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04-25-2022HOPKINS PARK BOARD REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 25, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Bo ard was held on Monday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street South. Chair Meg Slindee called the meeting to order with Commissioners Miller, Stiele, Pohmer, Waitz, Jefferson, and Figgins and youth member Burman. Staff present included Management Analyst Imihy. ADOPT AGENDA Motion by Waitz. Second by Stiele. Motion to Adopt the Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. No public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Stiele. Second by Jefferson. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda. 1. Minutes of the March 28, 2022 Park Board Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. GENERAL BUSINESS Presentation on Sustainability/Environmental Commissions + Discussion Imihy gave a presentation about sustainability to help determine if it belongs within the work of the park board. There was an overview of what environmental boards are responsible for, how the work could tie into existing park board work and next steps. Member Waitz noted she did not think this is appropriate for the park board to take on since the work is important and requires a knowledgeable and pa ssionate group to be recruited. Member Miller had questions regarding City staff obligations within these boards and Imihy offered a few different options. Chair Slindee inquired how this came to be and what the timeline is. Member Pohmer noted she would like to know the level of involvement needed from the board and said she joined to be part of the park board. Member Stiele noted she thought it was a natural fit and anticipated it would be something they would be working on. Member Jefferson noted the more voices you hear, the better HOPKINS PARK BOARD REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 25, 2022 and there will be natural overlap but it is an important task that needs to be individually managed. Member Burman noted she thinks it is a good fit and is very interested in working on environmental issues. Member Figgins noted it is such a massive and important topic it should have its own commission but recognized that there is overlap. The board continued to discuss the topic. Imihy will be sending out the sustainability update to the board and noted she would not suggest the park board take on the sustainability board. Motion to advise to the City Council that they establish a sustainability board urgently to address the sustainability needs of the city. The park board would continue to do park related sustainability work that they are in the process of and would welcome interim sustainability questions or concerns. Board members discussed the motion prior to voting. Motion by Figgins. Second by Pohmer. Ayes: 5. Nays: 2. Motion carried. Motion to form a work group to bring in outside experts to advise council what would be the best advice for council to form a sustainability board. Motion by Miller. Second by Stiele. After discussion, motion was amended. Imihy explained working groups need to be approved by staff and the goal was to see if the park board would want to take the sustainability board on, not to figure out how to solve the issue. Imihy then read the handbook to figure out the key components of a working group. Member Miller can decide that he would like to have a proposal made to form a working group. Imihy can put the proposal together and then it would need to come back to a regularly scheduled meeting. Following that, he would need to advertise it and select 5-7 members. The board discussed the working group idea. Motion for this commission have staff complete a proposal to determine the need for a working group to vote on at their next regular meeting. Motion by Miller. Second by Stiele. Ayes: 2. Nays: 5. Motion failed. HOPKINS PARK BOARD REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 25, 2022 Discussion on Parks Partners Imihy informed the board about others who plan and participate in the parks sy stem. Imihy gave a list, which includes the City of Minnetonka, the Hopkins school district, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Three Rivers Park District, watershed districts, 3rd Lair, residents, and community groups. The board discussed who they are interested in working with more, including Hopkins Police, Adopt-A-Park, Hopkins City Council and Hopkins Public Works. GENERAL PARK UPDATE Minnetonka Parks and Recreation Update From Minnetonka’s Ann Davy’s email: • Spring/Summer adult softball leagues began this week (although it was a wet start). • Adult kickball, sand volleyball and soccer leagues begin mid-May. • The city is still looking to fill several summer positions. The biggest needs are lifeguards, swim instructors, Park Adventures leaders. • May Bike month activities include: o Bike and Roll to School Day: Wednesday, May 4 o Bike to Work Week: May 16-22 o Bike to Work Day: Friday, May 20; Energizer station set up along the trail at Maetzold Park in Hopkins o Bike Scavenger Hunt: Throughout the month of May – see details at www.minnetonkamn.gov (coming soon) • The Summer Junior Leader program, a volunteer program for teens ages 13 -18, is full with 25 participants. Teens are assigned to assist paid staff at our Park Adventures and Jidana Day Camp programs. The board also discussed Williston Fitness Center. Master Park System Plan Update Imihy let the board know the council did approve funds for a master plan. Imihy met with Confluence to get the process started. Imihy reported two community engagement interns have been hired and will be helping this summer with engagement. PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS The park assignments are as follows: Emma Figgins: Buffer, Central: NTR (nothing to report) Meg Slindee: Harley Hopkins, Maetzold Field: Nothing at Maetzold. Saw weird mounds of dirt at Harley Hopkins on the fields. Anna Pohmer: Burnes, Hilltop: NTR Dre Jefferson: Cottageville, Park Valley: NTR Emily Waitz: Minnehaha Creek Preserve, Valley: NTR Matthew Miller: Oakes, Hiawatha Oakes Preserve: NTR Kimberly Stiele: Elmo, Downtown: Downtown Park looks sad, excited for planting/spring cleanup.