Julie Fornshell

The board discussed and took action on several key items, including the acceptance of bids for the Tom O'Leary tennis court replacement and resurfacing projects, and the installation of a vault toilet and storage shed at designated park facilities. Fertilizer awards were rescinded and re-awarded to a new supplier due to pricing errors. The board approved recommendations for round one matching grant applications for various community projects and authorized the Executive Director to attend a hearing regarding the Burleigh County withdrawal from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. Additionally, the board approved records disposal, consultant agreements, grant applications, and the payment of bills. An executive session was held to discuss confidential Executive Director applications, followed by a decision to continue advertising the position with updated requirements.

The meeting focused on the strategic planning session for the years 2027-2029, which was conducted by a representative from Emergent Strategies Group.

The meeting included several updates and approvals. Updates were provided on the Bavendick Center construction project and the South Bismarck Flood Control Project. The calendar of events for the upcoming Flurry Fest was reviewed. The Board approved a bid from Spiffy Biffs for portable toilet servicing covering February 2026 through December 2027. Following a review of maintenance equipment that did not meet minimum specifications from a prior meeting, the Board rejected bids from Van Wall Equipment for a fairway mower and bunker rake, accepting bids from MTI for the mower and Turfwerks for the rake instead. The consent agenda was approved, excluding the designation of bank depositories, which was approved separately after one commissioner abstained. Finally, the Board approved bills for payment.

The Board of Park Commissioners reviewed and approved the agenda. Bids were reviewed and approved for the Administrative Office Lobby Renovation Project. The Board approved bids for 2026 equipment purchases, including mowers, a utility tractor, a compact track loader, and grinders. Low bids for 2026 fertilizer from three different suppliers were approved. Several fund transfers were authorized from the general fund to the park improvement fund, including funds for a pickup truck, RV Electrical Upgrades Phase II, and to replace the wave pool mechanical mechanism. The consent agenda, excluding the Missouri Valley Complex garden plot item, was approved. The request concerning the Missouri Valley Complex garden plots was subsequently approved after discussion. The Board also reviewed comments from the Executive Director's annual review and acknowledged his upcoming retirement, scheduling a special meeting to discuss filling the position. Finally, bills for payment were approved.

The special meeting addressed the process for filling the executive director's position. Following legal counsel's input, the Board moved to utilize existing staff and legal counsel to manage the hiring process rather than engaging executive placement services. A detailed timeline for the hiring process, extending through March 2026, was adopted by the Board. Furthermore, the Board formally approved an annual hiring compensation range of $132,285 to $198,427 for the position.