10-11-2021 HOPKINS PARK BOARD AGENDA
Monday, October 11, 2021 6:30 pm
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
UNTIL THE START OF THE PARK BOARD MEETING
The public may attend this meeting in person.
I.CALL TO ORDER
II.ADOPT AGENDA
III.COMMUNITY COMMENT
1.At this time, any interested resident may come to speak on an item not on the evening’s
agenda.
IV.CONSENT AGENDA
1.Minutes of the August 23, 2021, Park Board
V.GENERAL BUSINESS
1.Review of Park Planning Process and Examples
2.Discuss Potential Areas for 2022 Work Plan
3.Select a New Date for the October 25 Park Board Meeting
VI.GENERAL PARK UPDATE
1.325 Blake Road Update
2.Healthy Tree Canopy Grant Update
VII.PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
1.Emma Figgins (Chair): Buffer Park, Central Park
2.Megan Slindee (Vice Chair): Harley Hopkins Park, Maetzold Field
3.Anna Pohmer: Hilltop Park, Burns Park
4.Dre Jefferson: Cottageville Park, Park Valley Park
5.Emily Waitz: Minnehaha Creek Preserve, Valley Park
6.Matthew Miller: Oakes Park, Hiawatha Oaks Preserve
7.Kimberly Stiele: Elmo Park, Downtown Park
8.Annika Burman & Misheel Battur: Shady Oak Beach, Interlachen Park
VIII.ADJOURN
1.November 22, 2021 – at Hopkins Fire Hall, 101 17th Ave S.
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 23, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Bo ard was
held on Monday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st
Street South.
Vice-Chair Emma Figgins called the meeting to order with Commissioners Jefferson,
Miller, Pohmer, Stiele, Waitz and Slindee and Youth Commissioners Battur and Burman
attending. Staff present included Management Analyst Imihy.
ADOPT AGENDA
Management Analyst Imihy provided an overview of the agenda format but did not
propose any changes to the agenda.
Motion by Kimberley Stiele. Second by Emily Waitz.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Kimberley Stiele. Second by Emily Waitz.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1.Minutes of the July 26, 2021 Park Board
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
No public comment.
GENERAL BUSINESS
V.1. Overview of Joint Recreation
Ann Davy from Minnetonka Parks and Recreation attended the meeting to give members
an overview of the parks and recreation department and programs that Hopkins shares
with Minnetonka. She gave details about the history, costs, facilities, registrations and a
general overview of the department. She also answered board member questions.
V.2. Review and Adopt Proposed Changes to the By-Laws
Management Analyst Imihy summarized proposed changes to the Park Board Bylaws.
Changes are predominately to modify gendered language and update numbers to reflect
current members. Minimal changes otherwise. The board discussed some of the by-laws
for clarification.
Imihy called for approval of the changes.
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 23, 2021
Motion by Meg Slindee. Second by Anna Pohmer.
Motion to Approve By-Law Changes.
Ayes: All.
Nays. None. Motion carried.
V.3. Park Development Fund and Finances Overview
Management Analyst Imihy provided a short presentation for board members regarding
park development funds and finances including details about the general fund, franchise
fees and park dedication fees. Parks and recreation programming and skate park
finances were also discussed. Imihy answered park board member questions and
discussed possible work plan items. Board members expressed concerns over budgets.
Imihy expressed how she would like to do a parks plan to assess the level of investment
needed for parks.
Chair Figgins called to table this topic for the next meeting.
Motion by Emma Figgins. Second by Kimberley Stiele.
Motion to Appoint Emma Figgins Chair of the Park Board.
Ayes: All.
Nays. None. Motion carried.
GENERAL PARK UPDATE
Management Analyst Imihy provided the general park update highlighting the items listed
on the agenda, including the 325 Blake Road update and discussing the parks tour. There
was an engagement event at Cottageville Park regarding the Blake Road project that was
successful. The board discussed a parks tour and agreed to revisit it in the spring.
PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Chair Figgins stated board members typically update others about concerns or any
notable points at their park assignments. She suggested moving forward it might be a
good idea to share how members see the parks being used. Due to time, members only
shared urgent issues. The park assignments are as follows:
Emma Figgins: Buffer, Central: NTR (nothing to report)
Meg Slindee: Harley Hopkins, Maetzold Field: NTR, National Night Out was great at
Maetzold
Anna Pohmer: Burnes, Hilltop: NTR, soccer fields at Burnes are in tiptop shape
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 23, 2021
Dre Jefferson: Cottageville, Park Valley: Wonders what alcohol in parks protocol is, 325
Blake Rd event at Cottageville was very informative
Emily Waitz: Minnehaha Creek Preserve, Valley: NTR, Valley had maintenance issues.
Community gardens were super busy
Matthew Miller: Oakes, Hiawatha Oakes Preserve: NTR, light usage at Oakes
Kimberly Stiele: Elmo, Downtown: Need to talk about use of Elmo Park, Downtown Park
benches are in need of a paint job
Annika Burman: Interlachen, Shady Oak Beach: NTR, one port a potty needed attention
Misheel Battur: Interlachen, Shady Oak Beach: NTR, Interlachen in good condition
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Park Board and upon a motion by
Anna Pohmer, second by Kimberley Stiele, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at
8:16 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lizzie Miller, Administrative Assistant
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Emma Figgins, Park Board Chair
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Park Board Chair and Members of the Park Board
From: PeggySue Imihy, Management Analyst
Date: September 23, 2021
Subject: Park Master Planning Discussion
_____________________________________________________________________
Purpose
As part of conversations regarding park finances have continued Staff would like to
begin a discussion around the idea of a master park plan to ensure that future park
improvements best meet the needs of Hopkins residents as well as to plan for increased
development and the current and future financial situation.
Discussion
Over the past few park board meetings, members have expressed concerns regarding
the financial picture of the park improvement fund and the number of projects which
were planned but never executed. While many projects have moved forward such as
the pickleball courts in Central Park and the improvements in Burns Park there have
also been several projects which never proceeded. In all cases, very little if any
community engagement was included as part of the projects. Staff feels that without
large scale community engagement it would be difficult to know if proposed CIP project
adequately meet the needs of the community and the continuing diversity we have
experienced since parks were initially developed. Additionally, a park master plan would
help the Park Board, City Council and Staff better understand how our parks can be
responsive to climate impacts, correctly meet increase deman d due to light rail
development and better understand the fiscal needs for our park system.
There are a large variety of plans which can be explored as examples for a parks
master plan:
• City of Bloomington Master Parks and Recreation Plan
• City of Shakopee Master Parks Plan
• Minneapolis North + South Master Plans
If the Park Board was interested in pursing a Master Planning process it could be
incorporated into the 2022 work plan and staff and the Park Board can begin
determining what an RFP for the plan might look like.
Next Steps
Tonight, the park board should discuss whether a park master plan should be
considered as a potential item for the 2022 work plan.
Administration
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Park Board Chair and Members of the Park Board
From: PeggySue Imihy, Management Analyst
Date: September 23, 2021
Subject: 2022 Work Plan Preliminary Discussion
_____________________________________________________________________
Purpose
Over the summer Staff has continued to discuss the creation and use of work plans by
boards and commission which would be reviewed and approved by the City Council.
Work Plans could include:
• Long term planning efforts such as a Master Parks and Recreation Plan
• Short term planning efforts such as specific park improvements
• Environmental projects such as native and pollinator garden planni ng or tree
canopy planting
Discussion
Direction of the work plan is drafted by the Park Board and ultimately approved by the
City Council. Items in the work plan can include ideas related to both parks and
sustainability and can be goals which can be accomplished in the calendar year or
should be pursued by this body long term. These goals will drive agendas and any
working groups created in 2022. Staff recommends setting goals which are “S.M.A.R.T”;
specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely.
Next Steps
Tonight, the park board should begin preliminary conversations on which types of goals
they would like staff to put in the work plan. These ideas will be translated into a draft
work plan which will be finalized at the October Park Board meeting and then reviewed
by the City Council for comment.
Administration
Board/Commission: Park Board
202X Annual Work Plan Proposal
Initiative ☐ New Initiative
☐ Continued Initiative
☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Project Lead(s) Staff Support
Required
Council
Approval
_________
Progress Report -
Initiative ☐ New Initiative
☐ Continued Initiative
☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Project Lead(s) Staff Support
Required
Council
Approval
Progress Report –
Initiative ☐ New Initiative
☐ Continued Initiative
☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Project Lead(s) Staff Support
Required
Council
Approval
Progress Report –
Initiative ☐ New Initiative
☐ Continued Initiative
☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Project Lead(s) Staff Support
Required
Council
Approval
Progress Report –
Board/Commission: Park Board
202X Annual Work Plan Proposal
Initiative ☐ New Initiative
☐ Continued Initiative
☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Project Lead(s) Staff Support
Required
Council
Approval
Progress Report –
Ongoing Responsibilities
Other Work Plan Ideas Considered for Current Year or Future Years
Staff Comments:
Council Comments: