06-22-2020CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
June 22, 2020
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on June 22, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Kyle Kaczmarek, Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members Kyle Kaczmarek, Emma Figgins, Megan Slindee and Kim
Schlauderaff. Anna Pohmer was absent. Emma Figgins and Kim Schlauderaff attended virtually via
GoToMeeting video conference. Also present was Steve Stadler, PW Director/Park Board City staff
liaison.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the May 18, 2020 Park Board Meeting
Meg Slindee made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Kim Schlauderaff. The motion
passed with a 4-0 vote.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Improvements Update — Park Fund — 2021 Park Improvements — Park Fund outlook
Steve Stadler reviewed a handout which summarized projected end of year Park Improvement
Fund balances given certain assumptions regarding upcoming residential redevelopment projects
and with the assumption that gas and electric franchise fee revenue into the fund will end in
2020. Also, he summarized projected park infrastructure needs during the 2021-2025 time
period. These needs were taken from a provided handout showing a park system infrastructure
inventory and replacement/rehab schedule. It was stated that the estimated funds needed during
this time period to maintain/repair/rehab existing park infrastructure is $805,000. This represents
about 75% of the total park improvement funds available given the estimated park dedication
funds from the upcoming Cold Storage and Blake Road Station redevelopments. Stadler
mentioned that the $805,000 does not include upgrades to Downtown Park, estimated at
$240,000 or anticipated tennis and basketball court maintenance work. It was mentioned that the
City can reasonably assume that there will be additional park dedication fee revenue as a result
of future transit -oriented development related to the SWLRT Green Line Extension project,
scheduled for completion in 2023. After further discussion, the Board approved the following
park improvements for 2021:
- Design services - Shady Oak Beach picnic shelter replacement ($40,000)
- Design services — Downtown Park Upgrades ($45,000)
- Rehab of the two existing Central Park picnic shelters ($45,000)
- Replacement of the 30 -year old Central Park east play equipment ($75,000)
-2-
o Play equipment options will be presented for consideration at a future meeting.
B. Hopkins Parks & COVID-19
Stadler gave a rundown on the current status of park amenities and programs:
- Basketball courts/play courts: Recent MDH guidance allows for the return of outdoor
youth basketball practice and scrimmages. Accordingly, the basketball hoops will be
reinstalled this week at Burnes Park, Valley Park and Cottageville Park.
- The splash pad is open as of June 15 and there has not been any observed overcrowding
or problems with social distancing.
- Pickleball and Tennis courts: The signs prohibiting doubles play were removed a couple
weeks ago.
- Restrooms are open to the public during the hours of the park attendants, typically 10 am
— 6 pm.
- Shady Oak Beach is open without life guards, concessions, restrooms.
- Softball and kickball league play will resume the week of July 6
C. Promoting Hopkins' Parks — summer of 2020
Stadler reported that to -date there have been three weekly park features presented on social media -
Cottageville Park, Valley Park and Burnes Park. He is planning to feature Central Park this week and
after that it would have to be neighborhood parks. Kim mentioned that she appreciates seeing the
background or history provided with the feature park. It was mentioned that a weekly feature could be
a focus on a particular park amenity vs. a neighborhood park. Also, the Board agreed that there
doesn't have to be a new park feature put out every week.
D. Oakes Park hocked
Stadler reported that for the past several years it has been increasingly difficult to maintain reasonable
ice conditions on the Oakes Park hockey rink. Also, the hockey boards have been heaving badly
adding to the maintenance workload. He also mentioned that there is no organized activities on this
hockey rink, unlike the rinks in the other parks. Further, the lights for this rink are the near obsolete,
energy inefficient halogen fixtures. Stadler would like to remove the hockey rink and add an ice trail
around the general skate rink at Oakes Park. The warming house attendees keep a record of ice rink
users each season — this record will be used to confirm what is expected to be a very low number of
hockey rink users. There was general agreement with removing the hockey rink and a subsequent
discussion about the public outreach regarding this change at the park. It was agreed that a mailing
targeting the residential areas around the park, a City website notice and social media postings would
be used in the August timeframe.
E. Park Area Assignment Report
Kyle Kaczmarek: People are making the most of the parks, which is good to see this summer.
Nothing else to report.
- 3 -
Emma l q*, -ins: Nothing to report (NTR)
M."gan Siindee People are using the Downtovoi Park for informal meetings, lunch_
Nothing else to report
Anna Pohmer: Absent
Kim Schlauderaff NTR
V NEX I SCHWI11.ED NIEF`I ING
The next regular Park I3oard Mecum, is 6:30 pm on Monday, Juiv 27, 2020 at City Hal,, 1010 V St S
V1 ADJOURNMI?NI
Nleg Shridecc moved to adiourn the meeting, seconded by Kvle Kaczrnatcl<: The motion passed 4-0.
The meeting adjoin
Attest
i
t hairperson