CR 99-52 Skate Park Facility
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March 10, 1999 ~ Council Report 99-52
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. SKATE PARK FACILITY
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Accept the recommendations for a skate park
facilitv from the Park Board and send these recommendations to zonino and olannino for review."
Overview.
A special meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on April 20, 1998 to review a proposal for a
skate park facility to be constructed in Hopkins. Hopkins Jaycees representative, Julie Howard, was
present to discuss the proposal for Jaycees' funding for such a facility. At this meeting the Park
Board recommended to Council that a skate park task force committee be formed to research this
opportunity. Subsequent to Council action, a skate park task force committee was formed with
representatives from H.M.R.D., city staff, Park Board members and several area youth. This
committee met as a group on July 20, August 17, September 8, November 23 and last on December
30, 1998. Some limited individual work was a[so done outside of these group committee meetings.
A mission statement was developed by this committee which reads "The skate park task force shall
study the feasibility for a permanent skate park facility and recommend to the Park Board by January
10, 1999 the results of the task force. The results shall include a potential site, size, operational
. hours, staffing recommendations, seasons of operation, insurance and liability concerns." At the
meeting on December 3D, 1998 the skate park task force made their recommendations to the Park
Board.
The Park Board accepted these recommendations at the January 25, 1999 meeting of the Park
Board. A motion was then passed "recommending to the City Council that a skate park facility be
constructed within the City of Hopkins; such facility to incorporate the following recommendations..."
Primary Issues to Consider.
. Park Board recommendations
. Is the recommended site available?
. How will the project be funded?
. Will the project require additional funding from the City?
. What is the time frame for action on this project?
. Will any additional actions be forthcoming?
SupportinQ Information.
. Analysis of Issues.
. Skate Park Task Force Committee meeting minutes, December 20, 1998.
. Park Board meeting minutes, January 25, 1999.
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Ray Va man, Parks/Forestry Superintendent
Analysis of Issues.
e. Park Board recommendations
1) The only potential site chosen for the skate park is the Hwy 169 overpass property
owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, under current lease to Super
Vatu. This parcel is located south of the railroad tracks, west of Washington Ave.
2) The task force recommends that formal negotiations between the City, Super Value and
the MN Department of Transportation begin to permit a skate park facility within the
constraints of the other agencies before a new permit is released in April of 1999.
3) The Skate Park is to be a blacktop surface, with equipment similar to that used by the
City of Roseville.
4) The site is to be fenced, staffed by the city, have posted hours of operation and fees
charged for use by both skate boarders and in-line skating. BMX bikes are to be
excluded.
5) Insurance is to be Tier II provided by the League of Minnesota Cities.
6) The task force recommends that all available money at this time be used for blacktop,
. fencing, aggressive equipment and protective equipment. Amenities such as lights, a
building for restrooms and concessions, and a paved parking lot be added in the future
as revenues may support.
7) The size of the site should be a minimum of 14,000 square feet and no larger than
20,000 square feet.
8) Recommendations that remain to be made include seasons of operation, hours and
days of operation, rules and regulations, staffing levels, waiver forms, fees and types of
protective equipment.
. Is the recommended site available?
The Minnesota Department of Transportation owns the recommended site, under current
lease to Super Valu. Discussions with both parties indicate that the site will be available in
April of 2000. The new lease currently being negotiated with Super Valu by MnDOT will
include language supporting use of the site by the City of Hopkins for a skate park facility in
the spring of the year 2000.
. How will the project be funded?
The Hopkins Jaycees have made a commitment to allocate up to $125,000 for the
e construction of the skate park facility with another $2,500 to $3,000 for a design or feasibility
study.
. Will the project require any additional funding from the City?
. Exact operational costs for such a facility are unknown at this time. The major operational
costs are expected to be staff and insurance costs. It is anticipated that this site will be self-
sufficient, with user fees offsetting all operational costs, including insurance and staff. Further
work with the task force will help to analyze this issue. All construction costs will be supported
by the Hopkins Jaycees proposal.
. What is the time frame for action on this project?
The driving force for this project will be when the site becomes available. It appears that the
Super Valu redevelopment will allow Super Valu to remove most of the trailer related storage
and parking they now use on the site. This move will take place in late summer or early fall.
This will allow the City to begin construction activities at that time, opening for use in the
spring of 2000. MnDOT has verbally committed to a skate park facility on this site for a permit
fee of $1.00 per year.
. Will any additional action be forthcoming?
Yes. The skate park task force is prepared to consider additional operational concerns once
formal approval for the site is made. A review by zoning and planning is recommended and
some action by this commission is anticipated. The police department is currently reviewing
the concept for their comments and concerns. It is anticipated that in the fall of 1999 approval
. of operational rules and regulations will be requiring Council action, as well as formal Council
action for approval of the project itself.
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~- SKATEPARKTASKFORCECO~TTEE
. 1\1EETING MINUTES
December 30, 1998
I. Present were members: T. Moore, R Vogtman, C. Heubach, D. Day, M. Munzenirder,
W. Swanson. Absent was the Jaycees liaison, J. Howard.
IT MISSION STATEMENT
"The skate park task force shall study the feasibility for a permanent skate park facility
and recommend to the park board by January 10, 1999 the results of the task force. The
results shall include a potential site, size, operational hours, staffing recommendations,
seasons of operation, insurance, and liability concerns.
II. BUSINESS ITEMS
A The task force viewed pictures and materials from the City of Rose vi lie Skate park
facility. The pictures showed the number and type of equipment offered; 13 pieces
over an outdoor park covering 20,000 square feet. Materials included information on
capital investment, insurance, injuries, staffing waiver forms, fees, attendance
numbers, revenues, and general information.
B. The task force viewed a VCR recording made by R Vogtman in the City of Duluth.
.' Recorded were three sites in Duluth where skateboarding is encouraged and the City
of Duluth provides equipment.
C. R. Vogtman updated the other members on his conversation with Lloyd Johnson from
Super Valu. Although the permit for the Hwy 169 overpass site will probably be
renewed by Super Valu for another year, they are willing to work with us on this site
for a skate park. Construction is progressing quickly on the new Super Valu
warehouse so it may be possible that the Hwy 169 site could be available before the
November timeframe. L. Johnson will meet with the logistics team at Super Valu and
get back to us as more information becomes available. I I
III. NEW BUSINESS
A The task force agrees that they are prepared to make some recommendation to the
Park Board for the January 25 meeting. Although the task force is not ready to
recommend all of the objectives found in the mission statement, the following
recommendations are made:
1) The only potential site chosen for the skate park is the Hwy 169 overpass property
owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, under current lease to
Super Valu. This parcel is located south of the railroad tracks, west of
\Vashington Ave.
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. 2) The task force recommends that fOImal negotiations between the City, Super
Value and the :MN Department of Transportation begin to permit a skate park
facility within the constraints of the other agencies before a new permit is released
in April of 1999.
3) The Skate Park is to be a blacktop surface, with equipment similar to that used by
the City of Roseville.
4) The site is to be fenced, staffed by the city, have posted hours of operation and
fees charged for use by both skate boarders and in-line skating. B:MX bikes are to
be excluded.
5) Insurance is to be Tier II provided by the League of Minnesota Cities.
6) The task force recommends that all available money at this time be used for
blacktop, fencing, aggressive equipment and protective equipment. Amenities
such as lights, a building for restrooms and concessions, and a paved parking lot
be added in the future as revenues may support.
7) The size of the site should be a minimum of 14,000 square feet and no larger than
20,000 square feet.
. 8) Recommendations that remain to be made include seasons of operation, hours and
days of operation, rules and regulations, staffing levels, waiver forms, fees and
types of protective equipment.
B. Members M. Munzenirder and W. Swanson are to visit the various computer web
sites provided by the City of RosevilIe and gather any additional information
which may be useful to us.
III. Next meetings are not scheduled until March. This should allow the city time to work on
the permit for the potential site. I
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IV. Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
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CITY OF HOPKINS PARK. BOARD
~~ MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 1999
. A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on January 25. 1999.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairperson; K Egger.
II. ROLL CALL
Present were Park Board members; David Day, Charles Heubach, Mark Kuhl. Pat Schuessler and Karen
Egger. Also present was Hopkins staff Liaison Ray Vogtman. Absent was Council Liaison Karen
Jensen.
III. AFPROV AL OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 16. 1998
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D. Day moved and P. Schuessler seconded a motion to approve the minutes for tbe September 21,
, - 1998 meeting. On the vote: D. Day, M. Kuhl, C. Heubacb, P. Schuessler and K. Egger voted yes.
The minutes were approved 5-0.
IV. BUSINESS
A. HUTCHINSON SPUR TRAIL
:. There were no residents in attendance to provide comments on the final plans for the Hutchinson
Spur Trail upgrade. One resident telephoned in earlier in the week to indicate his displeasure over the
snow plowing of the existing unimproved trail. The resident claimed that present plowing practices
are creating muddy trail conditions from over plowing.
B. HOPKINS JAYCEES SKATE PARK
The Park Board accepted the recommendations from the Skate Park Task Force Committee. C.
Heubach moved and P. Schuessler seconded a motion to recommend to the City Council that a
skate park facility be constructed within the City of Hopkins; such facility to incorporate the
following recommendations: On the vote D. Day, M. Kuhl, C. Heubach, P. Schuessler and K.
Egger voted yes. The motion was approved 5-0.
1) The only potential site chosen fOf the skate park is the Hwy 169 overpass property owned by
the Minnesota Department of Transportation, under current lease to Super Valu. This parcel is
located south of the railroad tracks, west of Washington Ave.
2) The task force recommends that formal negotiations between the City, Super Valu and the MN
Department of Transportation begin to permit a skate park facility within the constraints of the
other agencies before a new permit is released in April of 1999.
. 3) The Skate Park is to be a blacktop surface, with equipment similar to that used by the City of
. Roseville.
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4) The site is to be fenced, staffed by the city, have posted hours of operation and fees charged
e:. for use by both skate boarders and in-line skating. BMX bikes are to be excluded.
5) Insurance is to be Tier IT provided by the League of Minnesota Cities.
6) The task force recommends that all available money at this time be used for blacktop, fencing,
aggressive equipment and protective equipment. Amenities such as lights, a building for
restrooms and concessions, and a paved parking lot be added in the future as revenues may
support.
7) The size of the site should be a minimum of 14,000 square feet and no larger than 20,000
square feet.
8) Recommendations that remain to be made include seasons of operation, hours and days of
operation, rules and regulations, staffing levels, waiver forms, fees and types of protective
I , equipment.
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C. SUPER V ALU REDEVELOPMENT
No residents were in attendance to voice concerns over the proposed parking for Buffer Park. C.
Heubach moved and D. Day seconded a motion to recommend to the city council that parking
for Buffer Park be as proposed on the plans for 5th St S, a 8' wide 300' long parking lane as
opposed to an off-street parking lot. On the vote; On the vote; D. Day, M. Kuhl, C. Heubach,
P. Schuessler and K. Egger voted motion was approved 5-0.
(. D. METRO TRANSIT PARK & RIDE
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Project Manager from Metro Transit, George Serumgard, presented a preliminary layout for a
proposed park and ride facility between 5th Ave S and Hwy 169. :Mr. Serumgard then fielded many
questions from the board members about the proposal. Most of the discussion centered round 1)
beautification of the corridor from 8th Ave S to the Hwy 169 over pass, 2) less parking spaces, 3) a
possible pedestrian bridge over Excelsior Boulevard and 4) cooperation with Hennepin Parks to
incorporate a trail head into this proposal. Chairperson K. Egger called a work session on February
21, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at Hopkins Public Works to discuss this proposal at length. A special meeting
of the Park Board was also called for the following night, February 22, 1999 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
It is anticipated that George Serumgard from Metro Transit and Del Miller from Hennepin Parks will
be at the February 220d meeting to present additional information and discussion on the proposal.
The Park board will be prepared to make a recommendation to the city council at the conclusion of
the special meeting.
E. 13TH AVENUE S VACATION
The park board would like to see items G and H modified to read as follows:
g. Constructing up to 2 basketball courts on the vacated portion of 13th Ave S, near the northeast
comer of Central Park.
,. h. The city will construct additional handicapped parking on the vacated 13th Ave S right-of-way
with access from 1st St S.
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F. BEAUTIFICATION CORRIDOR
~. This item was discussed at length during the Metro Transit presentation. This item will also be
discussed at the work session and the special meeting.
G. CITY TRAIL PLAN
Staff member R Vogtman informed the board that action on this agenda item will be required in
April or May in order to be ready for a June comprehensive Plan. MontWy meetings in March, April
and May might be necessary to accomplish this goal.
H. PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Patty Schuessler: Valley, Cottageville. Hiawatha Oaks
Mark KuW: Oakes, Interlachen, Burnes
, . Karen Egger: Harley Hopkins, Central. Shady Oak Nature Area
< David Day: Elmo. Hilltop, Maetzold Field
Charles Heubach: Shady Oak Beach, Park Valley Playground, Buffer
K. Egger indicated that there were no hockey lights on at 6:00 p.m. on 1/25/1999. Questioned as
to why.
D. Day reported that a light is out on the Maetzold Field Building.
1. HOPKINSI11INNETONKA JOINT RECREATION BOARD- Last met on Wednesday, January 13th
'". V. NEW BUSINESS - None.
VI. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Park Board will be March 15. 1999 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
D. Day moved and C. Heubach seconded a motion to adjourn. On the vote; K. Egger, C. Heubach, P.
Schuessler, M. KuW and D. Day voted yes. The motion was approved 5-0. The meeting adjourned at
8:40 p.m.
ATTEST: 14~
Karen E . ChaIrperson
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