Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the October 16, 2025, Regular Board Meeting is available here.

The Board Meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Three Rivers Park District Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane N., Plymouth, MN.

Superintendent’s Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Background Information:

Any individual wishing to address the Board on subjects which are not part of the meeting agenda may do so at this time. Such items will typically be referred to staff for review, action and/or recommendation for future board action. The public will also be provided an opportunity to address the Board on items which are on the agenda at the appropriate time.

If you would like to submit written comments in advance of the Board Meeting that will be shared with the Board, you may post them below in the comment box under the agenda item you wish to address or under People Wishing to Address the Board if it's a topic not on the Board Meeting agenda. Comments received by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Board Meeting will be shared with Commissioners at the meeting.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-20; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO ARLA CARMICHIEL UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

Prepared By: Paul Kortebein, Senior Manager of Forestry and Horticulture

Background:

Arla Carmichiel served the Park District for more than 47 years, beginning her time here as a seasonal gardener in 1978 and becoming full-time on September 4, 1984. She was promoted to Garden Operations Specialist in 1993 and from there to the Horticulture Operations Supervisor in May of 2006.

Arla was present for the very beginning of the Park District’s Horticulture program. She was mentored by Ray Ford, the last caretaker for the Lora Hoppe estate. Her time here saw the expansion of the Horticulture program from mainly Noerenberg Gardens to having a footprint at nearly every facility, golf course, and parking lot that the Park District manages. The evolution of the Horticulture program under her watch included the development of landscape maintenance tiers to prioritize efforts, as well as rain garden installations and their maintenance.

While the Horticulture program has evolved over time, Arla has maintained a consistently high standard for her full-time staff and all of the numerous seasonals and volunteers who have worked for her through the years. Arla has spent much of her time training and developing the next cohort of gardeners and horticulture stewards at Three Rivers, thereby creating a lasting legacy for this program.

Arla’s years of dedicated service to the Park District helped shape the look and quality of its landscapes, as well as create a welcoming first impression for all park guests. Throughout her tenure with the Park District, Arla applied her extensive knowledge, skills, and experience in garden design, plant selection, landscape installation, and customer service to improve the everyday encounters here for current and future generations. Arla’s last day of work will be October 31, 2025.

The attached Resolution of Appreciation is presented for Board consideration, recognizing Arla’s service to the Park District.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Arla Carmichiel.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-21; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO DARLA SMITH UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

Prepared By: Bri Koch, Park Operation Supervisor and Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent

Background:

With heartfelt appreciation, we recognize Darla Smith for her service to Three Rivers Park District. Darla has been a dedicated employee for over 36 years.

Darla Smith joined Three Rivers Park District in January 1989 at Richardson Nature Center. She vividly remembers walking into her interview at Richardson where she could hear sleet falling onto the leaves and thought to herself, "If I get this, I am never leaving!”

Darla started as a part-time benefited Receptionist until 1996 when she was promoted to full-time Division Secretary. She is extremely dedicated and passionate about parks. A few of Darla’s personal highlights of her career with Three Rivers Park District include: the first raptor release at French Park; holding a Bald Eagle; caring for the resident raptor, turtles and snakes at Richardson; serving as a host for the 2012 Special Park Districts Forum; and leading both the Employee Club and Management Support Team for several years.

Darla has a way of creating connections that develop into long-lasting relationships with our staff and park users. Darla never hesitates to spend the extra time answering questions in the campground or over the phone when people come in who want to know all about Three Rivers. During times when adaptability is needed, Darla always steps up – for example, in the spring of 2020 she took on a variety of tasks from maintenance to carpentry to boat inspections. She has a wealth of knowledge from her experience throughout the Park District, which began at Richardson Nature Center, moved into the famous Baker Barn and finished out at the Baker Operations Center and Campground.

The attached Resolution of Appreciation is being presented for Board consideration, recognizing Darla Smith’s contributions to the Park District.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Darla Smith.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED; THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.

Prepared By: Sierra Spicer-Zimmerman, Donor Relations and Volunteer Supervisor

Background:

Commissioners and/or staff are encouraged to report any special matters, awards, recognitions or other acknowledgements at this time.

Acknowledgement of Donations

The Board wishes to acknowledge the following donations to the Park District of $500 or more made in the past month.

• Clara Bleak, Bloomington - $5,000 directed to Richardson Nature Center.
• Wendy Weirich, Minneapolis - $1,000 directed to Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.
• Tim and Cathy Maes, St. Paul - $1,000 for the renewal of a tribute bench in memory of Susan Morris.

The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides ongoing support to the Park District through partnerships and directed donations. In September 2025, the Three Rivers Park District Foundation conveyed one gift of $10,000 to the Park District.

• Room & Board, Otsego - $10,000 as an undesignated gift to Three Rivers Park District.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED; THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.

Background:

• 2025 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar attached.
• Calendar of 2025 Meetings and Events attached.

Update(s):

• 2026 Proposed Board Meeting & Study Session Calendar - Draft No. 2 attached.

Attachments:

2025 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar.pdf

Calendar of 2025 Meetings and Events.pdf

2026 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar.pdf

All matters listed under Routine Business are considered to be standard items by the Board of Commissioners and will be enacted by one motion. For background information about any of the items listed below, visit this link.

Item 4A. Award of Construction Contract for the Yancy Site Demolition

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE YANCY PROPERTY DEMOLITION AT 15520 LAWNDALE LANE NORTH, DAYTON, MN TO JOHNSON COMPANIES, LLC IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $103,456.50 AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $113,802.15 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE LAND ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT, AND BETTERMENT FUND.

Item 4B. Receive the Third Quarter 2025 Public Safety Incident Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4C. Xcel Energy Powerline Pole Replacement Project Temporary Access Permit: Dakota Rail Regional Trail Closure

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE REGIONAL TRAIL ACCESS PERMIT REQUEST FROM XCEL ENERGY ALLOWING FOR THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE DAKOTA RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL.

Item 4D. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Project #802897 Temporary Access Permit: Dakota Rail Regional Trail Closure

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE TEMPORARY ACCESS PERMIT FOR MCES PROJECT #802897 ALLOWING FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE DAKOTA RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL.

Item 4E. Regional Trail System Winter Use Permits

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE WINTER USE PERMITS FOR 2025-2026 FOR THE CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND EXCELSIOR AND 2025-2028 FOR THE CITIES OF CRYSTAL, HANOVER, DEEPHAVEN, HOPKINS, NEW HOPE, RICHFIELD, EDEN PRAIRIE, BROOKLYN PARK AND MINNETONKA.

Item 4F. Designate Edward Jones Investments as an Official Depository for Investment Purposes

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO DESIGNATE EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS AS OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES FOR 2025.

Item 4G. Board Minutes of September 18, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

Item 4H. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended October 9, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 9, 2025, IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,187,684.09.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2026-2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

Background:

The 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program, or CIP (Attached) is ready for review and consideration of approval by the Board.

Purpose of the CIP:

• The 5-Year CIP provides a road map for capital investments and capital funding for the next five years.
• The 5-year CIP helps guide investments in Stewardship, Commitments and Discretionary projects based on principles and priorities set by the Three Rivers Board of Commissioners.
• The 5-year CIP allows for collaborative planning with partners. The 5-year CIP allows for longer term operational planning.
• The CIP helps formulate but does not replace the annual Asset Management Program (AMP). Final funding decisions are made by the Board as part of the annual AMP process that occurs later this year.
• The CIP is not a substitute for specific project approvals.

The CIP reflects the Board’s desire to minimize bonding, to maximize use of outside funds for non-discretionary projects, and to invest in discretionary projects that will enhance public use of the parks.

How this CIP is organized

There are four primary categories of capital investments, along with administrative costs:

Stewardship: Projects that maintain what we have.

Commitments: Projects that involve agreements with other parties.

Discretionary: Projects that provide benefits, but which can be deferred.

Enterprise: Projects specific to Hyland Ski Area and Golf.

Administrative: Funding of Dept. of Design positions through the CIP.

Proposed Expenditures

There are 124 total projects in the CIP with projected costs totaling $111,648,811.

Proposed Funding:

Funding in the CIP equals the projected expenditures. Forty percent of funding is proposed through Three Rivers bonding. The remainder (60 percent) of funding is primarily through Federal and state funds. Each of the first four years (2026-2029) require Three Rivers bonding below the $8.5 million target level. Year 5 (2030) has several large stewardship projects that drive up the estimated bonding to about $10.4 million. However, by the time the 2030 Asset Management Plan is developed in 2029, it is nearly certain that the CIP will have met the desired bonding target at that time.

Funding sources are as follows:

Projects on hold and not included in the CIP

Three Regional Trail projects are currently on hold pending Federal Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Improvement Program (STIP):

1. CP Rail North Trail Development (Golden Valley, New Hope, Crystal)
2. CP Rail South Trail Development (Bloomington, Edina)
3. North Cedar Lake Reconstruction (Hopkins, St. Louis Park)

These projects have been awarded a combined total of $15 million in Federal Grants through the State of Minnesota’s STIP process, However, funding of the STIP program has not yet been reauthorized by the Federal government. Without Federal Reauthorization, or if the Reauthorization Bill limits use of funding to exclude bike/ped projects, these projects will not receive funding and would be financially unfeasible. If these grants are included in the Reauthorization, it will be necessary to reevaluate options for securing match money for these projects.

Next Steps

The CIP is a planning tool. The first year of the approved CIP (2026) drives the development of the 2026 Asset Management Program. The 2026 Asset Management Program will be considered for approval by the Board in December. The AMP dictates the project work and investments for the following year.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET FOR BAKER NATIONAL GOLF COURSE, WITH REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF $3,155,500 INCLUDING A BUDGETED CONTINGENCY OF $67,562.

Prepared By: Howard Koolick, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff May, Director of Enterprise Operations; Brad Chock, Director of Maintenance; Kent Kloster, Golf Operations Supervisor; Kyle Stirn, Golf Maintenance Supervisor

Background:

The specifics of the 2026 Baker National Golf Course proposed operating budget are discussed in the attached 2026 recommended budget packet. An overview of the proposed budget includes revenues of $3,155,500 and operating expenses of $3,155,500 including a contingency of $67,562.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

2026 Baker National Proposed Budget.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET FOR EAGLE LAKE GOLF CENTER, WITH REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF $1,243,000 INCLUDING A BUDGETED CONTINGENCY OF $34,953.

Prepared By: Howard Koolick, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff May, Director of Enterprise Operations; Brad Chock, Director of Maintenance; Troy Nygaard, Golf Operations Supervisor; and Mark Boonstra, Golf Maintenance Supervisor.

Background:

Eagle Lake Golf Center is the home of The First Tee for Three Rivers Park District. The specifics of the proposed operating budget are discussed in the attached 2026 recommended budget packet. An overview of the proposed budget includes revenues of $1,243,000 and operating expenses of $1,243,000 including a contingency of $34,953.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

2026 Eagle Lake Proposed Budget.pdf