Park Board Minutes

December 19, 2011

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on December 19, 2011.

I. Call To Order

Jason Gadd, Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Present were Park Board members: Jason Gadd, Brian Furan, Bob Hatlestad and Tom Jenny.  Absent was Colin Serle.  Also present was City of Hopkins Park Board staff liaison Steve Stadler.

Iii. Approval Of Minutes For November 21, 2011.

A motion was made by Bob Hatlestad, seconded by Brian Furan to approve the November 21 minutes.  The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. 

IV. BUSINESS

  1. Election of New Officers

    Jason Gadd was elected to City Council – a new Park Board Chairperson is needed.  After brief discussion, Tom Jenny made a motion to elect Bob Hatlestad as chairperson, the motion was seconded by Brian Furan.  The motion passed with a 4-0 vote.  Bob Hatlestad will start his duties as Park Board Chair at the Jan 23 meeting.  Brian Furan will stay on as vice-chair until his term expires in June 2012.

  2. Park System Capital Improvements

    Stadler presented the short list of planned 2012 improvements, the Park Improvement Fund (301) working capital report and feedback from the Valley Park area residents in response to the 2007 neighborhood park survey.  Stadler showed photos of the existing Valley Park play equipment, installed in 1992, that shows it to be in very good shape, as is the swing set.  However, because it’s 20 years old the play equipment is included in the 2012 Parks CIP for consideration of replacement – the replacement project CIP budget is $65,000.  Stadler mentioned the possibility of not replacing the entire play structure but look at upgrading the play container area with new concrete edging, wood fiber chip safety surfacing and replacing the existing steel climbing dome with a new, very popular with kids, cable climbing piece.  The goal would be to upgrade the appearance, maintainability and appeal of the overall play area but not spend the entire $65,000 budget amount.  After some discussion the Park Board was open to continuing to look at this upgrade plan – Stadler will provide more details at future meetings.

    There was discussion regarding the state of the rapidly diminishing Park Capital Improvements Fund and how the City could improve the funding outlook for future park capital improvements.  Different funding options were discussed – Stadler will report back to the Board on how other cities handle park dedication fees associated with new developments/redevelopments.  Bob Hatlestad mentioned that he will contact the Mayor and request a discussion regarding future park capital funding.  
  3. Athletic Field Use Policy

    Stadler stated that he would like to pursue HALL paying additional Maetzold Field O&M costs, specifically the energy costs for the lighting.  The May – September 2010 and 2011 energy costs for the site averaged about $1,900.  After short discussion it was decided to continue working this policy after the athletic field use fees are approved by City Council.  

  4. Maetzold Field Upcoming Improvements & Twins Community Fund Grant application
    Stadler reported that $30,000 grant has been approved by the Twins Community Fund.  This brings the total grant amount to $180,000.  Stadler reported that he will begin working on the logistics of design, contracting and constructing the improvements this summer. 

  5. Miscellaneous Updates: Stadler provided an update on the following items.
    1. Cottageville Park/Blake Road corridor plans – MCES will be making purchase offers to each duplex owner.  There is a winter fun event scheduled for January 14, 3-5 pm at the park. 
    2. Southwest Transitway Project – preliminary engineering status granted by FTA, awaiting public release of DEIS      
    3. Nine Mile Creek Streambank and Habitat enhancement project and Nine Mile Creek regional trail project – construction is anticipated to start next month with trail construction next summer/fall.   
    4. Hopkins Rotary proposed plan for new Burnes Park east shelter – No update, Stadler will contact the Rotary if he doesn’t hear anything by next spring timeframe.    
  6. Park Area Assignment Report
    1. Colin Serle: Hilltop, Buffer, Burnes Park – absent.
    2. Bob Hatlestad: Maetzold Field, Interlachen Park, Shady Oak Beach – they're skating at Interlachen Park.
    3. Brian Furan: Valley Park, Central Park, Oakes Park – nothing to report
    4. Jason Gadd: Cottageville Park, Harley Hopkins Park, Elmo Park – nothing to report
    5. Tom Jenny: Park Valley Playground, Shady Oak Nature Area, Downtown Park, Hiawatha Oaks – nothing to report.

V. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS:

The next regular Park Board Meeting is January 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Brian Furan made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob Hatlestad.  The motion passed with a 4 - 0 vote.  The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.