Park Board Minutes

June 21, 2010

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on June 21, 2010.

  1. Call to Order
     Aaron Kuznia, Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 
  2. Roll Call
    Present were Park Board members: Aaron Kuznia, Brian Furan, Doug Datta, Sharon Paulson and Jason Gadd.  Also present was City of Hopkins staff liaison Steve Stadler.        
  3. Approval of Minutes
    Sharon Paulson made a motion and Doug Datta seconded to approve the minutes from the May 17 meeting.  On the vote, the minutes were approved 5-0. 
  4. Business
    1. Tobacco-Free Parks Policy Request

      Stadler presented a proposed new City policy:  Legislative Policy #5G  City Parks – Ban on Use of Tobacco Products.

      After brief discussion, including a short recap of the May 25 Jt. City Council – Park Board meeting, Jason Gadd made a motion that the Park Board recommend City Council approve new Legislative Policy #5G, seconded by Doug Datta.  The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.    

    2. Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) - Cottageville Park Improvements

      Stadler gave a brief update of park improvements that have been approved by the BRCC and are funded by LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation). 

      The basketball court has been expanded and the final color coating should be done within 2 weeks.  The soccer goals have been ordered and should arrive within a week.  Xcel Energy has added four downcast lights along the alley on the north side of the park (not funded by LISC, city pays energy cost only).
    3. Hopkins Area Little League - Maetzold Field Improvements

      Stadler gave a brief update of park improvements that have been approved by the BRCC and are funded by LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation). 

      The basketball court has been expanded and the final color coating should be done within 2 weeks.  The soccer goals have been ordered and should arrive within a week.  Xcel Energy has added four downcast lights along the alley on the north side of the park (not funded by LISC, city pays energy cost only).
    4. Park Improvement Plan/Capital Improvement Plan

      Stadler reported that City Council supported the proposed 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan, including:  Shady Oak Beach Community Play Area (2010-2011) with three annual payments of $21,000 (yrs 2010-2012) to the City of Minnetonka; moving the Hilltop Park play equipment project ($45,000) from 2011 to 2014 due to the good condition of the existing equipment; Replace Valley Park play equipment in 2012 ($65,000); Replace Park Valley playground play equipment in 2014 ($45,000); and add a project for Miscellaneous Park Improvements for years 2011 and 2012 at a cost of $10,000 each year.  This new miscellaneous improvement project would be used to fund work in the parks such as: repair/replace picnic pavilion roofs, repair play equipment containers, install new color coating to asphalt play areas, install water fountains, shade trees, etc. 

      The City Council is scheduled to approve the CIP at its July 6 meeting.  
    5. Shady Oak Beach project update
       Stadler stated that the two finalists for new play equipment at Shady Oak Beach are Fireflies Play Environments and Flagship Recreation.  A final selection will be made shortly.
    6. Elect New Officers

      This item was moved from item A. on the agenda.

      The current Park Board chairman, Aaron Kuznia and member Doug Datta have each accepted a position as member on the Zoning & Planning Commission, starting at their July 27 meeting.  Therefore, Park Board members should replace Aaron as Board chair.  The Board should also elect a vice-chair.  When Molly Cummings left the Park Board in December 2009, then vice-chair Aaron Kuznia was elected as the new Chairman but a new vice-chair was not elected. 

      New officers are elected by nomination and vote by all voting members.

      The two new incoming Park Board members are Linda Flynn and Kyle Skiermont both are coming off the Zoning & Planning Commission to join the Park Board.  They have been sworn-in and will join the Park Board at the July 19 meeting.     

      Sharon Paulson nominated Jason Gadd for Chairperson, seconded by Brian Furan.  With a 5-0 vote, Jason Gadd is elected as the new Park Board Chairperson. 

      Sharon Paulson nominated Brian Furan for Vice-Chairperson, seconded by Doug Datta.  With a 5-0 vote, Brian Furan is elected as the new Park Board Vice-Chairperson.
    7. Miscellaneous Updates
      • Blake Road/Cottageville Park planning - covered by previous agenda topic.   
      • Southwest Transitway Project - DEIS work is underway  
      • "Hopkins-in-Motion" - next event date:  Sept 11, 2010     
      • Nine Mile Creek Streambank and Habitat enhancement project and Nine Mile Creek regional trail project – the new 5th St S bridge construction is completed, work continuing on trying to secure a trail easement from Peace Valley Townhome Association located at 7th St S/9th Ave S
      • Maetzold Field batter cages, pitching pen improvements - see above agenda topic. 
      • Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant.  Third round application anticipated in fall 2010 – short discussion regarding the possibility of submitting an application to improve Maetzold Field, coupled with softball field upgrades at Central Park, so that Maetzold Field could be dedicated to youth sports only.          
    8. Park Area Assignment Report
      • Sharon Paulson: Hilltop, Buffer, Burnes Park - nothing to report.
      • Aaron Kuznia: Maetzold Field, Interlachen Park, Shady Oak Beach - nothing to report. 
      • Brian Furan: Valley Park, Central Park, Oakes Park - will provide some pictures. 
      • Jason Gadd: Cottageville Park, Harley Hopkins Park, Elmo Park - nothing to report.
      • Doug Datta: Park Valley Playground, Shady Oak Nature Area, Downtown Park, Hiawatha Oaks - nothing to report.   
  5. Next Scheduled Meetings  
    The next regular Park Board Meeting is July 19, 2010.       
  6. Adjournment
    Brian Furan made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Sharon Paulson.  The motion passed on a 5 - 0 vote.  The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.