Park Board Moving Forward On Disc Golf Course

The Trenton Park Board moved forward with the establishment of a disc golf course by accepting bids for the project during the board’s regular monthly meeting held Wednesday evening. Board members also discussed issues with the Trenton Family Aquatic Center and accepted a donation during the meeting.
On a 7-2 vote the board accepted a bid of $10,232.79 from Disc Golf Association for 19 powdercoated baskets, 18 tee sign fames and other needed equipment for the course, which will be installed at Moberly Park. The cost of the equipment, the need for powdercoating and whether or not concrete tee boxes are needed were discussed prior to a vote being taken. A fundraising effort spearheaded by former Second Ward Councilman Mark Robinson has raised enough private money to pay for 17 1/2 holes ($400 per hole not including the cost of concrete). The board will continue discussing the issue of concrete tee boxes but felt the baskets should get ordered and the project moving. Those voting in favor were Don Altes, Gary Berry, Duane Helmandollar, Daniel Gott, Andy Cox, Gary Schuett and Curtis Crawford, while Kari Whitaker and Sarah Allen voted no. Mrs. Allen indicated she didn’t believe the cost of the powdercoating, around $1,200, is justified. Mrs. Whitaker did not indicate why she was opposed.
The board opened bids for a security system at the Trenton Family Aquatic Center, but voted to table the bids to have a chance to review them. Loud and Clear Communications of Trenton submitted two bids, a “good” bid of $6,438.92 and a “best” bid of $7,417.92. Midwest Digital Systems of Lawson also submitted two bids, a “good” bid of $6,998 and a “best” bid of $9,989. A bid was accepted for a 50-foot flag pole for Moberly Park. Action Flag Company of Woodridge, IL, submitted the low bid of $3,509 for the pole. One other bid, for $3,989, was submitted by Conserve Flag Company of Sidney, NE.
The board elected officers, with Don Altes being re-elected as president, Duane Helmandollar being re-elected as vice president and Vicki Weaver, who is employed as secretary, retaining that position.
In other business, the board heard an explanation of why the baby pool at the aquatic center has been closed (see accompanying story) and accepted a $3,000 donation from Dr. Nick and Cheri McHargue to be used to renovate the restrooms at the Rock Barn. The couple organizes the annual Gooseberry Festival, held the third weekend of June, and Dr. McHargue said he hopes other organizations that use the Rock Barn area will make donations to the project. He sought and received permission to hold the festival again on the third weekend of June 2016.
Rick Hall of the North Central Missouri Fair Board received approval for the board to use the fairgrounds from July 20-Aug. 7 for the fair. He told board members that the fair board is planning a Teen Super Farmer contest on July 29, with the profit from the event to be earmarked for the restroom renovation project.
Board members were reminded that all committee meetings must be announced and minutes taken.
In his report, Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said Trey Webb recently completed an Eagle Scout project that involved power-washing and staining the dugouts at Lower Moberly Ballfield. He updated the board on baseball and softball games played through TBA, the Bethany League and the Chariton Valley League and said the competitive and recreational softball leagues will begin games on July 6 and continue through Aug. 15 at which time the Trenton High School and Trenton Middle School teams, as well as the North Central Missouri College teams, will begin playing. Berry told the board that the TBA season went fine and asked that any meetings of the Trenton Ballfields Rules and Regulations Committee be publicized. No meetings have been held yet.
Shuler reported on the recent Mudcats ballgame that was held at Burleigh Grimes Field and said the shop area has been surveyed as concrete work is beginning on the shop addition. He and Assistant Superintendent Don Kennedy were thanked by Mrs. Allen for keeping the soccer fields in good shape for the Trenton Soccer Stars season, which ended last Sunday.
Shuler was given approval to purchase two low profile hinged bollards that will be placed in the center of the Moberly Park road, at places where traffic is stopped at the top and bottom. The total cost for both 30-inch tall bollards is $1,230 including shipping and handling. Two regular bollards will be placed on either side of the hinged bollard. The bollards are being purchased from TrafficGuard Direct in Geneva, IL and will allow for access to the roadway when needed for maintenance issues, etc.
The board held a closed session to discuss personnel, with no announcement made.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5.