Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the January 15, 2026, Regular Board Meeting is available here.

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

Superintendent's Recommendation:

1. CHAIR

MOTION TO ELECT COMMISSIONER ____________ AS CHAIR OF THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR 2026.

1. VICE CHAIR

MOTION TO ELECT COMMISSIONER ____________ AS VICE CHAIR OF THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR 2026.

Background:

Park District enabling legislation, Minnesota Statutes Section 398.06, provides that the Board shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair at the first meeting of the Board for each calendar year. The proposed process is consistent with Chapter 398, the Open Meeting Law, the Rules of the Board, and Robert's Rules of Order.

Under the Park District’s Rules of the Board, Election of Officers is as follows:

III. Election of Officers

A. Board Chair and Vice Chair. At the first meeting in each calendar year the Board shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair who shall serve in said capacity for the calendar year and until their successors are elected and qualified. In the event the Chair or Vice Chair is vacated by resignation or otherwise, the Board, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, shall elect a Chair and/or Vice Chair from its membership. In the interim, the Vice Chair shall act as Chair.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Prepared By: Eric Quiring, General Counsel

Background:

The Rules of the Board were originally approved by the Board in 1992 and have been revised several times, most recently on April 18, 2024. The current Rules of the Board are attached. The Legislative Procedures and Media Relations Guidelines are also attached for reference.

With regard to amendments, the Rules of the Board provide the following:

XIII. Repeal or Amendment of the Rules

These rules may be amended or repealed at any regular meeting, but only after such rule change has been proposed at a prior regular Board meeting.

At the December Board meeting, Chair Gibbs raised the issue of possible changes to the Board attendance rule contained in Section XIV, which provides the following:

XIV. Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

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.

Commissioners may propose and discuss amendments to the Rules of the Board to be considered for adoption at the February 2026 Regular Board meeting.

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.pdf

Rules of the Board - Legislative Procedures.pdf

Rules of the Board - Media Relations Guidelines.pdf

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:

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.

• Perkins Capital Management - $1,050 designated to the Forests Forever Program for trees at Baker Park Reserve in memory of Phyllis Allison.
• Judy Osborne, St. Louis Park - $500 designated to Parks & Trails.
• Joanne Bartel, Eden Prairie - $500 directed to Richardson Nature Center.
• Jonathan Gombola, Minnetrista - $500 designated for Parks & Trails.

The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides ongoing support to the Park District through partnerships and directed donations. In December 2025, the Three Rivers Park District Foundation conveyed $35,389.66 for various purposes, including:

• Susan and Mary Dunnavan - $25,000 directed to Noerenberg Gardens in memory of C. Curtis Dunnavan.
• Lawrence Levine - $5,100 designated to Parks & Trails for trail construction and maintenance.
• Vaudreuil Giving Fund - $1,000 designated to Parks & Trails.
• Graco Inc. - $880 designated for Parks & Trails.
• Dale Specken - $582.30 directed to Carver Park Reserve for the Laura Wood memorial.
• Bienert Family Fund - $500 designated for Parks & Trails.

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:

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

Update(s):

• Big Year of Rivers
• Reservation/Registration Software 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 5A. Award of Construction and Construction Administration Contracts for Boardwalk Repairs along Medicine Lake Regional Trail in Maple Grove

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO:

1. AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE BOARDWALK 147 REPAIRS ALONG MEDICINE LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL IN MAPLE GROVE TO BLAKEBOROUGH HARDSCAPES IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $119,556.50;
2. ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH TKDA TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR BOARDWALK 147 REPAIRS ALONG MEDICINE LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL WITH A TOTAL HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $107,400.00; AND
3. ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $249,652.15 INCLUDING A 10% CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2026 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Item 5B. Designation of Official Depositories

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO DESIGNATE WELLS FARGO NATIONAL BANK, US BANK AND HENNEPIN COUNTY AS OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR 2026 AND TO DESIGNATE THE MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND (4M FUND) AND PMA FINANCIAL NETWORK AS OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES FOR 2026.

Item 5C. Receive the Fourth Quarter 2025 Public Safety Incident Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 5D. Designation of Official Newspaper

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE FINANCE AND COMMERCE AS THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2026.

Item 5E. Elm Creek Park Reserve - Lasher Acquisition Project Budget Amendment

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AMEND THE LASHER ACQUISITION PROJECT BUDGET FROM $560,000 TO $588,469.29 WITH LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LAND ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND BETTERMENT FUND.

Item 5F. Adoption of LELS Sergeants Agreement for 2026 - 2027

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE SERGEANTS LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR SERVICES LOCAL 296 AND THE PARK DISTRICT FOR 2026 - 2027.

Item 5G. Authorize the Superintendent to Purchase Two TechnoAlpin Snow Guns for use at Elm Creek Park

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE TWO (2) TECHNOALPIN SNOW GUNS IN THE AMOUNT OF $117,696.60 WITH PAYMENT FROM DESIGNATED DONATION FUNDS.

Item 5H. Board Minutes of December 18, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Item 5I. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended January 8, 2026

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 8, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,679,669.19.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2026 SCOTT COUNTY-THREE RIVERS PARTNERSHIP OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,930,199.

Prepared By: Patricia Freeman, Scott County Parks and Trails General Manager, and Shaan Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer

Background:

On December 16, 2010, the Park District and Scott County entered into a joint powers agreement that defines the roles and responsibilities for operations and maintenance of all regional park facilities in Scott County. The agreement requires the preparation and adoption of an annual budget. The staff listed above, along with Tom Balk and Justin Markeson (supervisors for the parks in Scott County) and other staff, reviewed operational needs and compiled a draft 2026 budget.

The budget was presented to both the Three Rivers Park District Board and the Scott County Board at a joint meeting on September 9, 2025. This meeting resulted in general agreement on the recommended budget. The Scott County Board approved its contribution as part of their overall County Budget on December 16, 2025. The last step in the process is for the Three Rivers Board to approve the budget.

The 2026 Scott County-Three Rivers Partnership operating budget reflects only one component of the cost of providing park services in Scott County. The second component is the Parnership's lottery-in-lieu-of maintenance and rehabilitation program, which is funded by state lottery-in-lieu-of funding. The third component is the costs incurred by Scott County, which are part of the 2026 County Budget. No Park District funds are used to support the direct operating costs in Scott County; all direct costs for the regional park and trail operations in Scott County are paid by operating revenue, regional funding, and Scott County's contribution. The Park District does support operations in Scott County through a variety of in-kind services including natural resource management and general government functions.

2026 Budget Overview

The 2026 Scott County-Three Rivers Partnership budget strives to continue to provide high-quality services at four regional parks (Cleary Lake, Spring Lake, Cedar Lake Farm, and Doyle-Kennefick), one park reserve (Murphy Hanrahan), and 15.7 miles of regional trails. The budget includes staffing, supplies, and services for operations in Scott County and is funded primarily by a contribution from Scott County, park user fees, and grants from the Metropolitan Council.

The 2026 Scott County-Three Rivers Partnership budget totals $3,930,199, an increase of $219,378 from the 2025 budget. The increased costs are being funded by increases in all three revenue streams listed above. The following table shows the changes between the 2025 and 2026 budgets.

Budget Changes

The 2026 budget continues to build upon the partnership's past progress by including funding to maintain existing programs and service levels. Budget growth for 2026 is being funded by the following revenue changes:

• Park Use Revenue - $69,985
  • Golf Revenues - An increase in green fees from $16 to $18 per round plus increases in most golf revenue streams based on collections over the past several years.
  • Other Park Use Revenue - A decrease in several winter recreation estimates based on historical collections that factor in the past two years of little to no snow for skiing.
• Met Council Wellness Grant - An increase of $20,964 to fund the increased cost of the Wellness Coordinator whose FTE was increased during 2025 in order to expand the wellness program.
• Scott County Contribution - An increase of $128,829 to fund the increased operating costs for staff wages and benefits, supplies, equipment operation, and maintenance.

The recommended budget includes increases in expenditures to fund continuing operations at existing parks.

• Wages and Benefits - An increase of $181,878
  • Includes funding for 25.05 FTE positions based on existing compensation plan.
  • Health Insurance increase of 9.5%
• Supplies - An increase of $5,000 for various maintenance supplies
• Contractual Services - An increase of $29,400
  • Fleet Maintenance - $25,000 for increased costs of fuel and maintenance of equipment and vehicles used to maintain parks.
  • Utilities - $4,400 for various utilities at Cedar Lake Farm
• Other - An increase of $3,100 in credit card fees based on increased usage by park guests.

Staffing

The 2026 budget includes an increase of the park wellness programmer from 0.5 FTE to 0.8 FTE funded by the Met Council Wellness grant. The following is a summary of the 2026 budgeted full-time equivalent positions and temporary hours.

Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program

The 2026 Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program is funded by the portion of the Lottery-in-lieu- of funding that is not allocated to the partnership operating budget. Staff estimates this amount will be $128,600. These funds, along with any unspent funds from prior years, will be used for park maintenance and rehabilitation, special maintenance projects, natural resource projects, and small equipment as needed.

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:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2026 HYLAND-BUSH-ANDERSON LAKES OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $402,727.

Prepared By: Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent and Shaan Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer

Background:

On December 19, 2024, the Board of Commissioners approved a five-year agreement with the City of Bloomington whereby the Park District will operate the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve starting in 2025 and ending in 2029. Bloomington retains its ownership of the land and has pledged all regional park revenues it receives to the Park District. The existing Park District operations in Hyland Lake Park Reserve including cross-country skiing, the creative play area, boat rental, and the boat launch will continue to be included in the District's General Fund.

A new fund was created in 2025 to account for revenue and expense activity associated with this agreement and operating the portion of the park reserve that was previously operated by the City of Bloomington. To provide financial control and track the revenues and expenses associated with operating the Bloomington-owned portion of the park reserve, a variety of staff have worked together to prepare this operating budget.

2026 Budget Overview:

The 2026 Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes budget is designed to provide maintenance, recreational opportunities and natural resources management for all regional facilities previously operated by the City of Bloomington.

The agreement provides for an annual contribution from the City of Bloomington along with the Park District receiving Bloomington's allocation of Met Council operation and maintenance grants. In addition, the Park District will receive all revenue related to the rental of the picnic shelters, the bandshell, and canoe racks. Expenses required to operate the new facility include two full-time maintenance staff, a variety of seasonal maintenance and operational staff as well as supplies and contracted services for maintenance and natural resources management.

The proposed 2026 Bloomington budget (attached) $402,727. Our goal is to maintain and build on the services that were provided for in 2025.

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

Attachments:

2026 Bloomington Operations Budget (1).pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.

Prepared By: Mandy Whiteside, Associate Superintendent, Engagement and Visitor Experience; and Jason McGrew-King, Intergovernmental Relations and Communications Supervisor

Background:

At the beginning of each Legislative session, the Board of Commissioners adopts a Legislative Platform (attached), which identifies legislative issues that are supported and monitored during the upcoming Legislative session in an effort to maintain the operation of Three Rivers Park District. Adoption of the Platform is a starting point for Three Rivers’ governmental relations efforts for the Legislative session, which will begin on February 17, 2026.

The following topics concerning Three Rivers Park District are included in the Platform:

Capital improvements

The upcoming session is the second year of the legislative biennium, which traditionally is a “bonding year” when the Legislature considers a large omnibus bill to fund capital improvements throughout the State of Minnesota.

Three Rivers has prioritized a request for $24 million in state capital improvement funding for improvements to the regional trail network. The project will expand and improve Three Rivers’ regional trail network in recognition that it is a critical component of the non-motorized active transportation network. The $24 million in state bonds would leverage more than $25 million in federal funds that have been committed to the project, and the request is scalable depending on the level of funding the Legislature deems is available.

In addition to the regional trail system improvements, the Legislative Platform includes a provision describing the importance of capital improvement funding for repairs to the Coon Rapids Dam. Inspections conducted in 2021 and 2024 identified repairs that are necessary for the continued operation and functionality of the dam. Under terms of the joint powers agreement between Three Rivers Park District and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR), MnDNR is responsible for maintenance of the dam. The Legislative Platform indicates Three Rivers Park District’s support for an appropriation to MnDNR to fund the necessary repairs to the dam.

The Platform also indicates support for a bonding appropriation for the Metropolitan Regional Parks System, which would be shared among the 10 implementing agencies and would provide funds for Three Rivers capital improvement projects.

Habitat restoration and protection

The Platform includes provisions highlighting recent Natural Resources partnerships, including the collaborative effort with Ducks Unlimited to enhance waterfowl habitat at Carver Park Reserve’s Lake 2 and the partnership with Hennepin County, the Minnesota Land Trust and the University of Minnesota to form the Natural Resources Partner Coalition with the goal of protecting, restoring and connecting high-quality natural resources in the region.

“E-motos”

The Platform also addresses the challenges trail providers throughout the state are facing due to the increased use of “e-moto” bikes, that do not meet the legal requirements of e-bikes, on the trails and supports statewide efforts to ensure the trails are safe and welcoming for all users.

Following Board adoption of the plan, copies will be printed and distributed to Legislators during the Legislative session.

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:

Legislative Procedures.pdf

2026 Legislative Platform.pdf