Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the April 16, 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:

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

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

Background:

Recognition of Scout Awards Completed in 2025

The Board wishes to acknowledge the eight scouting award projects completed this past year in Three Rivers parks. These projects were completed with the help of 136 volunteers who provided 705 hours of service in 2025.

Following is a brief description of each of the projects that were completed last year.

• Sam Daniels, Plymouth - Built a fire ring and wooden benches at Lake Auburn Campground for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Gavin Durrant, Excelsior - Constructed a flagstone path and built wooden benches for use at Monarch Singletrack Trailhead for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Cooper Hensley, Minnetonka - Built wooden benches for use at Baker Outdoor Learning Center for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Alexander Kandiko, Chaska - Built a fire ring and wooden benches at Lake Auburn Campground for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Evan Palmer, Shorewood - Built two Ski Patrol toboggan shelters at Hyland Hills Ski Area for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Adden Palumbo, Rogers - Built a firewood shed at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Carsten Smith, St. Anthony - Constructed a little free pottery library at Silverwood Park for an Eagle Scout Award.
• Ty Trok, Long Lake - Rebuilt a foot bridge at Baker Outdoor Learning Center for an Eagle Scout Award.

Scouts who are interested in completing their award project in the Park District contact park staff to identify and vet project ideas. Staff provide input and approval of the project location and details prior to the work getting underway. We appreciate the efforts of these scouts and their volunteers for completing these projects that will improve and enhance the visitor experience in our parks for years to come.

Relationship to the System Plan:

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

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Prepared By: Sierra Spicer-Zimmerman, Donor Relations and Volunteer Supervisor and Rebecca Conser, Volunteer Resources Coordinator

Background:

The Distinguished Volunteer Service Award Program is designed to recognize outstanding Three Rivers Park District volunteers. These recipients stand out because of their volunteer efforts during the past year and throughout the total period of their volunteer service. They represent the diverse areas in which volunteers support the Park District.

Each year, we recognize the award recipients during the April Board meeting, as April is National Volunteer Month. This year's six Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients have contributed a combined total of 4,518 hours of volunteer service to the Park District.

Each honoree will receive a framed certificate with a photo and the recipient's names are engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in the Administrative Center. Recipients also receive an invitation to have a coffee meeting with an Associate Superintendent or Director of their choosing.

The 2026 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients are:

• Margi Ambrose, Monticello: Natural Resources Monitor, Natural Resources Surveyor, Program Assistant - Eastman Nature Center and at District-Wide Events, Project Assistant - Prairie Seed Collection and District-Wide
• Trevor Chapple, Robbinsdale: Animal Care Assistant - Lowry Nature Center, Program Assistant - Lowry Nature Center, Gale Woods Farm, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and Baker Outdoor Learning Center, Project Assistant - Lowry Nature Center and Gale Woods Farm
• Henry Finke, Brooklyn Park: Animal Care Assistant, Natural Resources Monitor, Program Assistant and Project Assistant - Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
• Mike Kennedy, Bloomington: Park Patrol - Regional Trails, Carver Park Reserve, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hyland Park Reserve, Outdoor Recreation School and at District-Wide Events; Program Assistant - Outdoor Recreation School and at District-Wide Events, Project Assistant - Research
• Drew Schwab, St Paul: Ski Patrol - Elm Creek Park Reserve and Hyland Hills, Program Instructor - Hyland Hills
• Alisha Walden, Minneapolis: Animal Care Specialist - Richardson Nature Center, Natural Resources Monitor, Natural Resources Surveyor and Community Science - Lowry Nature Center; Natural Resources Monitor: Bluebirds - District-Wide

Award recipients are nominated by staff, volunteers and the public. A selection committee comprised of Three Rivers employees and volunteers select the award recipients based on their contributions to the Park District. This year's selection committee members included:

• Kent Holmes, Volunteer and 2023 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipient
• Heather Christensen, Park Service Supervisor
• Mary Morris, Interpretive Naturalist at Baker Outdoor Learning Center
• Meg Duhr, Natural Resources Supervisor-Invasive Species
• Tom Knisely, Media Relations Coordinator
• Becca Conser, Volunteer Resources Coordinator

The Special Notice that will be posted regarding the reception starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 for volunteer award recipients and their families is attached.

Relationship to the System Plan:

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

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

DVSA Board Special Notice 4-16-26.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.

Update(s):

• Recap of Donor-Supported Coop Celebration at Gale Woods Farm
• Spring Burn Schedule Update

Attachments:

2026 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar.pdf

Calendar of Meetings and Events.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 Medicine Lake Regional Trail Repair Project in Maple Grove, MN

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE MEDICINE LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL REPAIR PROJECT IN MAPLE GROVE, MN TO ALLIED BLACKTOP CO. IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $113,410.00 AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $124,751.00 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2026 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

Item 4B. Award of Construction Contract for the Shingle Creek Regional Trail Repair Project in Brooklyn Center, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE SHINGLE CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL REPAIR PROJECT IN BROOKLYN CENTER, MN AND BROOKLYN PARK, MN TO ALLIED BLACKTOP CO. IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $117,596.00 AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $129,355.60 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2026 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

Item 4C. Final Adoption of the Cleary Lake Regional Park Long-Range Plan

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE CLEARY LAKE REGIONAL PARK LONG-RANGE PLAN WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 12, 2025.

Item 4D. Receive the First Quarter 2026 Public Safety Incident Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4E. Receive 2025 Fourth Quarter Financial Status Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4F. Authorization to Pay Liability Insurance Premiums

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF THE 2026 LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM TO GALLAGHER IN THE AMOUNT OF $292,239 AND AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO PROCESS AND PAY PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS FOR LIABILITY AS NEEDED DURING THE YEAR.

Item 4G. Board Minutes of March 26, 2026

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 26, 2026, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

Item 4H. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended April 9, 2026

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 9, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,082,743.59.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO ALLIED WASTE SERVICES OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC DBA REPUBLIC SERVICES OF THE TWIN CITIES - EDEN PRAIRIE FOR WASTE HAULING SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 1, 2026 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2031.

Prepared By: Brad Chock, Director of Maintenance

Background:

The Park District’s current contract for waste hauling with Waste Management of Minnesota, Inc. expires April 30, 2026. Accordingly, bids for Waste Hauling Services were solicited through Finance and Commerce and by reaching out to local waste haulers.

Bids from Republic Services and Waste Management were opened Friday, April 3rd, 2026.

Bid results (annual cost):

Republic Services - $221,496.95

Waste Management - $222,793.52

Bidders were required to submit cost per container based on type of waste, size of container, and location. The total bid was determined by multiplying per container costs by the estimated number of pickups per year. The contract allows the Park District total flexibility in determining numbers, sizes and types of containers and does not commit the Park District to any minimal level or payment for services.

Staff recommends award of Contract to Republic Services for a nearly five-year period beginning June 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031. Waste hauling is expensed to various budgets including special revenue facilities, and the Scott County partnership budget.

Relationship to the System Plan:

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

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE TRACK MIND FOUNDATION TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A SINGLETRACK TRAIL IN HYLAND-BUSH-ANDERSON LAKES PARK RESERVE.

Prepared By: Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent - Facility Services, Maintenance and Natural Resource Management

Background:

At the March 26, 2026 Board meeting, the proposed Hyland Lake Park Reserve Singletrack trail and subsequent agreement with the One Track Mind Foundation, was discussed and deferred to the April 16, 2026 Board meeting for consideration.

Additional information was requested to provide background for this project. To aid in the discussion and consideration, a report is attached that provides background on history of mountain biking in the Park District, overall approach to planning and developing singletrack trails, considerations for Hyland, 80/20 policy and implications for Hyland, public engagement and next steps.

The agreement is before the Board for consideration.

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:

Hyland MTB Background Report.pdf

TRPD_OTM_Agreement_04162026.pdf

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

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Background:

Commissioners are encouraged to share announcements and discuss ideas for future topics of interest.

Attachments:

Board Proposed Discussion Topics.pdf