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2003 CITY OF HOPKINS PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on September 15, 2003. I. CALL TO ORDER Staff Liaison Ray Vogtman called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present were Park Board members: Richard Niemann, Dave Specken, Katie Boarder and Ron Helgeson. Absent was Park Board Member Alice Olson. Also present was Hopkins staff liaison Ray Vogtman. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JULY 28, 2003 B. Specken moved and K. Boarder seconded a motion to approve the minutes for the July 28, 2003 meeting. On the vote: R. Niemann, K. Boarder, D. Specken, and R. Helgeson voted yes. The minutes were approved 4- . 0. IV. BUSINESS • A. MAETZOLD FIELD #3 Ron Schwartz from the Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation Services (HMRS) was present to discuss the report on Maetzold Field #3. The Hopkins-Minnetonka Babe Ruth organization has previously requested permission to use Maetzold Field #3 for the 13 year old baseball teams. Past use of Maetzold Field#3 by the HMRS was for 12 coed adult softball teams from mid-April through mid-August on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. HMRS is also expecting to lose another 8-team softball site at the Hopkins High School in 2004. As a result, HMRS was hoping to possibly expand the use at Maetzold #3. R. Schwartz reviewed the possible alternative sites within the City of Hopkins' Park system. Field distance measurements were generally negative and turf quality is poor. R. Schwartz also reviewed the revenues generated from adult softball. These revenues support other HMRS non-revenue programs. If Maetzold #3 were lost, other non-softball programs would also suffer. Paul Stearns, President of the Hopkins-Minnetonka Babe Ruth (HMBR) and Steve Hacker, representing the Hopkins-Minnetonka Babe Ruth were present to discuss the need for and the positive attributes of converting Maetzold Field #3 to a baseball field. The HMBR is willing to make field improvements and is willing to purchase a temporary pitching mound. Although weekends at Maetzold Field #4 would help, the desirable days would be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Park Board Members discussed the reports submitted by both organizations and had several follow-up questions. K. Boarder moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to recommend to Council that Maetzold Field #3 remain a multi-purpose athletic field with additional consideration given to the HMBR organization on scheduling of open dates. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, R. Helgeson • and K. Boarder voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. City of Hopkins Park Board Meeting Minutes .September 15,2003 Page 2 of 3 B. FIRST TIER TRAIL CORRIDOR Boe Carlson, Trails Coordinator with the Three Rivers Park District and Alan Palmer, P.E., Senior Transportation Engineer with Stanley Consultants, Inc. were present to discuss the First Tier Trail Master Plans. A part of the process is to have Park District staff collaborate with each City to analyze trail alignment options, identify required approvals, and finalize necessary support from each City. Subsequently, the Park District will forward the master plans to the Metropolitan Council for adoption. After a review of the trail plan as it affects Hopkins, a motion was made by D. Specken and seconded by K. Boarder to recommend to Council that the First Tier Trail Corridor concept for the Richfield-Edina-Hopkins trail be supported. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, K. Boarder and R. Helgeson voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. • C. WINTER TRAIL ACTIVITIES PERMIT Staff liaison R. Vogtman reviewed the winter trail permit with Three Rivers Park District. It was determined that snow removal and miscellaneous trail maintenance would not place an undue burden on City maintenance staff. R. Vogtman explained that trail maintenance was performed as time permitted, not on the actual day of snow events. R. Helgeson moved and K. Boarder seconded a motion recommending to Council that Resolution 2003-083 be approved permitting • winter use of the regional trails for activities such as hiking, biking and pet walking. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, K. Boarder and R. Helgeson voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. D. DOWNTOWN PARK UPDATE Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated the Park Board members on the remaining work schedule for completion of the improvements for Downtown Park. Cement work and paver bricks will be completed by October 1, 2003. Benches will then be installed by City crews. A performance stage and bench dedication party is planned for the second week in October. No further action was required. E. WHIFFLE GOLF LETTER The Park Board reviewed the August 7, 2003 letter to C. Kroneman. No further action was necessary. F. PERFORMANCE STAGE USES It was determined that this item could be on future agendas of the Park Board. The uses should be determined before Spring, 2004 requests arrive. This will be placed on the November 17, 2003 agenda. No further action was required. • G. ARCHERY RANGE AT VALLEY PARK R. Niemann presented an archery use survey. Park Board members monitored the archery range on 41 of 48 days from August 6 to September 22. There were 76 observations over this time City of Hopkins Park Board Meeting Minutes September 15,2003 *Page 3 of 3 frame. It was discussed that this fall time frame may be the peak usage period for the archers in preparation for the fall bow-hunting season. A petition signed by 67 residents in support of a dog park at the archery range was submitted for the minutes. A motion was made by K. Boarder and seconded by R. Helgeson recommending to Council that City staff explore the feasibility of making the archery range into a fenced community dog park. On the vote: R. Niemann, K. Boarder, R. Helgeson and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. H. PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS None reported. I. PARKS UPDATE • Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated Park Board members on the Public Works building and miscellaneous park tasks. It was noted that a few complaints have been received about radio- controlled cars using the Burnes Park ball diamond. J. HOPKINS-MINNETONKA RECREATION BOARD The last meeting was held on September 10, 2003 •V. NEW BUSINESS None noted. VI. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING November 17, 2003 6:30 P.M. City Council Chambers VII. ADJOURNMENT D. Specken moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to adjourn. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, K. Boarder and R. Helgeson voted yes. The motion was approved 4- 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Attest: 17:SAIL,. --,,.r.,�- - R. Nie a , Chairperson II CITY OF HOPKINS PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 2003 • A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on November 17, 2003. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Richard Niemann called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present were Park Board members: Richard Niemann, Katie Boarder, Dave Specken and Ron Helgeson. Absent was Park Board Member Alice Olson. It was noted that A. Olson has moved out of Hopkins and will no , longer be a member of the Hopkins Park Board. Also present was Hopkins staff liaison Ray Vogtman. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 4 D. Specken moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to approve the minutes for the September 15, 2003 meeting. On the vote: R. Niemann, K. Boarder, D. Specken, and R. Helgeson voted yes. The minutes were approved 4-0. IV. BUSINESS A. PERFORMANCE STAGE OPERATING POLICY The Board members reviewed the existing facility policies from the Art Center, Maetzold Field, Pavilion and the HMRS. After discussion it was agreed that the current 2003 HMRS Picnic Information Guide and application handout best met the needs for the anticipated uses of the Performance Stage at Downtown Park. User groups expected to want to reserve the park are as follows: Music in the Park, Shakespeare in the Park, weddings, Raspberry events and Veteran's Day observances. It was discussed that the 2003 HMRS picnic information guide be updated to include the Downtown Park Performance Stage information. Park Board members made suggested changes to the application. These changes are to be recommended to the HMRS staff for inclusion in the new 2004 application. It was also agreed that the current alcohol permit be utilized for Downtown Park. The board members also felt that the HMRS should handle reservations for all Hopkins' parks with shelters in addition to Burnes, Valley and Central. Reservations should also be accepted for Oakes, Maetzold and Shady Oak Beach. No further action was taken. B. VALLEY PARK DOG PARK The Board members discussed the pros and cons for using the current archery range at Valley Park for the site of a fenced dog park. The members would like to have City staff prepare a cost analysis for moving ahead with such a plan. Costs should include removal of existing signs, markers and archery butts; costs for new fencing, signs and any miscellaneous items such as refuse cans and picnic tables. It was also requested that an aerial photo showing the City 41110 ownership of Valley Park be attached to the report. This report should be available with the January 26, 2004 agenda. A public informational meeting was also considered as an important step in the process of changing the use from the archery range to a dog park. No further action was taken. City of Hopkins Park Board Meeting Minutes November 17, 2003 Page 2 of 2 • C. DOWNTOWN PARK Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated the Board members on the progress of the park redevelopment. The stage, pavers, sidewalks and benches are now all installed. A few benches remain to be ordered to complete the project. Spring landscaping is all that will be necessary before a planned spring grand reopening party. No further action was taken. D. PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORT No concerns were reported. E. PARKS UPDATE Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated Park Board members on staffing levels and service for winter rink maintenance. It is proposed to have no rinks at Central Park for the 2003-2004 winter season. The ongoing construction for the public works/fire station projects will not have a site for either an open rink or hockey rink completed until spring of 2004. R. Vogtman explained how additional manpower has been allocated to snow removal on streets and parking lots during snow emergencies. The resulting loss of personnel for snow removal on sidewalks, trails and rinks results in staff recommendations to close two additional hockey rink locations at Interlachen and Burnes. These two rinks are portable and require the greatest amount of labor. Residents of • Interlachen Park neighborhood are organizing to install and maintain the hockey rink there. It is anticipated that pleasure skating (open) rinks will be maintained at Interlachen, Harley Hopkins, Valley, Oakes, Burnes and Hilltop by City staff. F. HOPKINS-MINNETONKA RECREATION BOARD The last meeting was held on September 10, 2003 V. NEW BUSINESS None noted. VI. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING January 26, 2004 6:30 P.M. City Council Chambers VII. ADJOURNMENT K. Boarder moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to adjourn. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, K. Boarder and R. Hel:eson vote. yes. The motion was approved 4- 0. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. •Attest: ►/ r� . Niem :•..-