00:00:16,900	Here, Redman here. Jesske President Zimmerman. Here A 2nd order of business, uh, if you’d please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

00:00:49,000	The 3rd item on the agenda is approval of the agenda for this evening’s meeting. Do I have a motion or move. Motion by Comm. Gilbertson, seconded by Comm. Redman. Julie, if you’ll call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson. Herzog, yes, Redman, Jesske President Zimmerman.

00:01:16,200	Next item on is our featured partners and programs this month is the Burleigh County Extension, Burley County Egg and Natural Resources agent Tyler Kralacheck, I hope I’m pronouncing that right, uh, Krala, that’s close though, not too bad. So, uh, thank you, uh, Chair Zimmerman and, uh, fellow Parks and, and rec, uh, board members. So I’m gonna talk a little bit. I’m gonna get my hard point going.

00:01:36,130	A little bit about some of the things that we’ve been lucky enough to partner with you guys here the last few years. Uh, many of you may know, uh, with, uh, extension, we are a statewide organization, but, uh, Burleigh County, we focus on Burley County residents.

00:01:52,770	So, uh, there’s a number of programs that we run through our office, which, uh, you guys have been managing the grounds for a number of years and uh a few years ago you guys took over the Joanne, uh, Memorial 4H building where we have our offices. So quite a bit of our programming runs through there. We do work with.

00:02:08,470	BSC and other programs, uh, you know, around the county and even states, um, but we’ve got a number of programs and I’m just gonna highlight a couple of them that are kind of the major ones, so. The biggest one that we have, uh, is Achievement Day.

00:02:24,670	So every year, uh, we have a 4H program, uh, that just started their new year up, uh, September 1st. Last year we had over 300 kids that were involved in the organization, um, and so hopefully we can continue to grow.

00:02:40,730	We’ve had really good success with those, uh, individuals, and I know it’s a, it’s a crowded picture, but, uh, within 4 different shows with your pets and small animals, which is chickens, rabbits, uh, ducks, as well as pets. Um, it gets to be pretty big and then we also A horse day, which, uh, has been growing as of late and hopefully we’ll have, uh, almost double the numbers going into the individuals participating in that, uh, livestock Day, uh, is a very big deal if you’re into traditional livestock, sheep,

00:02:59,830	cattle, uh, goats, uh, and, and pigs, um, and then our big day where we usually get most of our kids is our static event, which we’ve seen over 1000 projects this last year, which is a significant growth from previous years, uh, and that 4H, uh, 4H building is, is great. But it’s almost too small.

00:03:17,870	So in terms of the amount of projects we had this last year. So it was great. Uh, again, just kind of a highlight of some of the things that those kids are bringing, uh, this, uh, year, we always have, uh, our achievement days of the week after the 4th of July.

00:03:31,800	So if you guys want to swing out there and check out some of the projects Wednesday and Thursday we’ll have open houses. Um, you can, uh, check that out for a later date to see the cool stuff that these kids make.

00:03:47,030	Another program that’s really big, and this is again a statewide program, but it’s more near and dear to my heart because I’m one of the main planners for it along with other agents around the state, is our farm safety camp. Uh, we are not only in the 4H building, uh, but there’s the two conference areas that we have, but we’re also out in, um, on the grounds for the Missouri Valley complex.

00:04:02,530	Uh, you’ve got a number of different things the kids do. Um, it’s not just driving tractor, which is usually what that certification implies. Um, we do that and then we kind of put it on steroids so it. Speak and give them a whole lot more education.

00:04:17,470	Uh, you can see on the top left corner of that, uh, slide, we’ve got, uh, our wrap up meeting where the parents come and pick the kids up, um, and they’re able to have the kids tell mom and dad how to.

00:04:32,600	Drive, which I’m sure you could imagine goes super smooth, but uh, at any rate, uh, we have a livestock component and then we have the basics where kids have to know, well, these are the different things you need to do with daily maintenance. So, um, it’s a great opportunity out there. It’s, uh, it’s 3 days, so it’s a very robust deal.

00:04:47,670	Most kids don’t quite get that much exposure even at their at their own home when they’re trying to learn some of the new stuff, so it’s a real good uh thing for, uh, kids that are 13 to 16, so. And then, uh, one that we actually have, uh, coming out of our office here really soon in, uh, in October is going to be our what we call life on the farm.

00:05:05,800	So we gear that towards 3rd graders in Burley County. Uh, this year, I believe we have 600, which is kind of our cap. Uh, unfortunately, we had to turn people away.

00:05:20,730	We just didn’t, uh, didn’t have enough room in our schedule, so hopefully next year we’ll go from a 3 day to a 4 day, uh, but the Joan Heel Memorial, um, uh, building, we do have, uh, those 600 kids within 3 days, uh, go and work through and they Learn at 5 different stations. So we’ve had pasta for a number of years along with byproducts, and I mean, it just wouldn’t be a farm experience if you didn’t have some farm animals.

00:05:36,770	So between uh goats, uh, sheep, you know, usually it’s the babies and then we’ve had a mini horse in there a couple of years and nobody’s gotten bit that I can see yet, so, um, it’s been a really good experience and, you know, a lot of those kids are able to take away a lot of things like, you

00:05:49,070	know, uh, brown milk is not from our chocolate milk is not from brown cows, right? So moving forward, what are the grand plans and I know a number of you have been involved in this process right here with the Missouri Valley Complex Committee, um, extension has a seat, uh, park board has a seat

00:06:04,100	as well as many other, uh, groups that are out there, um, on that complex area and I know we’ve had a number of discussions leading up to this, and we’re going to have plenty going forward, but, uh, there’s a lot of really great positive momentum, uh, and, you know, just joining forces with you

00:06:18,470	guys even further, as well as these other groups is only going to enhance the experience we can uh provide to the community. So I know it was quick and short, but I didn’t want to get too wordy on you. Um, so any questions? Happy to entertain those at this point. Thank you, Tyler. Any questions from commissioners? Comm.

00:06:34,330	Gilbertson. Not so much a question, but just a statement and that I’m so happy what you guys do and um I mean I, I, I, I realize it’s Morton County, but I had.

00:06:54,730	The privilege of being the principal in New Salem for 6 years and being a city kid, um, like I as an adult had my eyes opened to the amazing things that our our students, uh, did, you know, with 4H and and and all that and um.

00:07:19,830	Took our kids to a football game and the homecoming queen, they said, you know, oh, she shows goats and 4H and my kids asked my wife what does she show them, so I mean they, my, my kids probably could have could have benefited from the life on the farm thing, so thank you, thank you, thank you for what you do and, and it’s, it’s an important thing. It’s, it’s an absolute important thing, um, that, that you guys provide. So thank you, thank you for that.

00:07:37,030	That Tyler, I have a question. Uh, you mentioned, you know, the students or the kids out there for achievement day. Is that how they qualified to go to the state fair, say with the animal, um.

00:07:58,370	Project or a static exhibit, do they need to qualify locally to go up to the fair? Is that how it works? Yes, sir. Uh, so when it comes to our achievement days, which, uh, other counties might have a, a county fair, but regardless, you have the different events that you’re in.

00:08:14,800	So static event is kind of like your project time where whether it be uh your gardening project, pictures, I mean, you name it, there’s a number of different areas, uh, that you can qualify in static, uh, livestock is the same way. You have to get a blue at the county level. If you don’t get a blue. You can’t get up to the state fair and participate at least through the 48 show.

00:08:28,730	So yeah, there’s definitely a standard that’s held and, um, you know, like anything, you don’t learn anything from doing it perfect. So, uh, I’ve had my fair share of reds, so to speak, because we have, uh, 3 ribbons you can get once you’re at that point. There’s blue, which means it’s, it’s good and obviously from there you can go up to get a grand champion, reserve champion.

00:08:43,270	There’s honorable mentions. If you get 4 people who you think did an amazing job. You got to pick the top two. Well, those other two kids need recognition. So there’s that opportunity, but yes, uh. answers your question, you have to get a blue in order to move on state fair.

00:08:57,830	One other question, Tyler, you mentioned horse. Uh, programs on the rise. Did I hear that right? You know it’s like any program, I mean, uh, I grew up class B, you know, you’d have those, uh, those classes, so to speak, that were special.

00:09:14,000	Um, you know, we’ve had, uh, a downturn in terms of some of our numbers with uh old horse kids, but, uh, moving forward, uh, we definitely got a little bit of an increase and we finally got some stability in our office for those of you who’ve been around.

00:09:27,470	Uh, we’ve had some agents or positions I should say vacated for a while, so we’ve had a little bit of stability and now we’re building that program up and hopefully with this Missouri Valley Complex and some of the different things that are happening with that group, we can try and, you know, increase with some facilities.

00:09:46,100	Well, I, I know I’m, I’m in and out of there but now we have community gardens and uh you know, moving forward on some other projects, I appreciate the extension and uh your long term, and I know we just. Dedicated a playground not too long ago. I know in honor of uh former uh extension agent there, Elroy for a long time extension agent there, so thank you, thanks for your presentation. Any other questions from commissioners? Hm Thank you all for your time.

00:10:05,400	Thanks for your time this evening. Appreciate it. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is just absolutely my favorite part of being a park Comm.. His discussion of the budget, you know.

00:10:28,430	So, uh, on a serious note, this evening is our public hearing consideration and approval of the 2025 operating budget we have with us this evening Cathy Feces, the finance director for the Bismarck Park District will provide a review of the information. Kathy. Good evening, President Zimmerman and commissioners.

00:10:49,100	As you know, the 2025 budget was introduced at the July Park board meeting and then from that, um, the estimated tax statements were prepared by the county auditor, and those were mailed out to all property owners with an estimated amount of total tax levy that, um, each property would be responsible for paying. Um, as a result of that, or also on those um those tax statements, the, um, public hearings for each local entity were advertised. Ours was advertised as being tonight.

00:11:08,800	We did not receive any feedback. We did not receive any letters, any emails, no, um, we did not receive any calls, so we did not receive any feedback from those publications or from, from any of that information. Before we have the public hearing tonight, I will provide a brief overview of the 2025 budget.

00:11:27,070	The information that I have in my slides is just a summary of the information that’s in your packets, and then these slides are not included in your agenda packets, but we’ll go through that here. We’ll start by looking at the overall budget as a whole.

00:11:52,700	The entire budget for 2025 is proposed to be $27,261,700 that would be a 4% increase over 2024. The general fund budget is proposed to increase at 6.2%. We’ll take a closer look at the breakdown of the general fund expenses of that $21 million salaries and wages for full-time and part-time employees combined to be 41% of the overall budget supplies and operations at 12%, utilities are 10%, capital expenses at 14%.

00:12:17,800	Insurance 12%, contract services at 9% and then we have the other category and making up the balance at 1%. On the revenue side, as far as funding for the general fund, um, 53% is funded by property taxes, state aid provides 7% funding and then we have generated revenues which would be our fees and charges and interest

00:12:36,330	and those types of things at 40%. Overall, for all the funds combined, property taxes are 60%, state aid 5%, and then generated revenues are 34% of the overall budget. The value of the mill, um, did increase about 4.66% over the previous year. Or $23,424.

00:13:05,730	When we look at the overall um local mill levy, so based on the estimated tax statements that were delivered, the, um, county receives 15.6%. The city gets 30.1%. The Park District gets 12.6%, and then the school district comes in at 41.3%. That means that for every dollar of local property taxes levied, the Park district gets 12.6% or 12.6 cents.

00:13:28,400	Of each of those dollars. The overall, um, mill levy for the Park district is estimated to be 32.63 mLs. That is the same mil levy that was levied for the current year. There is no, um proposed increase.

00:13:53,800	When we take a look at what the impact to a property owner is, so based on the city assessor report, the average increase for the valuation for a property within the city of Bismarck was 3%. So once you calculate what that, um, with the evaluation increase, the amount of Park district taxes that uh property owner that owns a property that had the 3% increase they would pay about $14 annually in Park District taxes or just over $1

00:14:15,300	a month. And that again is only if they had a valuation increase. Some additional information that’s included in the budget, as far as compensation, the budget includes implementing the salary study, and that includes a two-step process. The first part of that would be the classification changes and bringing employees up to the minimum.

00:14:42,870	The second would be equity adjustments, and those would be applied based on years of service. We are proposing to add one new full-time employee for 2025 that would bring our full-time equivalents up to 69 for 2025. We did have proposed changes to the seasonal and part-time pay plan, um, changes to the officials.

00:15:04,670	We added a concession coordinator position, and we removed the baseball coaches and officials. We ask that the um, or with the approval of the budget, we would have those, um, youth basketball, um. Official rates effective for the fall of 2024 when those programs. are active.

00:15:28,270	On the fees and charges side, we included the details of those proposed changes are itemized in your agenda packet. They were reviewed in more detail when we went through the budget in at our meetings end of June, beginning of July. Again, the adult and youth basketball, um, rates would be effective when those programs start registration for this fall.

00:15:50,730	On the long-term liability side, we are scheduled to pay off just, uh, over $3.7 million in principle, and we do not have any plans to issue any new debt in 2025. So that concludes the overview. Of my of the 2025 budget before we open it up for the public hearing.

00:16:12,700	Do you have any questions for me? Commissioner’s questions of Cathy before we open it up for public. just not merely the questions, but, but a comment and a note of appreciation. I know the process of gathering, uh, wish lists, talking to user groups looking at strategic plans, looking at surveys from the community all comes together and putting the budget together.

00:16:31,870	So just a thank you to, um, to you, Cathy, for all the number crunching that needs to take place, but also the input from directors and staff to make that happen. I’m also just want to make a comment that I’m pleased that we’re taking the salary study into consideration. I think that’s a very wise thing to do for recruitment and retention.

00:16:46,770	And I also Pleased to see, um, money set aside to address, um, the ADA transition plan. So that some of those things can be, um, Process taken over or improved for our, for our citizens.

00:17:05,230	And then finally, I was happy to see that there’s money set aside for research and development, and I hope that some of that can be used for some facility master planning according to our strategic plan. So most of those are comments, but I just appreciate the work that’s been put together and, and thank you. Other comments from commissioners at this time? Just I, I would echo what the Comm.

00:17:29,470	Redmand has said I, uh, I observed from other entities across the state and in our community that budget hearings don’t always go so smooth. Um, and that’s To be expected when you have many differing opinions, but I appreciate our professionalism of our staff.

00:17:54,130	And fellow commissioners to bring forth your concerns and your input and we move forward with a budget and uh of course once that’s approved, that’s, that’s the budget for the district. So I want to express my thanks to that we, we have a good working relationship. The staff works hard and uh we as commissioners do our part as well to question that.

00:18:12,730	I, I do have a concern and as I think we do across the state, we do have measure 4 on the Ballot and I’m not getting into politics tonight, but I would, you know, make us remindful of that that as that moves forward to the November ballot that is going to how that will impact our budget going forward. So again, I think we’ve done our due diligence by having a good solid budget.

00:18:33,630	No, uh, no mill levy increases we’re living within our means and we’ll see how that, whichever way the budget that ballot goes, I know the legislature will be addressing property tax issues and that will be part of our work for the next year’s budget. Other commissioner’s comments? If not, then we will open the public hearing for the Bark District’s 2025 budget.

00:18:59,230	Comments will be received from the public in 2 parts. First, those in opposition. Or with concerns and those then in support of the budget. It is important that any citizen who testifies this evening if they would please identify themselves for the record.

00:19:22,400	So at this time I would open it up for public input for those in opposition. To the district’s 2025 budget. I will ask again if there is anyone who wishes to speak in opposition to the proposed budget for 2025. Then I will ask for anyone wished to make comments in support. Of the budget for 2025.

00:20:01,700	President Zimmerman and commissioners, um, just a brief comment is, it has always been my experience that the city of Bismarck has always gotten amazing bang for its buck when it comes to the park district. The dollars that are spent within the Park district are, are, in my opinion, managed well and uh uh the programs that are presented are wonderful. So I am in support and I want to thank you.

00:20:22,430	Sir, if you would please identify yourself for the record. I forget the most important part. My name is Mike Schwartz. Thank you, uh, Mr. Schwartz for that comment. Anyone else to wish to support. Excuse me. Anyone else wish to speak in support of the 2025 budget for the district.

00:20:48,170	If not, we will consider the hearing closed at this time and the board will act on the proposed 2025 budget. The steps needed for the approval of the budget are as follows Address any adjustments to the proposed budget. Board approval of the 2nd reading of the budget resolution and mill levy, and then an action to adopt the 2025 operating budget.

00:21:15,300	So again, any adjustments to the budget from commissioners or our executive director, any comments on that? Secondly, then I will ask for a motion to approve the second reading of the budget resolution and mill levy. I’ll make a motion to approve the second reading of the budget resolution in the levy. I’ll second that motion. Motion by Comm.

00:21:38,300	Jesske and seconded by Comm. Herzog to approve second reading of the budget resolution and the mill levy. Julie, if you would call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson Herzog, yes, Redman, Jesske I, President Zimmerman. And finally, a motion to adopt the 2025 operating budget, so move. Motion by Comm. Gilbertson, seconded by Comm.

00:22:06,230	Redman to approve the or adopt, excuse me, the 2025 operating budget, uh, Julie, again, please call the roll. Comm. Gilbertson. Herzog, yes, Redman, Jesske President Zimmerman. Thank you all and again my thanks to our staff, as we’ve all know that we, a lot of work goes into the budget. It seems once it comes up on the screen, it’s.

00:22:31,830	All perfunctory, but a lot of work goes in and again to the commissioners to be professional in our discussions on the budget, so uh we’ll look forward to. Um, carrying out the budget item 6 on the agenda.

00:22:55,170	Is a request authorization for the Satchel Paige recognition and to begin a capital, excuse me, capital campaign with us this evening is a former Comm. Mike Schwartz. He appeared before the board with information about a possible recognition of Satchel Paige at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. The board moved to direct staff to research options to recognize Mr. Page at the ballpark.

00:23:18,170	Mike is appearing before the board tonight to View the option to place a statue at the municipal ballpark and to move forward with raising funds to support this resignation, not recognition. Mr. Schwartz, the floor is yours. Thank you, President Zimmerman, Commissioners, uh, thank you for allowing me to visit with you with you this evening.

00:23:39,300	This is a wonderful opportunity that is very near and dear to my heart. And uh what I’d like to do, just take a minute if we could for Comm. Herzog and Redmond, who are not sitting here back in I think it was April of 2021 when I first came to you and asked for assistance with staff to uh proceed with this project.

00:24:01,970	Um, where it all started was back in, uh, 2012, I believe when we were working on the municipal ballpark project. And um my dad who lived up on my folks who lived up on Riverview Avenue, owned a little house that was supposedly used by Satchel Paige when he lived here back in the 30s, mid-30s and, and

00:24:22,070	played ball. And so my dad always thought it would be very important that uh somehow we recognize Satchel Paige at the ballpark and of course his thoughts were that it should be named or some part of it named after Satchel Paige, so he and I had uh discussions about it as to, um, why that could or

00:24:45,230	could not take place, and of course, as it always happens when you’re trying to raise money for a project, uh, items naming, uh, uh. Naming goes to those that provide the dollars. And so it, it didn’t happen there and he, he, he told me that he understood. Well, things kind of um um.

00:25:06,100	I’m not gonna say went to sleep, but he continued to do his research and, and he worked with uh uh Dennis Boyd, who I’m sure most of you probably know is a local baseball historian, and Tom Dunle, who was writing a book called Colorblind at the time, and uh they all collaborated to put information together in

00:25:26,270	this book. And again, my dad and I had discussions about what Satchel Paige meant to baseball in Bismarck. So back in 20 2020, I think it was in October.

00:25:50,530	He was interviewed by KFYR uh Ryan Farrell, and it was aired and again he talked about his connection to the house to Satchel Paige, and of course none of it is documented. So it’s difficult to pinpoint down other than we know that it that it took place and uh again, he expressed to me his desire to uh want to do something to uh. Put naming rights of some kind with the ballpark.

00:26:14,330	And so after my dad passed away, uh, at the end of 20 in December of 2020, um, I got to think about it and I thought there’s something we can do, and I talked to Randy Beanna at the time, and he said, yeah, he said, let’s let’s talk about it and so that’s when I came to the board and asked for

00:26:30,900	permission to uh proceed. And It seems like a lot of time has passed since then, but there, there’s been a lot of things that have gone on.

00:26:51,700	The comprehensive plan for the ballpark itself has kind of put things on hold and now we’ve come back around to where we can do something and so, uh, executive director Cliff and I have been talking, and what we did, and Kevin was kind enough to put together some information if I can share that with you.

00:27:34,500	Like Like And in looking at this, there’s some information about uh Satchel Paige and just uh an overview of his time in Bismarck, which is good information, and there’s a lot more than uh than this covers. But, uh, what we talked about Randy and, uh, Kevin and I was perhaps a statue at the ballpark uh life-size statue would be a way to commemorate Satchel Page’s presence in the ballpark and uh during his his ball playing years here in Bismarck.

00:27:58,430	So what, what we’ve done is, uh, we’ve got a cost estimate here. Of what it would cost to do it and for the recognition. And then I’m gonna just For those that are watching online, I’m gonna put a picture up here.

00:28:28,930	And just to let you know, this is not the finalized version of what that picture would look like, but it would be something along that line. Uh, we’ve been talking about it and I’m rather fond of a picture of uh of Satchel holding his glove to his chest with a ball in it, uh, looking down and batter, and I thought something like that would really look great uh down at the park, so, um.

00:28:49,700	Kevin and I are working on that and, and hopefully we’ll we’ll come up with something that’s finalized. Uh, the cost estimate is we figure to be around $75,000 I am not asking for any assistance other than matching grants from uh the Park district.

00:29:12,170	It is my feeling that I will be able to raise the necessary funds to uh to do this, and I would certainly like to do it by uh sometime uh next summer if it can be done. So with that in mind, uh, there are two items. First, I, I need authorization to begin.

00:29:30,770	And fundraising And then secondly I need authorization for staff to uh do a call for bids and get the finalized numbers for us. So that’s what I’m asking from you, uh, at this evening’s meeting. And that being said, I would ask if you have any questions for me. Commissioner’s questions for Mr. Schwartz.

00:29:57,030	President Zimmer Vice President Cheske, thank you President Zimmerman, um, Mike, you know, thank you for doing this. I know it’s been a, um, something that’s been on everyone’s mind for a very long time. My, I grew up in Jamestown and my dad talked about Satchel Paige.

00:30:14,670	Um, so I just think this is wonderful that you’re taking this project on and, um, we wish you the, I wish you the best of luck and. Make sure you contact me. Thank you, Comm. Jaske. Other comments? I have just a couple of comments, of course, uh, Mike, I know you’ve been working on this project. I, to me, it’s timely, you know, we have had the uh the uh baseball booster group.

00:30:37,500	I’m not sure if that’s the correct title. You know, what they’ve been in and asked for authorization to raise funding as well for uh the comprehensive plan at the ballpark to me this It’s a good timing to do that, so all the groups are together, not that we place a statue and then a year later we’re looking at

00:30:57,300	moving the statue or something, you know, let’s, let’s all work together on the project. Secondly, I have been in conversation with some local folks and perhaps others are aware of that. The local Bismarck team won a national Negro baseball national championship. And I know there’s been some very, very preliminary discussion of celebrating that event.

00:31:24,030	In Bismarck because of this team was the Bismarck team, and I asked a longtime historian Bennett Kishna, why he wants to do it. It would be the 90th anniversary of this championship. And Bennett was very forthright in saying he wants to do it at 90 because he might not be here in 10 years.

00:31:44,900	But knowing Bennett and some of the other folks, I think again, here’s an opportunity for several groups to collaborate and have a meaningful. Um, Event or celebration that would celebrate work on the ballpark, celebrate Satchel Paige, and as well as the baseball history in North, you know, in the Bismarck area.

00:32:08,370	It just blew me away a couple of years ago when I when I read that they had a baseball team at Fort Abraham Lincoln. You know, in the, in the early days at the fort. I mean, yeah, soldiers played baseball too, so I, great thing for Bismarck. So Mike, I appreciate your, your efforts.

00:32:26,430	I know that you’ll be diligent and raising the money and you’ll work with the staff on what will be appropriate. So, uh, at this time we, uh, Comm. Hezon thanks so much. I think it’s fantastic. We were part of um the Bismarck Historical Society has done things on this.

00:32:44,200	The Humanities Council, so what a great thing to Uh, to recognize. One thing I would just point out if you haven’t done it already, is Bismarck is now a CLG certified local government, to get historic preservation funds from the state of North Dakota, and that’s how they did the.

00:33:01,830	Um, Highland Acres, banners and things like that, so that might be a good resource to tap if you want to uh reach out to the Bismarck Historic Preservation Commission, now the. Might be some cash there, but thank you so much for all the work you’re doing. Comm. Herzog. I’m excited to get moving on this, so I’m looking forward to you to uh Getting OK to move forward.

00:33:23,570	Would you like it in two motions, President Zimmerman. I was just going to ask our executive director Clip Fel if we need two motions, one motion will be sufficient. Comm. Herzog, yeah, uh, uh, I would make a motion to approve authorization for the Satchel Paige recognition and to allow them to begin the capital campaign. Second Motion by Comm. Herzog, seconded by Comm.

00:33:46,670	Redman. Julie, if you’ll call the roll, please. President Zimmerman, may I clarify, does that include calling for bids? Yes, I think that’s what I said, right? Pretty close and, and the call for bids. Perfect. There we go. Thank you. OK, Comm. Gilbertson, Herzog, yes, Redman Jesske President Zimmerman.

00:34:13,770	Again, thank you, Mike, and good luck on the fundraising campaign. President Zimmerman, commissioners, thank you so much. Next item on the agenda is the authorization to call for bids. For Eagle Park Electrical Project operation and our operations director David Mayor has provided a memo outlining this project. David, if you wish to quick or give a brief. Synopsis here and the commissioners have questions.

00:34:42,700	President Zimmerman, Commissioners, thank you. uh, as was stated, we’re looking to move forward with the second phase of electrical improvements up at Eagle Park. Uh, the Eagles Club has, uh, Applied and and received a matching grant for this year.

00:35:05,300	Uh, for a 50/50 grant we’re looking to do 5 additional electrical pedestals up at Eagles Park and uh requesting authorization to call for bids on that. Any questions for David? President Zimmerman and I would move that we approve that request. Motion by Comm. Gilbertson, seconded by Comm. Jeske to approve the request for the call for bids on the Eagle Park Electrical Project. Any further discussion? If not, Julie, you’ll call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson.

00:35:37,570	Herzog, yes, Redman. Jesske President Zimmerman. Next item, we go from parks, campgrounds to soccer. Uh, we have, uh, facilities and oh boy. Facilities and programs Director Mike Wall will review in closed bid information on purchasing some soccer goals. Good evening, Mike.

00:36:06,970	Good evening, President Zimmerman and commissioners on August 20th, uh, staff open bids for 16 soccer goals. This is part of the 24, um, matching grant project, um, staff recommends awarding the bid to game one, the apparent little bidder, um. Who has met all specifications in the amount of $18,000. Any questions? Comm. Gilbertson, Mike, does that 18,000s that fall within what The What it was, uh, President Zimmerman, Comm.

00:36:39,030	Gilbertson, yes, um, actually it’s lower, um, the initial estimate that was um presented at the interview for the matching grant was $24,000. So, yeah, considerably lower. Mike is game one just local company. President Zimmerman, commissioners, yes. Thank you. Uh, before we So we motion yet.

00:37:10,530	I’ll make a motion though that we approve the, uh, Um, bids from game one in the amount of $18,000 for, um, Soccer goals. 22nd. Motion by Comm. Jesske, seconded by Comm. Redman. Julie, if you’ll call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson. Herzog, yes, Redman. Jesske Zimmerman Mike, I was hoping you wouldn’t leave the.

00:37:42,470	I just wanted to, uh, recognize publicly that Mike just finished his term as president of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Association. So congratulations, Mike, President Gilbert and commissioners, thank you. All right, awesome. The next item on the agenda is appointment of a board member to the Bismarck Renaissance Zone Committee.

00:38:06,700	Um, I would ask our executive director Clipfeld to give us a Brief of how we got to this point. President Zamer and Comm., so if you remember that uh the uh the county had requested that the city look at the Renaissance Zone committee, uh, when they wanted to go back for approval of that process.

00:38:28,430	They wanted to change the process up a little bit and they wanted all the political subdivisions to have representation on the Renaissance Zone committee and so, um, the board approved moving forward with that and with the understanding that they would appoint our the park board would appoint a Comm. to sit on that. Renaissance zone committee, uh, before their meeting that are going to begin in the beginning of 2025. Thank you.

00:38:50,300	I will open it up for discussion or a motion to appoint a member. Comm. Redman, President Zimmerman, I would make a motion to appoint Comm. Kate Herzog to the Renaissance Zone Committee and represent the Park district in that capacity. Second, I’ll second that motion. Motion by Comm. Redmond, seconded by Comm. Jeske. Any further discussion? Go ahead. President, uh, Comm.. Comm. Gilbertson.

00:39:26,130	I’m just curious, Comm. Herz likeg do you think with your position with the downtown GC any conflicts there or Zimmerman, Comm., I did reach out to um Jim Christensen, who’s the chair of the Renaissance Zone Authority. He didn’t have uh any issues with that, so I think we would be OK.

00:39:50,130	I don’t have a financial interest as I told President Zimmerman I probably cost me money to be a part of it, so, um, but if, you know, um, if something comes up, I’d be happy to let the board know and and And go from there, but they did just get renewed for 5 years, so it should go.

00:40:08,370	More smoothly, um, for the next 55 years. Oh Comm. Jesske. You know, I, I will echo, thank you, President Zimmer. I will echo some of my concerns about a conflict of interest, but I’m assuming that Kate isn’t a professional and she can put her parkboard hat on when she is representing and understand that her interest when she is attending there as a

00:40:30,100	representative of the Park district is solely for the Park district and should not involve anything related to the downtownner. Yep. Again, commissioners, as president of the board, I just, I want to make the statement that I appreciate good, honest, open discussions. That we have those discussions as a board. And we are all professional in this.

00:40:53,030	I’m not trying to make anything big of the deal nor or light of it. I, I can see the Renaissance zone if they do their due diligence, there could be some projects that, you know, will they will seek park board authority, and I have full confidence that Comm.

00:41:10,530	Herzog will bring that back to the board. And we can have that discussion then on any project that would involve the Park district. So, uh, no further discussion, I would ask Julie to. Yes, I’m more, I guess I’m looking at our legal counsel and I’m wondering if he feels that there’s any potential conflict of interest.

00:41:34,270	John, Uh, President Zimmerman and commissioners, you know, I haven’t looked into the issue at this point, you know, typically I believe that the way that the law has been interpreted in North Dakota is if there is not a financial interest for that person that it’s not, not a conflict of interest. I think typically, you know, we have several.

00:41:52,300	Um, organizations that we work with in different capacities where members may serve on various nonprofit boards or different entities, so I really don’t think that this would be anything different than that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, John. If I may, President Zimmerman, since this board has approved the renewal and approved the program.

00:42:15,330	I I assume that we are supportive of it at that board as well. So that is what I would do as the representative here is take that support that you all have already given to the city and make sure that we support smart projects there. Good enough for me.

00:42:35,600	All right, uh Julie, if you’ll call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson. Herzog, yes. Redman, Jesske. President Zimmerman, Again, thank you for uh good open discussion. Item 10 is the consent agenda and allow me to read through that. A a variety of items have been placed in a consent agenda.

00:43:04,030	The consent to gender can be approved with one motion or an item or items can be removed for additional discussion and separate action. Staff recommends approval of the following items. Consideration of the August 15, 2024 board minute meetings. Board authorization to request qualifications for engineering, architect, and planning services. This project is completed every 2 years and the staff is requesting authorization to request qualifications again for the years 2025 and 26.

00:43:35,370	The Park District seeks qualifications from engineering, architect and planning firms. These qualifications are reviewed and the park board approves a group that can be used for the next 2 years. Consulting firms can be added to this list at any time during the two years by submitting their qualifications for consideration and approval by the park board.

00:43:58,900	Also, a request for board consideration of concession extensions and addendums for the following. Programs and uh facilities director Mike Wald provided the memos and addendums for your consideration in the dairy barn concessionaire at the Cottonwood Soccer Complex. And green food to go vending machines throughout the district uh facilities.

00:44:25,700	Lastly, authorization to apply for the following grants and a memo in our packet provided by operations director David Mayor. One is the North Dakota Department of Transportation, transportation alternatives grant. In North Dakota Department of Transportation Special Road Fund program. And America the beautiful forestry ground. Any of those items that the Comm. would wish to have uh removed for further discussion.

00:44:55,500	President Zimmerman, I move for approval of the consent agenda as presented. Is there a second? Motion by Comm. Gilbertson, seconded by Comm. Jeske for approval of the consent agenda as presented. Any further discussion? Now I’ll ask Julie to call the roll please, Comm. Gilbertson Herzog, yes, Redman Jesske President Zimmerman.

00:45:26,600	Any further discussions, any other items to be brought forth to the board? Don’t we have to approve the bills? Motion to approve the bills, I’m sorry, item 11 motion to approval of the bills, so. Motion by Comm. Gilbertson, seconded by Comm. Redmond for approval of the bills. All in favor of Julie called the roll. Comm. Gilbertson. Herzog, yes, Redmond. Comm. Redmond, I.

00:46:00,630	President Zimmerman. I All right, uh, that concludes our board meeting for this evening. Our next regularly scheduled board meeting is October 17, 2024, 5:15 in the one and only Tom Baker meeting room. Meeting adjourned.

00:46:28,470	Did I miss something executive session, item number 12, so we need to clean the room for the executive right at the top of that sheet. Oh. Excuse me, I Do we need to make a motion to go into executive we’ll back it up here. Thank you. Yeah, why didn’t it didn’t print off? All right, we are going to uh.

00:46:53,500	The Board will go into executive session under the authority of the North Dakota Century Code, Section 4404 19.1 and 440419.2 for attorney consultation with the board’s attorney and to discuss contract negotiations for sale of Hay Creek lots. Our legal counsel John Ward will review the process. And the board can then proceed with the executive session. Attorney John. Yes, uh, President Zimmerman, I guess we’re gonna clear the room here.