The Trenton Park Board met Wednesday evening, discussing the need for additional storage at Burleigh Grimes Field, the park department’s tree plan and the possibility of increasing admission prices at the aquatic center.
Board members Curtis Crawford and Josh Lisle led the discussion concerning the need for additional storage for equipment at Burleigh Grimes Field, where Trenton High School, American Legion and North Central Missouri College play their baseball games. It was determined that any building constructed will need to have a garage door to secure an all-terrain vehicle used on the field and should have separate spaces for each entity to store equipment. The board agreed that a location and size of the building should be determined and Park Superintendent Jason Shuler will get an estimate of what it would cost to construct it. It was agreed that entities that use that field should be asked to cost-share the construction of the building.
Shuler shared that he received a bid from Siteone Landscaping Supply for container trees to be placed in the park system to replace those that have recently been cut down. While no total was presented at the meeting and the bid was tabled, Shuler said prices varied by species and most were in the $86 to $103 price range. No bids were received for bare root trees. Shuler said the bid will be used to help apply for a TRIM Grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Shuler will research bare root trees and said he can get most species for $2 to $4, although some are $11 to $12. Some can grow up to two feet in a year and this is seen as a more economical way to replace trees in the park system.
In discussing the tree plan and the recent removal of trees, Shuler said he hopes the public understands that the trees that are being removed are ones that are at the end of their life span and many are hollow. He said they are being removed before they become a hazard.
The board met with Trenton Family Aquatic Center Manager Alexis Whitney, who said she wanted to touch base with the board on several issues, including the need to look at increasing admission and pool party prices. The Pool Committee will be surveying area cities to see what their prices are this year and then meet to set prices. Ms. Whitney reminded the board that the sound system needs repair, with Board President Duane Helmandollar saying someone has been contacted to take a look at it. Shuler also said the diving boards have been sandblasted and repainted.
In his report, Shuler said work is continuing on the shop building addition as time allows. He also discussed preparations for the upcoming ball seasons and upcoming conferences and training events he will be attending.
The board held a budget committee meeting prior to the regular meeting and will continue its work on the 2017-2018 budget. No specifics were discussed, but Helmandollar said there will be improvements throughout the park system in an effort to “try to make everything look a little better.”
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 at city hall.
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