Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the April 17, 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:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Prepared By: Sierra Spicer-Zimmerman, Donor Relations and Volunteer Supervisor; Katie Brom and Rebecca Conser, Volunteer Resources Coordinators

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 and National Volunteer Recognition Week is April 20-26, 2025. This year’s six Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients have contributed a combined total of 6,747 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 2025 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients to be recognized are:

• Tom Anderson - Corcoran: Prairie Seed Collection Project Assistant and Leader; Program Assistant-Events
• Greg Doss - Brooklyn Park: Park Patrol at Mississippi Gateway, Elm Creek, Silverwood, Regional Trails, Outdoor Recreation School; Program Assistant at Mississippi Gateway, Eastman Nature Center, Silverwood, Outdoor Recreation School; Natural Resources Surveyor at Eastman Nature Center
• Laura Feierabend- Maple Grove: Program Assistant at Eastman Nature Center; Project Assistant at Eastman Nature Center; Prairie Seed Collection Project Assistant
• Anna Garritano - Minnetrista: Program Assistant at Gale Woods Farm; Animal Care Assistant at Gale Woods Farm
• Dawn Peterson - Golden Valley: Prairie Seed Collection Project Assistant and Leader; Natural Resources Bluebird Monitor; Natural Resources Surveyor; Park Patrol at Crow-Hassan, French, Mississippi Gateway, District Events, Outdoor Recreation School, Regional Trails; Natural Resources Monitor at Mississippi Gateway, Eastman Nature Center; Program Assistant at Mississippi Gateway, Silverwood, Outdoor Recreation School, District Events; Project Assistant at Richardson Nature Center, Research, Mississippi Gateway, Volunteer Office; Invasive Species Project Assistant at Richardson Nature Center; Natural Resources Project Specialist
• Jeff Siewert - Plymouth: Ski Patrol at Hyland Hills, Elm Creek; Program Instructor at Hyland Hills

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 Districts. 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 17 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 2: Parks Matter

Attachments:

Board Special Notice 4-17-25.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.

Jeanine Landswerk, Maple Grove - $7,000 for a tribute bench at Elm Creek Park Reserve in memory of Dr. David R. Landswerk.

Claire Lichy, Champlin - $7,000 for a tribute bench at Elm Creek Park Reserve in memory of Betty Jane Weiland.

Russell McCandless, Maple Plain - $3,500 directed to the First Tee Program.

Chris Olson, New Brighton - $2,500 for recognition on the donor wall at Silverwood Park in memory of Elaine and Harold Olson.

The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides ongoing support to the Park District through partnerships and directed donations. In March 2025, the Three Rivers Park District Foundation conveyed $25,202.50 for various purposes, including:

Warren Weck - $13,000 directed to Forests Forever.

Fredrikson-Byron Foundation - $4,000 for the Pathways Internships handbook project.

Thomas Randall - $1,000 directed to Silverwood Park.

C.H. Robinson - $667.50 directed to Park & Trails.

Marc Donnelly - $535 directed to Ski Patrol at Hyland Hills Ski Area and Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Scott & Melanie Lund - $500 directed to Parks & Trails.

G & M Wolfson - $500 directed to Elm Creek Park Reserve in memory of Matthew Wolfson.

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.

Attachments:

2025 Proposed Board Meeting and Study Session Calendar.pdf

Calendar of 2025 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. Receive Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Construction Progress Update

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

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

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4C. Receive Fourth Quarter Financial Status Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4D. Hennepin County Cost Participation Grant Program Requests

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SEEK HENNEPIN COUNTY GRANT FUNDING FOR YEARS 2026, 2027, and 2028 TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM.

Item 4E. Eagle Lake Regional Trail: MnDOT Limited Use Permit (Hopkins Crossroads/I-394)

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT TO ENTER INTO A LIMITED USE PERMIT FOR A PORTION OF THE EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL WITHIN MNDOT TRUNK HIGHWAY 394 RIGHT-OF-WAY IN THE CITY OF MINNETONKA AND TO APPROVE ASSOCIATED MNDOT LIMITED USE PERMIT # 2789-0276.

Item 4F. Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail Agreement: Shorewood Trailhead Agreement Amendment #1

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LAKE MINNETONKA REGIONAL TRAIL SHOREWOOD TRAILHEAD COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.

Item 4G. MnDOT Authorization to Administer Federal Funds for all Federal Aid Construction Projects

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-08 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT TO ENTER INTO AGENCY AGREEMENT NO. 1059722 WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ACT AS THE AGENT FOR THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT IN ACCEPTING FEDERAL AID FUNDS FOR ALL FEDERAL AID CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT.

Item 4H. Award of Construction and Construction Administration Contracts for Elm Creek Pavement Rehab, Expansion and Accessibility Improvements Project

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO:

1. AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE ELM CREEK PAVEMENT REHAB, EXPANSION AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN MAPLE GROVE AND DAYTON, MN TO NEW LOOK CONTRACTING, INC IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $2,983,860.05;
2. ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR THE ELM CREEK PAVEMENT REHAB, EXPANSION AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN MAPLE GROVE AND DAYTON, MN WITH A TOTAL HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,000.00; AND
3. ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $3,590,246.06 INCLUDING A TEN % CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDING FUNDING FROM A 2024 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL RECREATION OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT GRANT SG-24P2-09-02.

Item 4I. HUD Federal Grant Agreement for the Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE HUD GRANT AGREEMENT B-24-CP-MN-1220 AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT AS THE SIGNATORY TO THAT AGREEMENT.

Item 4J. Award of Construction Contract for West Mississippi River Regional Trail Bituminous Trail Pre-Repairs

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE WEST MISSISSIPPI RIVER REGIONAL TRAIL PRE-REPAIRS PROJECT IN BROOKLYN PARK, MN TO HANSON PAVING IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $155,833.50 AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $171,416.85 INCLUDING A TEN % CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GRANT SG-25P4-09-07.

Item 4K. Board Minutes of March 20, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 20, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

Item 4L. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended April 10, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 10, 2025, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,615,083.06.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

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

Prepared By: Kelly Grissman, Director of Planning

Background:

Staff will provide additional background on Three Rivers' acquisitions and related processes, funding sources, and commitments (See Attached: Acquisition Summary Presentation).

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:

Acquisition Summary Presentation

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 2025 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:

2025 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