Members of the Trenton Park Board continued a discussion of how the board will contribute toward the recently-purchased portable bleachers and heard a request from two entities to consider a plan to sell the Johnson and Griffin ballfields.
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In discussing the portable bleachers, board members said they feel that the amount of “in-kind” labor that has been and will continue to be provided by the park department is worth a lot and is not being appreciated by the city council and others involved in the project. Mitch Dougan noted that the city has already provided funding, so if the park board puts money into it the city taxpayers are actually being hit twice. He said that when the school district provides funding for a project, they don’t say “now how much is the middle school going to give?”.
Trenton Community Developer Ralph Boots said that a total of $36,000 has been donated toward the project from the city, Grundy County, North Central Missouri College and Trenton Township. In addition, the city council will be considering a $10,000 investment from the Trenton R-9 School District and a $7,500 investment over a five-year period from the Trenton Lions Club. Both groups have offered the funds with conditions that will need approval from the council (see Economic Development story on this page). In addition, the North Central Missouri Fair Board has pledged $5,000 over a five-year period toward the cost of the bleachers. If all of those funds come through, Boots said there should be a surplus of $10,000 at the end of five years, assuming no unforeseen expenses are incurred.
Board members agreed to try to come up with a dollar figure for the work the park department has done and will continue to be required to do, such as moving and maintaining the bleachers. Park Superintendent Jason Shuler will try to have those figures by the September meeting.
The board was presented with a letter signed by North Central Missouri College President Dr. Neil Nuttall and Trenton R-9 Superintendent Becky Albrecht. The letter asks the city council and park board to consider a partnership in which NCMC and the R-9 District would take ownership of the Griffin and Johnson ballfields and develop them into competitive fields capable of “fully supporting high school and collegiate sports.” The board would be compensated for the fields and would develop new fields that would be used for TBA, church league, competitive league, etc. Board members took no action on the proposal, which will be presented to the city council on Monday.
As part of his report, Shuler said the oldest shelter house at Eastside Park had been moved to allow for a new concrete pad and 15-foot apron added. The shelter house was anchored in place and new trash can containments are being rebuilt. Shuler thanked Trenton Municipal Utilities employees for their help on the project, as well as thanking Randy Young and his staff from NCMC for helping construct a new batting cage at Burleigh Grimes Field.
In other business, the board:
• organized standing committees as follows: Pool – Duane Helmandollar, Marti Williams and Mike Burchett; Grounds – Steve Perry, Gary Berry, Don Altes; and Finance – Kari Whitaker, Paul Bruinsma and Dougan.
• heard a brief report on activities of the Recreation Committee, which noted that the city’s insurance will cover events and activities that are held off city property.
• learned that the Moberly Park Tennis Court Fundraising Committee has been assured that any donations to the project are tax deductible and that potential donors are being identified.
• discussed ways to alleviate the problem of bicyclists scaring and nearly running over walkers on the walking trail. Those utilizing the trail for bike riding are asked to be considerate of those who are walking and to alert walkers of their presence.
• agreed to determine what the rental cost would be for Troy Williams to hold an ATV race at the grandstand in October. Boots said Williams is trying to get a “mini-circuit” going of three locations. The finance committee will determine the rental cost and report at the September meeting.
• learned that the metal “jersey” of Jerry Lafferty will be installed at Burleigh Grimes Field today.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3.