2009-041City of Hopkins
Hennepin County, Minnesota
Resolution No. 2009 - 041
Resolution Authorizing Participation in the
Minnehaha Creek Regional Partnership
WHEREAS, Minnehaha Creek is a navigable stream of regional
significance, providing recreational and natural resource benefits to the
residents of Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and Saint Louis
Park; Hennepin County; and the greater metropolitan region; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins recognizes that a Minnehaha Creek
Regional Partnership (comprised of the Cities of Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka,
and Saint Louis Park, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Hennepin County, and Three Rivers Park
District), will provide opportunities to coordinate efforts to promote the use
and benefits of Minnehaha Creek and further develop the creek's natural and
recreational resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins wishes to promote the benefits of the
natural and recreational resources of Minnehaha Creek through said partnership;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hopkins supports
creation and participation in an informal working group known as the Minnehaha
Creek Regional Partnership, with the following vision and goals:
Minnehaha Creek Regional Partnership: Vision
"A partnership of local and regional leaders, recognizing that Minnehaha Creek is
a significant regional recreational and natural resource, commits to preserving
and enhancing the creek's resources for current and future generations while
strengthening the communities along the creek."
Minnehaha Creek Regional Partnership: Goals
1. Promote the public recreational use, where appropriate, of Minnehaha Creek
by providing opportunities for citizens to use and enjoy the creek resources with
the intent of increasing the livability and quality of life within the watershed.
2. Preserve, protect and enhance the area's cultural resources through greater
public understanding of the significant role Minnehaha Creek has played in
American history and culture.
3. Enhance understanding and appreciation of Minnehaha Creek through
expanded education and interpretive opportunities.
4. Communicate with partners to coordinate land use and infrastructure
decisions that are consistent with the partnership's goals.
5. Work with partners to identify minimum standards for landings, bridges,
roadway crossings and other creek elements.
6. Achieve local, state and federal recognition of Minnehaha Creek as a
significant regional resource.
7. Improve the Minnehaha Creek ecosystem by minimizing direct discharges,
achieving desired instream flows that improve water quality through effective land
use planning and decision making.
8. Develop a community and organizational philosophy that values minimal
impact approaches for both citizen and public works activities within the riparian
corridor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Hopkins authorizes the County's
participation in the Minnehaha Creek Regional Partnership through appropriate
Public Works staff with the understanding that no financial commitment from
Hennepin County is required, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any requests for county financial participation
in any capital or operating activities that may be proposed by the Partnership be
brought to the City of Hopkins for its review and approval prior to any resource
commitments being made.
Moved, seconded, and unanimously approved by the Hopkins City Council the
18th day of August, 2009.
Eu = ne axwell, Mayor