Final planning and preparations for the July 4 celebration were discussed during the June 18 meeting of the Gallatin Park Board. Three bounce houses will be available for children and many other activities provided by the military including the Army climbing wall, Marine pull-up challenge, and Air Force mini-jet starting a 5 p.m. The format for the 8:30 p.m. program will be slightly different this year. The stage will be moved forward on the upper ball field and seating arrangements will be provided to allow for attendees to be closer to the stage. The board will purchase 100 new chairs for the event and then retain the chairs for future use at the park. An additional $200 was approved for radio promotion and advertising.
In other business, feedback from concerned citizens was heard regarding the daily hookup fees recently passed by the park board. (The park has passed a motion to charge $25 per day and a $200 budget for the initial set up of a collection box.) After discussion, the board decided to amend the policy. The board proposed accepting free will donations at the park for RV campers with some additional rules for a two-week maximum length of stay and quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The board will continue to work with the city to cooperate on how best to implement the recommendations and changes.
Whitney Griffin and Ben Hacking addressed the board with concerns regarding the youth soccer program at Dockery Park. Concerns were in regards to the current state of some of the soccer equipment and communication issues with park staff and board. After noting that all concerns regarding sports programs should first be brought to the attention of the ball coordinator Bob Robertson, the board agreed to: 1. Ask Mr. Robertson to institute a policy regarding background checks on coaches and other volunteers in the sports programs. 2. Furnish feedback forms to coaches so the board can remain well informed on satisfaction levels of coaches in the sports programs. 3. Ask Mr. Robertson to plan to give a report at each regularly scheduled park board meeting.
Bills in the amount of $3,689.74 were approved for payment.
An update was given on recent improvements at the park, including painted floors in the restrooms at the upper ball field and newly painted exterior of the park shelter house.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the Gallatin Park Board held on June 18.
Board members present were Tim Tadlock, Sally Black, Joseph Billings, Jon Thomas, David Marble, Jack Hennen, and Jeremy Dungy. Guests present were Ben Hacking and Whitney Griffin.
