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January 10, 2005

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Board was held on January 10, 2005.

  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, Robert Edmonds, Ron Helgeson and David Specken. Absent was Park Board member Elizabeth Dorn. Also present was Hopkins staff liaison Ray Vogtman and Mayor Gene Maxwell.
  3. Approval of Minutes for November 15, 2004
    D. Specken moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to approve the minutes for the November 15, 2004 meeting. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Edmonds, R. Helgeson and D. Specken voted yes. The minutes were approved 4-0.
  4. Business
    1. Maetzold Field #3
      The Park Board reviewed the memos from the Hopkins Area Little League (HALL) and the Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation Services (HMRS). Present in the audience to discuss their respective memos and proposals were Kevin Thomas representing HALL and Ron Schwartz representing HMRS. Kevin Thomas gave a 15 minute review of HALL's proposal to get additional scheduled days for the use of Maetzold #3 ballfield. A growing membership, the creation of a challenger program and a desire to keep all HALL games at a central site, were given as the reasons for the proposal. An offer of $10,000 over two years to help facilitate the relocation of other user groups to some other ballfield location was also made. This money could be used to make field improvements and maintenance at the relocated site. Ron Schwartz lead a 40 minute discussion of the programs that HMRS offers and the importance of Maetzold #3 to those programs. R. Schwartz indicated that his current Co-Rec softball league has already been reduced to 12 teams from 16 teams because of the loss of one field in the school district last year. R. Schwartz indicated that HMRS would not be willing to schedule any less time than in 2004 for the HMRS programming. The operating policy would give the HMRS the first priority for scheduling of Maetzold #3. After discussion, staff liaison R. Vogtman asked about the Eisenhower ballfield. In past years this field did not appear to get much use. R. Vogtman indicated that it seemed HALL was looking for all games at Maetzold. This would make it necessary to find an alternate field for the Babe Ruth 13-year-old league. The inventory of Hopkins' parks does not have such a site. R. Schwartz indicated that Babe Ruth does use the Eisenhower field now, perhaps for some practices. It may require some maintenance or upgrades to make it a game field. The Park Board indicated support for exploring this as an alternate site. City staff was asked to meet with the Hopkins school district representative; Kevin Johnston, to explore this option. R. Niemann moved and R. Edmonds seconded a motion that City staff explore the options for improvements to and scheduling of the Eisenhower Field for the use of the 13-year-old Babe Ruth teams. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Edmonds, R. Helgeson and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0.
    2. Hiawatha Oaks Letters
      The Park Board reviewed the 12-7-04 and the 12-18-01 letters from Patricia Isaak, President of the Minnehaha Oaks Association. Board members also reviewed the 1-5-05 letter from Jim Genellie, Assistant City Manager to Pat Isaak. "A resolution acknowledging payment of special assessment by the Minnehaha Oaks Association and the dedication of 'Hiawatha Oaks' for park purposes" was also reviewed. After a brief discussion, D. Specken moved and R. Edmonds seconded a motion to recommend to Council that Resolution 05- be approved. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Edmonds, R. Helgeson and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0.
    3. Blake School Trail Purchase
      The Park Board reviewed the Miller, Steiner & Curtiss, P.A. memorandum dated 12-20-04 and the Vacant Land Purchase Agreement. Informational only, no formal action was required.
    4. Park Board Agenda For 2005
      Board members had a brief discussion to help give some direction to determine a course of action for 2005. A list was developed of items to be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. The list of items was as follows:
      1. Banger boards for tennis players at Oakes and Burnes Parks
      2. Miniature golf site
      3. Memorial planting garden
      4. A garden club for Hopkins
      5. Improvement in communications of items of interest to the public
      6. Upcoming events bulletin boards at Downtown Park
      7. Uses for the new Valley Park open spaces
      8. Land fill opportunities
      9. Burnes Park hard surface play area
      10. Order more park maps
      11. Trail kiosk maps
      12. C.I.P. schedule for Central Park tennis courts
      13. Raspberry promotions
      14. Improvements to 9 Mile Creek
    5. Park Area Assignment Report
      R. Niemann inquired about the police incidents history for Burnes Park for the last 3 years. No other reports were noted.
    6. Parks Update
      Staff liaison R. Vogtman updated the Board Members on ice rink conditions and the tree removal status. No other action was required.
    7. Hopkins/Minnetonka Joint Recreation Board
      The last meeting was held on 10-13-04. The next meeting is scheduled for 2-9-05. No board action was required.
  5. New Business
    None
  6. Next Scheduled Meeting
    March 21, 2005, 6:30 pm
    City Council Chambers
  7. Adjournment
    R. Edmonds moved and R. Helgeson seconded a motion to adjourn. On the vote: R. Niemann, R. Edmonds, R. Helgeson and D. Specken voted yes. The motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.