07-27-2020CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
July 27, 2020
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on July 27, 2020
Kyle Kaczmarek, Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
11. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members Kyle Kaczmarek, Emma Figgins, Kim Schlauderaff and Anna
Pohmer. Megan Slindee was absent. All members attended virtually via Zoom video conference. Also
present via Zoom video conference was Steve Stadler, PW Director/Park Board City staff liaison. Gabe
Sherman, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District staff also attended a portion of the meeting via Zoom.
Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the June 22, 2020 Park Board Meeting:
Kim Schlauderaff made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Emma Figgins. The motion
passed with a 4-0 vote.
A. Improvements Update — Park Fund — 2021 Park Improvements — Park Fund outlook.
Steve Stadler reviewed several handouts, including a Park Improvement Fund projected cash flow
spread sheet, to present the 2021-2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program, as approved at the June
22 meeting, the current projected year-end balance in the Park Improvement Fund of just over
$51,000, and the projected cash flow of the fund given the proposed capital projects and assuming
continuing and unchanged revenues via utility franchise fees. There was discussion about the future of
the fund and upcoming park improvement projects given the challenging City budget climate due to
COVID- 19 and its associated revenue losses. Stadler shared that 2021 City budget discussions have
already begun and more will be known within the next couple months regarding whether or not the
utility franchise fees will continue as a Park Improvement Fund revenue in 2021.
B. Redevelopment Update — Blake Road/Excelsior Blvd and Hopkins Cold Storage site
Stadler shared that City staff and elected officials are continuing to work with the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District staff and District Board members to set the guidelines/agreements
necessary to work together and restart the Hopkins Cold Storage site redevelopment.
-2 -
Stadler shared that it isn't clear whether or not the Blake Road/Excelsior Blvd site redevelopment
(Blake Road Station) will result in a contribution to the Park Improvement Fund via park dedication
fees or other means. There is a question as to whether or not replatting is required for this
redevelopment and, if not, park dedication fees cannot be levied. More should be known in the coming
months as preparatory work continues with the City and the developer, Trilogy Real Estate Group.
C. Promoting Hopkins' Parks — summer of 2020
After some discussion it was agreed to end the summer feature park series on Facebook — all agreed
that the information and photos were interesting and informative.
Discussion turned to the Park passport marketing program that was cut short due to the COVID- 19
pandemic. It was agreed to restart planning work with the goal of rolling out the program for the
summer of 2021. It was mentioned that modeling a program similar to the Rochester Minnesota
program would be a good starting point. After some further discussion on details of this program it
was agreed that Stadler would bring a proposed plan of action items leading to a 2021 summer
program rollout.
D. Oakes Park hockey rink
As a follow-up to this June Park Board Meeting agenda item and discussion, Stadler presented a
proposed postcard notice for nearby residents to announce the City's plan to remove the hockey rink
this year. He also shared. skating season use data for our outdoor skating rinks for the past three
seasons, as reported by the warming house attendants. There was mention that the public notice
looked good but should include a date to reply by for those wanting to respond. Stadler stated that a
reply -by date of mid-September, a couple weeks prior to the September meeting, would be added and
the postcards mailed out in mid-August.
E. Other Topics of Interest
Stadler shared with the Board that the Hopkins Historical Society provided a plaque to commemorate
Russell "Butsie" Maetzold and that the plaque is being installed on the Maetzold pavilion.
Stadler provided pictures of playground equipment for consideration to replace the Central Park East
play equipment in 2021, if funding is available. The proposed equipment is unlike the standard play
sets in that it features challenging climbing activities at separate stations and has visually attractive
features with colored shade panels. Plus, the play set qualifies for a 100% matching grant program —
City cost would be about $50,000, including freight. After some discussion it was decided that it
would be beneficial to put out a Facebook poll on what kids enjoy in park play equipment.
F. Park Area Assignment Report
Kyle Kaczmarek: People are using/enjoying the parks — nothing else to report.
-3-
Emma
3-
Emma Figgins:
Nothing to report (NTR)
Megan Slindee:
Absent.
Anna Pohmer:
NTR.
Kim Schlauderaff:
NTR
V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
The next regular Park Board Meeting is 6:30 pm on Monday, August 24, 2020 at City Hall, 1010 1S' St
S.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Anna Pohmer moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kim Schlauderaff. The motion passed 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7`15 -.M.
Attest:
Chairperson