01-14-2019 Minutes CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 14, 2019
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on January 14, 2019 at the Fire Station.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Kyle Kaczmarek, Park Board Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 6:38 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members Emma Figgins, Kyle Kaczmarek and Mohamed Warsame. Laura
Santiago arrived at 6:45 pm. Absent was Caroline Rinker. Also present was Steve Stadler, PW
Director/Park Board City staff liaison.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the December 17, 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. Downtown Park Rehab Project—Concept Design presentation:
City consulting landscape engineer Roland Aberg, Hart-Howerton, presented concept plans and
images to show potential rehabilitation options for the city's only downtown urban park. Park
elements presented and discussed included: trees, plant materials; benches; park boundary areas;
park entrances from the avenues; lighting; a four season presence, celebrations, events; a toddler
play area; lighted wind sculptures; and bandshell backside panels upgrade. There was mention
made of the need to acceptably transition from the current memorial benches. There was
discussion regarding the adjacent city parking lot 300 and the possibility of a future
redevelopment of this parking lot into residential units related to the ArtsSpace downtown
initiative—it was added that the ArtsSpace initiative is in the very early stages with much more
consideration/discussions needed on options and even whether or not it will proceed. Also, it
was mentioned that the Farmer's Market site may move from parking lot 300 to the Artery area
at some point in the future. Stadler mentioned that the Board needs to carefully consider what
projects will be funded in the near future, especially given the current uncertainty of park
dedication fee revenues. This project and the others in the current 5-year CIP will be discussed
further at the February meeting. The Park Board was very supportive of the ideas presented for
upgrading the function and appearance of Downtown Park.
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B. "Gateway Park" concept and funding:
Roland Aberg also presented concept level sketches and images of a potential new park area on
the HCRRA property at the NW corner area of the 6th Ave/Mainstreet intersection. This area is
currently just an old asphalt paved area with some upgrades on the adjacent townhome
development site. Roland presented a plan that would transform this area into a community
gathering/walkway area with Hopkins history depicted on sign panels integral with a border fence,
other distinctive upgrades and additional plantings. There were features, including Mainstreet
bumpouts, which would create a gateway appearance on Mainstreet for those headed west into the
downtown area. Discussion included the possibility of outside funding via civic organizations,
historical society and/or possibly grants. Stadler stated that an HCRRA permit would be required
to improve this area but did not expect any difficulty in obtaining a permit. This new potential
project will be considered further at the February meeting.
C. Upcoming Park projects
This agenda item includes 2019—2023 projects and it was deferred to the February meeting.
D. Other topics of interest
Stadler mentioned that an email had been received from an inquiring Bellgrove neighborhood
resident about a possible park being built in the neighborhood. There has been no request made to
the city in regards to creating a new park in one of the associations outlots.
E. Park Area Assignment Report
ort
Kyle Kaczmarek: Nothing to Report (NTR)
Emma Figgins: NTR
Caroline Rinker: Absent.
Mohamed Warsame: NTR
Laura Santiago: NTR
V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
The next regular Park Board Meeting is 6:30 pm on Monday, February 25, 2019 and held at the Fire
Station, 101 17'h Ave S.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Emma Figgins moved to achourn the meeting, seconded by Laura Santiago. The motion passed 4-0.
The meeting djo ed at 8: p.m.
Attest:
Chairperson