09-24-2018 Minutes CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 24, 2018
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on September 24, 2018.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Kyle Kaczmarek, Park Board Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members: Emma Figgins, Kyle Kaczmarek and Mohamed Warsame. Absent
were Caroline Rinker and Laura Santiago. Also present was Steve Stadler, PW Director/Park Board
City staff liaison.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the July 23, 2018 Park Board Meeting:
Emma Figgins made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mohamed Warsame. The motion
passed with a 3-0 vote.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Park Board Updates:
Stadler reported that the 2018 park improvement projects are all substantially completed. These
included: Burnes Park Improvements, Elmo Park play equipment, Park Valley play equipment,
Central Park Pickleball courts and the Addition/Remodel of the Hopkins Pavilion. The Pickleball
grand opening event was rescheduled due to rain to 5 pm Wednesday, Sept 26. The Pavilion
grand re-opening event is at noon on Saturday, Sept 29.
B. Oakes Park Cricket field: 4 a q
After a brief discussion it was a consensus that before any park modifications could be
considered at Oakes Park or any other park that more information is required on the need for
enhancing an area specifically for cricket play, including if there would be any organized play,or
who would be using the field. This past year has been silent as far as any cricket play in our
parks and we have not been successful in reaching out to past users. City staff will proceed with
a city-wide survey of interest via a Survey Monkey this fall/winter.
C Park Improvement Funding Status—Central Park—upcoming park CIP projects
Steve Stadler reported that negotiations had not yet begun with the developer and Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District(the site owner) on the financial specifics of the Cold Storage site
redevelopment from which the Park Improvement Fund is currently showing a revenue of
$750,000 in park dedication fee. The Park Board then considered several different scenarios
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regarding Park Fund revenue and future projects. After the review and discussion, it was clear to
the Park Board that the Park Improvement Fund very much needs the$750,000 infusion of
revenue from the Cold Storage site redevelopment in order to keep the scheduled and needed
park improvements in the capital plan. Additionally, in order to ensure a prudent, conservative
approach given the unknowns in expected revenue the Park Board decided to reduce the
projected 2019 dedication fee from $750,000 to $400,000 and also reduce the scope and
estimated cost of the planned 2021 Central Park improvement project from $1.3 million to
$700,000. Steve Stadler stated that he would continue to advocate for the maximum possible fee
from this large redevelopment project, which includes 465 new dwelling units. It is anticipated
that the fee will be determined within the next six months. After which, the Park Board will
again review, if needed, the Central Park project scope and the possibility of phasing the work
along with the other park system capital needs to ensure a healthy, sustainable Park Improvement
Fund. Stadler stated that the planned 2019 park lighting upgrade project was proceeding but that
he had pulled the Hilltop Park lighting from the project in order to reduce costs. The project will
upgrade the park lighting at the Valley Park, Interlachen Park and Harley Hopkins Park.
C. Other topics of interest
Steve Stadler briefed the Park Board members regarding the Bellgrove Neighborhood
Association's consideration of possibly converting an outlot along Hopkins Crossroad into a
neighborhood park. The association will contact the City to discuss if they choose to pursue the
matter.
Stadler also briefed the members on the upcoming City Hall Renovation project and the need to
move the Park Board meetings to the Fire Station during the construction, estimated as January
2019—August 2019.
Kyle Kaczmarek asked about the status of the Shady Oak Beach monument sign and landscape
work that is a 2018 CIP project. Steve Stadler will check on the status of the 2018 and 2019
projects and report at the next meeting.
D. Park Area Assignment Report—no park assignment reports this meeting.
Kyle Kaczmarek: Cottageville Park, Oakes Park, Hiawatha Oaks Preserve—nothing to report
(NTR)
Emma Figgins: Maetzold Field, Elmo Park, Hilltop Park, Minnehaha Creek Preserve—
Emma reports a problem with the Elmo Park address shown on the City
website when accessed via her mobile device. Requested a refuse container
be placed near the picnic table at Minnehaha Creek Preserve.
Caroline Rinker: Central Park, Downtown Park, Shady Oak Beach—Absent.
Mohamed Warsame: Buffer Park, Park Valley Playground,Valley Park, Steiner Park Preserve—
Nothing to report.
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Laura Santiago: Burnes Park, Harley Hopkins Park, Interlachen Park—absent.
V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
The next regular Park Board Meeting is 6:30 pm on Monday, October 22, 2018.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Emma Figgins moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mohamed Warsame. The motion passed 3-
0. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 m.
Attest:
n
Chairperson