Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the February 19, 2026, 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. 26-01; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO HOWARD KOOLICK UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

Background:

Howard Koolick began his career with the Park District on January 15, 1997, when he was hired as the Finance Manager. Through some organizational restructure and promotion, he became the Director of Finance and our Chief Financial Officer on June 1, 2006.

Over Howard’s almost 30 years, he has been critical and instrumental in building, implementing and managing secure and sound financial management. This is evident in the Park District’s securing a AAA bond rating and receiving the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the past 36 years.

Over Howard’s career it is difficult to know how many millions of dollars he has secured through bond issuances, but it can be seen in the wonderful capital improvements we have been able to accomplish.

In addition to securing the funding, Howard has also been the eyes of the organization as our Risk Management guru looking for potential hazards.

One of Howard’s greatest traits is his ability to build relationships. Howard is well-loved District-wide and has had a great relationship with the Board. His honesty, his ability to describe difficult things easily, and his great sense of humor have made him a joy to work with.

While Howard began his retirement in June, he will be fully retired at the end of February. We wish him and his family all the best in his “full” retirement.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Howard Koolick.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-02; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO ZAK KETTERSON FOR REPRESENTING MINNESOTA AT THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IN CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING.

Prepared By: Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent

Background:

Zak Ketterson, a Bloomington, MN native, was named to the 2026 Winter Olympic Team in cross-country skiing and is currently competing in multiple events at the Olympics in Italy. Zak grew up cross-country skiing in the West Metro including Hyland Lake Park Reserve and skied for Bloomington Jefferson High School. Zak is an outstanding role model, inspiring local youth to get outside, be active and embrace the sport of cross-country skiing.

The attached resolution of appreciation is presented for Board consideration, recognizing Zak’s contribution representing Minnesota at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and inspiring youth to engage in an outdoor winter activity.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Zak Ketterson.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Background:

• 2026 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar attached.
• Calendar of 2026 Meetings and Events attached.

Attachments:

2026 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar.pdf

Calendar of Meetings and Events.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE BOARD.

Prepared By: Eric Quiring, General Counsel

Background:

During the January 15, 2026 Board meeting, the Board proposed and discussed amendments to the Rules of the Board. In addition, during the December Board meeting, Chair Gibbs proposed changes to the Board attendance rule. As a result, the following amendments are now proposed for approval:

• Section III. Add a clause to the end of subsection A, as follows:

"No Commissioner shall serve more than two consecutive terms in any particular elected Board Officer position."

• Section III. Add a new subsection stating the following:

"D. No later than the first Board meeting in December, candidates for Office shall declare their intent to the Board."

• Section VII. Add language to the end of subsection A, as follows:

"Study Sessions shall be conducted at least twice per year, and summaries shall be accepted by the Board at its subsequent regular Board meeting."

• Section XIV. Remove language from the end of this section, as follows:

"To appropriately discharge duties and responsibilities at a consistently high level of citizen performance, it is important that all Commissioners keep currently abreast of the affairs of the Board and the Park District. Commissioners are obliged, by virtue of their office, to represent the people they have been entrusted to serve. In carrying out their responsibilities, Commissioners should make every effort to attend Board meetings and other meetings on District business as they may be called upon from time to time. Should a Commissioner be absent for three regular Board meetings held on the third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Center in any calendar year, the Commissioner shall forfeit compensation for three months. All other meetings, including, but not limited to, study sessions, public hearings, emergency meetings, and special meetings shall not be considered meetings for the purpose of this Rule. Commissioners may appeal to the Board if extenuating circumstances exist. The Board is granted full discretion to reverse a loss of compensation and shall state the reasons for its decision."

These revisions are included in the attached Rules of the Board. The Legislative Procedures and Media Relations Guidelines are also attached for reference.

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:

Rules of the Board - 2-19-26.pdf

Rules of the Board - Legislative Procedures.pdf

Rules of the Board - Media Relations Guidelines.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 5A. Glen Lake Operating Agreement Renewal

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO RENEW THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR THE OPERATION OF GLEN LAKE GOLF AND PRACTICE CENTER.

Item 5B. Approve Consultant Agreement for Shingle Creek Regional Trail - Brooklyn Center Realignment and Reconstruction with TKDA

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH TKDA TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES FOR FINAL DESIGN FOR THE SHINGLE CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL - BROOKLYN CENTER REALIGNMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION, WITH A TOTAL HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $412,959.00 INCLUDING REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES, AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSULTANT FEE BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $454,254.90 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT (10%) CONTINGENCY WITH FINANCING FROM METROPOLITAN COUNCIL PARKS AND LEGACY GRANT INCLUDED IN THE 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Item 5C. Adoption of the Teamsters Maintenance Employee Labor Agreement for 2026 - 2028

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN TEAMSTERS LOCAL 320 AND THE PARK DISTRICT FOR 2026 - 2028.

Item 5D. Service Agreement with Conservation Corps Minnesota Effective March 15, 2026, through December 31, 2026 (Forestry)

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH CONSERVATION CORPS MINNESOTA FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 15, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $270,000 WITH FUNDING DESIGNATED THROUGH THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Item 5E. 2026 Regional Trail Grant Program

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 5F. LCCMR Grant Opportunity - Resolutions of Support: CP Rail Regional Trail - South Segment, Mississippi River Trail, Mobile Water Safety Education Program and Mobile Classroom for Outdoor Recreation

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 26-02, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LCCMR GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CP RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL WITHIN AND BETWEEN HYLAND PARK RESERVE AND NINE MILE CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL IN THE CITIES OF BLOOMINGTON AND EDINA.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 26-03, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LCCMR GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL BETWEEN 109TH AVENUE AND DOUGLAS DRIVE IN CHAMPLIN.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-04, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LCCMR GRANT APPLICATION FOR EQUIPMENT, STAFFING AND CURRICULUM BUILDING FOR THE MOBILE WATER SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-05, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LCCMR GRANT APPLICATION FOR EQUIPMENT, STAFFING AND CURRICULUM BUILDING FOR THE MOBILE CLASSROOM FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION.

Item 5G. Federal Recreation Trail Program - Resolutions of Support: Bryant Lake Regional Trail and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve Singletrack Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance and Improvements

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 26-06 SUPPORTING A FEDERAL RECREATION TRAIL PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRYANT LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL IN THE CITIES OF MINNETONKA AND EDEN PRAIRIE AND, IF THREE RIVERS IS AWARDED THE GRANT BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AGREEING TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD, ENTER INTO A SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IDENTIFY THE FISCAL AGENT AS THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 26-07 SUPPORTING A FEDERAL RECREATION TRAIL PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE MURPHY-HANREHAN PARK RESERVE SINGLETRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL IN THE CITY OF SAVAGE AND CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP AND, IF THREE RIVERS IS AWARDED THE GRANT BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AGREEING TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD, ENTER INTO A SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IDENTIFY THE FISCAL AGENT AS THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

Item 5H. Board Minutes of January 15, 2026

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 15, 2026, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

Item 5I. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended February 12, 2026

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 12, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,602,143.67.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO NEGOTIATE PUBLIC TRAILWAY EASEMENT PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE PARTIES AS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE BRYANT LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL PROJECT.

Prepared By: Josh Bowe, Senior Manager of Engineering, Interim Director of Design

Background:

At the July 2025 Board Meeting, the Park District entered into a consultant agreement with Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) for final design through bidding of the Bryant Lake Regional Trail along Baker Road (CSAH 60) and Rowland Road between Minnetonka Boulevard (CSAH 5) and Bryant Lake Regional Park.

The project design has reached the point where staff can now begin securing permanent and temporary easements from private parties as needed to complete the project. SEH and Park District staff have made initial contact with landowners through Early Notification Letters sent to properties requiring an easement. Staff are working on the maps and appraisals to obtain the necessary easements. A summary of the anticipated number of easements from private properties are shown below.

Bryant Lake Regional Trail:

Permanent Easements Anticipated: 15

Temporary Easements Anticipated: 78

The Board will be asked to consider approval of the easement agreements at future regularly scheduled Board Meetings.

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:

20250106_TBL_ContextMap.pdf

20250211_TBL_Map_Final.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Prepared By: Shaan Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer

Background:

The United States Treasury Department discontinued the production of new pennies for circulation in the United States on November 12, 2025. The Federal Reserve will continue to distribute their inventory of pennies to banks, and banks will process requests for pennies until their supply runs out. Staff do not know exactly when pennies will no longer be available, but seek to proactively manage this change for all Three Rivers Park District point-of-sale locations as soon as possible.

Recommendations for Pricing Changes

To address this challenge, the Superintendent and staff plan to implement a strategy that would change all pricing to include both the core price and the sales tax in the total price, and then round the total price to avoid penny transactions.

• Specifically, for all annual and day passes, such as for cross-country skiing, archery, boat trailers, disc golf, horse trails, photography, and snowmobile trailers, the current plan is to round the total cost including sales tax to a whole dollar amount, thereby eliminating the need to have transactions with pennies.
• For all facilities rentals, the plan is to round the total cost including sales tax to a whole dollar amount.
• For all equipment rentals and inventory items, the plan is to round the total cost including sales tax to the nearest $0.25 unless the item is exempt from sales tax, such as clothing.

Timeline

The current plan is to have new pricing implemented in mid to late March. From a communications perspective, changes about pricing would be posted on the Three Rivers Park District public website and physical signage would be updated at park locations.

Relationship to the System Plan:

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

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

by managing the Park District's financial affairs in a fiscally responsible manner.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Background:

The Superintendent (or designee) will provide a verbal update to Commissioners on current Park District legislative initiatives. A copy of the 2026 Legislative Platform is attached for Commissioners’ reference.

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 Legislative Platform.pdf