring with the recommendation of Recreation Director Jennifer Biegler, Nicole said that we need to revise the Civic Center Room rental agreement. There is a lot of money being lost because of the non-profit waiver, and only charging $50.00 for use of supplies. If a group is selling tickets to their function, they can be charged full price; if no tickets are being sold, then at least charge $100.00. It will be put on the next agenda.

Unfinished Business:

Nicole tabled the Park Board Duties and Responsibilities item due to her not being able to meet with the City Attorney yet. He is aware of our questions, and she will get with him before the next meeting. It will be put on the next agenda.

New Business:

The financial statement was reviewed and discussed. LeAnne said that we should have a more accurate figure than $50,000 since the taxes for November have been paid. Doug will ask Diana about it.

LeAnne made the motion to recommend the Urban Forestry Codes to the City Council for approval ~ Doug seconded. Motion carried with all in favor and none opposed.

There was some discussion about a free day pass to the Civic Center for new community members. The board agreed that it was a good idea and we should pursue this. Tina said that it would also be a good idea to put a coupon in the “Discover Cut Bank” magazine. LeAnne asked Doug if the City would like to be a part of the Gift Certificate program that the Chamber heads up for $15.00 a year. People could give gift certificates to the Civic Center. Doug said that he would speak with Diana about getting the City signed up for that.

Sonja and Rod presented their idea for the Civic Center ionized water project. The Wishing Well ladies would like to go in with the Racquetball Association to purchase the unit, and they would like to put it in the Civic Center. The health benefit of this water is phenomenal. Depending on the setting of the unit, you can use the system to produce cleaning agents. You could get rid of all the cleaning products used in the Civic Center. Sonja suggested that we could charge the public $25.00 a year per person to have unlimited use of the water. If anyone can’t afford the $25.00, it will be on a good will basis. This money could be used as a fund to replace parts of the unit as needed. There would be no cost to the City to install or maintain the system. Tina made the motion to recommend the ionized water project for the Civic Center to the City Council for approval. LeAnne seconded. Motion carried with all in favor and none opposed. Rod and Sonja will be present at the next council meeting to present the idea to the Council.

LeAnne explained the RHI incubator mini grant to the board. They are small grants that come up frequently throughout the year. She would like permission from the Park Board to pursue the grants. They all agreed for her to go ahead.

Doug challenged the Park Board to set goals that they would like to see accomplished, and bring their ideas to the next meeting. He wants people to see the importance of boards. The splash park is an example of an accomplishment that the Park Board along with the Chamber and the generous donations of the public can take credit for. A couple of ideas he had were to have an ice skating park at the SW Park, and a Veterans Memorial for all the veterans in Glacier County. It could possibly be put on the Glacier Electric lawn. It will be put on the next agenda.

Other Business:

None

Correspondence:

The Men of the Moose would like a community service project, and would like to sand down the City’s picnic tables and paint them. Tina also suggested getting them involved in the Arbor Day Celebration.

Doug made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. Sonja seconded. Motion carried with all in favor and none opposed.