Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the November 13, 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. 25-22; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO AMY GURSKI UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

Background:

Amy Gurski joined Three Rivers on January 22, 2001, as a Civil Engineer. She was promoted to Senior Manager of Engineering in 2003, and in 2012 became the Director of Design.

As the new Civil Engineer, one of Amy’s first projects was to update all of the old pit toilets in the parks to the sweet-smelling CXT versions we all know and love. Luckily Amy was soon given more engaging projects such as Gale Woods Farm development, redevelopment of the Elm Creek swim pond and buildings, and the creation of the Park District’s Pavement Management Program – an innovative system that inventories all pavement surfaces, establishes lifecycle maintenance schedules, and enables long-term forecasting and informed decision making.

As Director of Design, Amy has led a team of engineers, architects and landscape architects in designing and building many of the iconic fixtures of the Park District, including Mississippi Gateway, Hyland Hills Chalet, Hyland Nordic Ski, the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the creative play areas at French and at Baker. Amy and her team also have designed and built numerous federally funded regional trail construction projects and hundreds of stewardship projects.

Amy brought design engagement to new levels as exemplified by her leadership on the French Creative Play Area. She brought in a task force of third-graders to help design the play area and to have an on-going learning experience about the design/construction process, as well as learning about working in the parks and recreation field.

Amy is so proud of her staff, describing them as “Rock Stars” of the development world. As a Director, she has invested in their career growth, and aligned their drivers with their work environment, project types, talents, interests, and values.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amy is known for her expertise in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt, her advocacy for equity, her fierce sense of humor, and the wisdom that stems from being an engineer. Her motto is “Live your life in the present. Appreciate it. Have no regrets.”

Amy is a respected leader, a trusted colleague, and a cherished friend who will be deeply missed by all who have had the privilege of working with her. Amy’s last day of work will be November 19, 2025.

The attached Resolution of Appreciation is presented for Board consideration, recognizing Amy’s service to the 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

Attachments:

Amy Gurski Resolution of Appreciation.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.

• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Enterprise - $7,358.09 as an undesignated donation to Three Rivers Park District.
• Richard and Sandra Drapeau, Victoria - $7,000 for a tribute bench at Carver Park Reserve.
• Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists - $2,200 designated for trail maintenance and the purchase of TrailArmor product.
• Ascentek - $940 directed to Gale Woods Farm.
• Nancy Benzinger, Champlin - $500 designated for Wildflower signage at Elm Creek Park Reserve.

The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides ongoing support to the Park District through partnerships and directed donations. In October 2025, the Three Rivers Park District Foundation conveyed $60,083.39 for various purposes, including:

• Jeff Johnson - $7,000 for a tribute bench at Carver Park Reserve.
• Various Donors - $6,850.04 directed to Carver Park Reserve in memory of Laura Wood.
• Summerbration Check Presentation - Don Winters, Foundation President, and Chris Boyer, Executive Director, will present a check for $46,233.35, to the Park District. These funds were raised at Summerbration 2025 through the Fund-A-Need and Giving Tree to be used to purchase bicycles and biking equipment for bike rental stations and to support the Camping 101 program. They will also provide an update on the Foundation's operations and upcoming events.

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. 3 attached.
• Hyland Mountain Bike Trail
• Summer Camp Update

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.

4A. Funding Request - Expenditure from French Endowment Fund

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE $12,000 EXPENDITURE FROM THE CLIFTON FRENCH ENDOWMENT FUND TO PROVIDE FUNDING TOWARDS THE DISTRICT-WIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR ALL REGULAR PARK DISTRICT EMPLOYEES.

4B. Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund Grant Agreement for the Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE FUND GRANT CONTRACT NO. PR00007638 TOTALING $477,000 IN FUNDING THROUGH HENNEPIN COUNTY.

4C. Award of Construction Contract for Seton and Arcola Bridge Repairs

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE DAKOTA RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL SETON & ARCOLA BRIDGE WINGWALL REPAIRS IN MOUND, SPRING PARK, ORONO, AND MINNETONKA BEACH TO SUNRAM CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $174,440.00 AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $191,884.00, INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

4D. Award of Construction Contracts for Gale Woods Solar PV Installation

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD TWO CONTRACTS FOR THE SOLAR PV INSTALLATION PROJECT IN GALE WOODS TO THE FOLLOWING CONTRACTORS:

1. PAVILION GROUND-MOUNT SYSTEM: AWARDED TO SOLAR CONNECTION INC, ROCHESTER, MN IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $138,600.00, AND

2. EDUCATION CENTER ROOF-MOUNT SYSTEM: AWARDED TO CEDAR CREEK ENERGY, BLAINE, MN IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $107,928.99, AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $271,181.89 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

4E. Receive Third Quarter Financial Status Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

4F. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve: Acquisition Opportunity

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000 FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY WITHIN LAKE REBECCA PARK RESERVE (PID 2911924430008) IN THE CITY OF GREENFIELD; TO ENTER INTO AN ACQUISITION REIMBURSEMENT GRANT WITH METROPOLITAN COUNCIL; AND TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $505,000 WITH LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LAND ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND BETTERMENT FUND.

4G. Elm Creek Park Reserve: Champlin Land Conveyance Agreement

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONVEYANCE AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF THE PORTION OF 12650 ELM CREEK CROSSING IN CHAMPLIN LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELM CREEK CROSSING ALONG THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE.

4H. Approval of Amendment to the Hennepin County Community Violence Prevention Grant Agreement

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDER AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $75,000.

4I. Board Minutes of October 16, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 16, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

4J. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended November 6, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 6, 2025, IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,258,669.27.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE LUCE LINE REGIONAL TRAIL BOARDWALK REPAIR IN PLYMOUTH AND MEDICINE LAKE TO ROSTI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF MINNESOTA INC. IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $487,399.25; AND TO ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $536,139.18 INCLUDING A TEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2020 AND 2024 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

Prepared By: Blake Hansen, Project Manager

Background:

The Luce Line Regional Trail Boardwalk Repair project was approved as part of the 2024 Asset Management Program. The trail has two long boardwalks across wetlands immediately south of Medicine Lake in the cities of Medicine Lake and Plymouth. The project addresses deteriorating decking and includes ancillary repairs to extend the life of two boardwalks.

Bid Results:

Advertisement for bids for this project was placed in Finance and Commerce and QuestCDN. Construction documents were issued on October 13, 2025. Bids for this work were received on November 3, 2025. There were sixteen (16) contractor plan holders of which twelve (12) submitted bids.

The apparent low dollar bidder is Equity Builders and Construction Services, Inc. from Rosemount, Minnesota with a total base bid amount of $438,236.06. The second low bidder is Rosti Construction Company of Minnesota, Inc. from Jordan, Minnesota with a total base bid amount of $487,399.25. In determining the lowest responsible bidder, the Board may exercise reasonable discretion by considering the integrity, reliability, and financial responsibility required of a responsible bidder for public work. Based on findings of past negative experiences with a representative of Equity Builders and Construction Services, Inc., and at least three recent judgments against Equity Builders and Construction Services, Inc. and its representatives for nonpayment of consultants, Park District staff have determined that the bidder does not demonstrate the integrity, financial responsibility, and reliability needed for this project. The judgments indicate ongoing financial instability and concerns regarding the bidder's ability to perform contractual obligations in a timely and responsible manner.

As a result, staff recommends awarding the contract for this project to Rosti Construction Company of Minnesota, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder. Park District staff and Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. have confirmed that Rosti Construction Company of Minnesota Inc. has submitted the lowest responsible bid and has met the minimum contract requirements for this project.

The Engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost is $828,715.00. The construction contract is based upon unit prices and offers flexibility to increase and decrease quantities of work for pay items listed on the bid form. The final contract amount may be more or less than the original contract amount.

Construction Administration Services:

Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. is under contract to provide construction administration services for the project. Design and construction administration services are funded from the overall project budget from the 2024 Asset Management Program.

Project Funding:

The project is funded with $500,000 of State Modernization Funds as identified in the 2024 Asset Management Program (AMP), with the balance funded through available 2020 AMP funds.

Proposed Schedule:

Construction is scheduled to commence no later than January 23, 2026, subject to receipt of the contractor’s proposed schedule and favorable weather conditions. The construction contract requires work to be substantially complete by April 17, 2026.

Impacts to Public Services:

In addition to the increased noise, debris, and temporary traffic delays typically associated with construction activity, impacts to public services will be as follows:

• The trail segments will be closed during active construction activities. Trail users will be able to use local city trails to avoid closed trail segments.

Public Communications Approach:

The public communications plan, following board award of the construction contract, is as follows:

• Signs notifying the public of construction and closures will be placed in strategic and highly visible locations prior to construction.
• Three Rivers will include information and construction updates on the Park District’s website.

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:

• Luce Line RT Boardwalk Project Location Map 1.pdf
• Luce Line RT Boardwalk Project Location Map 2.pdf
• 20251103_LuceLineRTBoardwalkRepairs.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET FOR HYLAND HILLS SKI AREA, WITH REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF $7,436,500 INCLUDING A BUDGETED CONTINGENCY OF $159,318.

Prepared By: Howard Koolick, Chief Financial Officer; Shaan Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer; Jeff May, Director of Enterprise Operations; Brad Chock, Director of Maintenance; Andrew Berns, Operations Supervisor; and Damon Johnson, Ski Maintenance Supervisor

Background:

The specifics of the 2026 Hyland Hills Ski Area proposed operating budget are discussed in the attached 2026 recommended budget packet. An overview of the proposed budget includes revenues of $7,436,500 and operating expenses of $7,436,500 including a contingency of $159,318. The proposed budget also includes debt service payments of $379,350 and a transfer to the chairlift fund of $250,000.

Attachments:

HHSA_Budget_Draft_2026_AB_JM-HDK (2).pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO: (1) ADOPT THE 2026 INTERNAL SERVICES FUND BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,751,460 AND (2) ADOPT THE 2025 EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,832,800.

Prepared By: Brad Chock, Director of Maintenance and Howard Koolick, Chief Financial Officer

Background:

The Internal Services Fund (ISF) is a separate fund established to support the operations, maintenance, repair, and replacement of vehicles and other major pieces of equipment. The General Fund, Special Revenue Facility Funds, and Scott/Three Rivers Operations are charged the costs associated with assigned equipment. Expenditure funding is annually appropriated from these Funds and transferred to the ISF.

The proposed 2026 Internal Services Fund Budget (attached) is $4,751,460. Included in the proposed budget information is the recommended 2026 Equipment Replacement Program totaling $1,832,800.

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 ISF Budget.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2026 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET.

Background:

A public hearing has been scheduled for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed 2026 General Fund Operating Budget. The public hearing notice is attached.

The public hearing should consist of the following steps:

1. A motion to open the public hearing.
2. Commissioner questions.
3. Board Chair opens the public comment portion of the public hearing.
4. Receive public comment.
5. Board Chair closes the public comment portion of the public hearing.
6. Motion to close the public hearing.

The motion to approve the budget is included on the November 13, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Agenda.

Attachments:

Public_Hearing_Notice.pdf