Housing & DevelopmentParks, Trails & RecreationPlanning & ZoningPermits & LicensesPublic SafetyPublic WorksInspectionsCity of Hopkins, MinnesotaCommunityCity HallCity of Hopkins, MinnesotaContact UsAbout This SiteCity of Hopkins, MinnesotaSearchThe Depot Coffee HouseHopkins Activity CenterHopkins Center for the ArtsHopkins PavilionOverpass Skate Park

March 15, 2004

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on March 15, 2004.

  1. Call To Order
    Chairperson Richard Niemann called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
  2. Roll Call
    Present were Park Board members: Richard Niemann, Dave Specken, Katie Boarder and Ron Helgeson. Also present was Hopkins staff liaison Ray Vogtman.
  3. Approval of Minutes for November 17, 2003
    D. Specken moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to approve the minutes for the November 17, 2003 meeting. On the vote: R. Niemann, K. Boarder, D. Specken, and R. Helgeson voted yes. The minutes were approved 4-0. There was no meeting in January as it was cancelled.
  4. Business
    1. Performance Stage Dedication Ceremony
      A dedication ceremony for the new performance stage in Downtown Park has been scheduled for May 26 at 6:30 pm. The ceremony will include a performing band, the mayor and council members, the park board and many families representing the names found on the dedication benches. It is anticipated that a Hopkins Rotary work party scheduled for May 15 will include landscaping rock, annual and perennial flowers and the planting of shrubs. This item was informational only and no further action was required.
    2. Valley Park Dog Park
      The Board members continued the discussion on the proposed dog park on the existing archery range located in Valley Park. A quote to fence the site with five foot high fencing was reviewed. Total fencing costs were anticipated to be approximately $10,000. Total costs including site preparation, new signs and site amenities would approach $15,000. The consensus was to leave the archery range as is for now. If enough interest could be generated to support one half of the funding the project should move forward. It was agreed that Park Dedication funds would be appropriate to pay the balance. K. Boarder moved and D. Specken seconded a motion to recommend to Council that a community dog park be placed in the 2007 CIP for Valley Park at a cost of $15,000. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Helgeson, K. Boarder and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0.
    3. Rugby Club Facilities
      Four members of the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF) were present to introduce the sport of rugby and a request for field use. Rob Celarno (Pres.), Paul Johnson (Vice Pres.), Tony Mills (Sec/Treas.) and Dan Johnson (Board Member). A 7 minute Rugby Youth Promotional video was shown to familiarize the Park Board members with the sport of rugby. The MARF currently represents about 40 youth in grades 3-6, and 70 youth at the high school level. There is an equal mix of girls and boys teams represented. The season runs from April 10th to about June 15th for the high school teams and May to July for the youth teams. The regulation field size the MARF is requesting would be 110 yd. x 75 yd. with additional 20-25 yd. end zones. This size field could be broken down into 2 or 3 youth size fields. The Park Board members discussed the possible use of the Valley Park site for a spring rugby season. Staff Liaison R. Vogtman was asked to check with the Minnetonka Recreation Services (HMRS) to verify if there would be any scheduling conflicts. MARF would be installing goal posts for the season, which would preempt other field uses. A permit to use the northwest backstop for Hopkins Area Little League practices on Monday and Wednesday for the April to June time frame has already been issued in January of this year. Staff is checking with HALL to see if they are willing to release their permit for this spring at that location. MARF indicated that the rugby group would be willing to install sleeves for the goal posts, install and remove the goal posts at the beginning and end of the spring season and to improve the existing ponding of water in a portion of the field. After further discussion, K. Boarder moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to recommend that the use of Valley Park for a spring 2004 rugby season be allowed, pending field improvements by MARF and compatibility with existing field uses permitted by HMRS. On the vote: R. Niemann, D. Specken, K. Boarder and R. Helgeson voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0.
    4. Oak Folks Update
      The Board Members reviewed the letter from the Oaks Folks dated February 5, 2004. No further action was required.
    5. Park Area Assignment Report
      No park observations were noted.
    6. Parks Update
      Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated Park Board on current and pending spring projects and topics. Projects for spring work included Central Park irrigation repairs, modifications to Maetzold Field #3 and Downtown Park landscaping.
    7. Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation Board
      The last meeting was held on January 14, 2004. Increases to Shady Oak permits were approved. The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2004.
  5. New Business
    None
  6. Next Scheduled Meeting
    May 19, 2004, 6:30 pm
    City Council Chambers
  7. Adjournment
    D. Specken moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to adjourn. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Helgeson, K. Boarder and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.