03-22-2021CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 22, 2021
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on March 22, 2021.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Emma Figgins, Vice -Chairperson called the meeting to order at 635 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members, Emma Figgins, Meg Slindee and Anna Pohmer. Kyle Kaczmarek and
Kimberly Schlauderaff were absent. Members attended virtually via Zoom video conference. Also present via
Zoom video conference was Steve Stadler, City of Hopkins PW Director/Park Board City staff liaison.
111. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the February 22,. 2021 Park Board Meeting:.
Anna Pohmer made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Megan Slindee. The motion passed with a
3-0 vote,
IV. BUSINESS
A. Park Board 2021 goals/priorities
The Board members briefly discussed the 2040 Comprehensive Plan goals related to parks/trails. Stadler
presented a proposed revised 2021 work plan which included three new initiatives, two of which follow the
Comprehensive Plan recommendations: 1) Develop a plan to improve pedestrian & bicycle connections
to/between parks and regional trails; 2) Develop a plan to improve handicap accessibility to park features;
and 3) Develop a feasible 2022-2026 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. Several work plan items were put on
hold due to park finding constraints, these include: Downtown Park Improvement project actions,, Central
Park Improvement project actions, Downtown area Gateway Park and 2nd St NE/Hwy 169 stonnwater pond
area/local trail enhancements. The Board members agreed that the Gateway Park initiative is not a priority at
this time, especially when Downtown Park is needing an upgrade. There was discussion regarding
replacement of the Central Park east play equipment and agreement that it is a priority and a good candidate
for an upgrade that focuses on handicap accessibility.
B. Park Improvement Fund
Board members reviewed the fund's working capital report and briefly discussed the potential, but uncertain,,
future park dedication fees into the fund from upcoming City redevelopment projects. It was noted that with
the currently planned 2022 and 2023 park projects, the fund will have a small negative balance at the end of
2023. It was also noted that the planned 2023 Minnehaha Creek Overlook project requires some funding from
the General Fund and the timing is somewhat uncertain as it should complement the 325 Blake Road
redevelopment. Work on the 2022-2026 CIP will begin at the April meeting.
C. Explorinp, Hopkins Parks
After some discussion it was decided in spite of minimal public `feedback, to continue with a second exploring
Hopkins' parks info/activity sheet. The highlighted park will be Valley Park and the connection with Nine Mile
Creek Regional trail which runs through the park. Information and idea sharing on this park & trail will begin
at the April meeting.
D. U of M student Capstone prosect reports
There was brief discussion about the two reports: The City of Hopkins: Advancing Park Equity and
Accessibility. and Enhancement of Native Vegetation in Parks and Right of ways. It was noted that there is
overlap in the City's Comprehensive Plan goals and the recommendations of the reports, particularly regarding
parks' accessibility and enhancing the natural environment in the parks. There is interest in pursuing a plan to
identify under-utilized areas in the parks to create pollinator habitat. There will be further consideration of the
reports' recommendations at future meetings.
E. Other Topics of Interest
Steve Stadler brought up the following items of interest:
A local bicycle group, Access Hopkins, has an interest in creating a bike park at Valley Park. The group
has been encouraged to seek concurrence from the Park Board for their concept plan.
There has been interest expressed by users for lighting of the Central Park pickleball courts. The
estimated cost of adding sport lighting for the five courts is about $120,000.
The City has received an unsolicited proposal for a public/private partnership to allow for the
construction of a dome covering two of the four Central Park tennis courts and convert the two domed
tennis courts to eight pickleball courts. Regardless of whether or not the City might support such a plan,
it is complicated by the fact that the property is owned by Hopkins Schools. Steve Stadler is reaching
out to the school district on whether they'd be willing to revise the City's current 30 -year lease of the
property.
Anna Pohmer asked when the soccer goals for Maetzold Field would be put out. Steve Stadler will find out
and report back.
F. Park Area Assignment Report
Kyle Kaczmarek:
Absent
Emma Figgins:
Nothing to report (NTR)
Megan Slindee:
NTR
Kim Schlauderaff:
Absent
Anna Pohmer:
NTR
V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
The next regular Park Board Meeting is 6:30 pm on Monday, April 26, 2021 at City Hall, 1010 15` St S.
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VI. ADJOURNMENT
Anna Pohmer moved to adjourn the meeting,
meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Attest:
Steve Stadler, Park Board Staff Liaison
seconded by Megan Slindee. The motion passed 3-0. The