08-24-2020CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 24, 2020
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on August 24, 2020
I. CALL TO ORDER
Emma Figgins, Vice -Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members Emma Figgins, Meg Slindee and Anna Pohmer. Kyle Kaczmarek
and Kim Schlauderaff were absent. Members attended virtually via Zoom video conference. Also
present via Zoom video conference was Steve Stadler, PW Director/Park Board City staff liaison.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the July 27, 2020 Park Board Meeting:
Anna Pohmer made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Meg Slindee. The motion passed
with a 3-0 vote. .
IV. BUSINESS
A. Improvements Update — Park Fundinp,outlook.
Steve Stadler stated that it was likely that the proposed 2021 tax levy increase would be reduced
necessitating the need to redirect Utility Franchise Fees from the Park Improvement Fund to the
General Fund. It was likely that for 2021 only about $40,000 of Franchise Fees, above the $110,000
dedicated for bond debt service, would be available for revenue into the Park Improvement Fund. The
2024 end of year balance in the Park Improvement Fund is $51,000. That would leave about $91,000
total available for park improvements in 2021. Stadler recapped the proposed 2021 park improvement
projects and there was some discussion on what would be a priority project, within the funding
constraints, for 2021. A decision on 2021 park improvements will be made at a future meeting.
Stadler will bring to the September meeting a couple more options for Central Park east play
equipment replacement.
B. Promoting Hopkins' Parks — summer of 2020 — play equipment survey
Stadler went through a summary of comments received from the informal Facebook play equipment
survey from mid-August. There were a variety of comments but common themes included: platform
style play equipment for younger kids; popular items were spinners, slides and climbing walls.
Several commenters stated that rubberized safety surfacing was much -preferred over wood chips and
that equipment in the sun can get too hot to use.
D. Oakes Park hockey rink, Memorial Bench program, Central Park East Play Equipment
Stadler stated that the postcard notice for the removal of the Oakes Park hockey rink will go out to the
area residents this week with responses requested by September 11.
Stadler explained the history of the memorial bench program, starting at Downtown Park, and
requested to discontinue it due to very little demand, reduced need for additional benches in the parks,
and overall costs which far exceed the required current $1,000 donation. After a brief discussion
Emma Figgins made a motion to discontinue the memorial bench program, seconded by Meg Slindee.
The motion passed with a 3-0 vote.
E. Other Topics of Interest
The Board discussed the park 'passport program and reiterated their desire to get a program going for
the next summer season or sooner. Anna Pohmer shared some Minnesota State Parks/Trails hiking
club publications that are used to market and enhance state park and state trail use. It was agreed to
have focused discussions at upcoming meetings to define a program matched to Hopkins parks and
trails. Topics to discuss include budget, activities, type of publication, prizes, signs or other features in
the parks to support the program.
F. Park Area Assi�nment Report
Kyle Kaczmarek: Absent.
Emma Figgins: Nothing to report (NTR)
Megan Slindee: NTR.
Anna Pohmer: NTR.
Kim Schlauderaff: Absent.
V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
The next regular Park Board Meeting is 630 pm, on Monday, September 28, 2020 at City Hall, 1010 1 s
St S.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Meg Slindee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Anna Pohmer. The motion passed 3-0. The
meeting adjourned at 7:40 m.
Attest: I
Steve Stadler, Park Board Staff Liaison