Board of Commissioners Meetings

The agenda for the July 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, 55441.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Background:

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.

Background:

Stacy Chouinard, Recreation Supervisor at the City of Crystal and representative of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Awards Committee, will present the Park District with the following MRPA Awards of Excellence:

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-14; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO NORA GOHMAN UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

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

Background:

With heartfelt appreciation, we recognize Nora Gohman for over 26 years of dedicated service to Three Rivers Park District.

Throughout her career, Nora supported nearly every corner of the organization—from the Superintendent’s Office to Planning, Special Services, Communications and Donor Relations. Her willingness to assist and compassionate demeanor have made her an invaluable part of our team.

Most recently, Nora played a key part in stewarding generous contributions from our community and putting those donations to work—helping direct hundreds of thousands of dollars toward conservation, expanding access to nature and the growth our various Tribute Programs that honor those who cherished our parks.

We are deeply grateful for Nora’s many contributions and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement!

The attached Resolution of Appreciation, is being presented for Board consideration, recognizing Nora Gohman's contributions to the Park District.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Nora Gohman.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-15; A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO SUSAN KOCH UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT.

Prepared By: Howard D. Koolick, Chief Financial Officer

Background:

Susan Koch joined the Park District revenue team in October of 1997 where she has spent the last 27 and three-fourths years. She began as a part-time non-benefitted Revenue Technician and was promptly promoted to a benefitted Revenue Analyst 10 months later after demonstrating the ability to learn quickly and handle complex issues. In November of 2006, she was promoted to Revenue Supervisor where she continued to excel. Her position was upgraded to Revenue Manager in March of 2011 in recognition of the increased responsibilities and complexity in her position. In 2015, her position was again upgraded, this time to her current title of Treasury Manager, to recognize the impact of technology on her responsibilities and the increased knowledge needed to lead the revenue team.

Susan's greatest asset is her knowledge of each site's revenue handling particulars and the personal relationships she has built with the site supervisors. Whether it is a golf course, nature center, visitor center or ski facility, Susan knows the issues they are facing and is often consulted by a variety of staff when problems or issues arise.

Attachments:

Resolution of Appreciation to Susan Koch.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.

• William R. George Trust - $86,057.22 as an undesignated, estate gift to Three Rivers Park District.
• TurtlTracker - $2,000 directed to the Wildlife donation fund for Blanding's Turtle conservation.

The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides ongoing support to the Park District through partnerships and directed donations. Don Winter and Chris Boyer from the Foundation will be attending the Board meeting to present a general update and share an invitation to their annual fundraising event, Summerbration, to be held on August 14th at the Hyland Hills Chalet.

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.

Updates:

• Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Operational Update

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 Second Quarter 2025 Public Safety Incident Report

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

Item 4C. Amend LCCMR Sub-Grant Agreement with University of Minnesota to Allow Reimbursement for Travel Expenses Associated with the Karner Blue Butterfly Research Project

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO A $241,000 LCCMR GRANT SUB-AWARD CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOR KARNER BLUE BUTTERFLY RESEARCH, ADDING TRAVEL EXPENSES AS AN ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENT ITEM.

Item 4D. Funding Request - Expenditure from French Endowment Fund

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE $7,000 EXPENDITURE FROM THE CLIFTON FRENCH ENDOWMENT FUND TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR FINANCE STAFF IN THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK DISTRICT'S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

Item 4E. West Mississippi River Regional Trail: FLAP Grant Application Approval

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SEEK FEDERAL LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM (FLAP) FUNDING FOR 2029 TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST MISSISSIPPI RIVER REGIONAL TRAIL (MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL) IN CHAMPLIN, MN.

Item 4F. Authorize the Superintendent to Enter into a Contract with Richfield Plumbing for Plumbing Improvements at Elm Creek Park

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR PLUMBING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE RESTROOM NEAR THE ELM CREEK PLAY AREA AND THE RESTROOM NEAR THE ELM CREEK ACORN SHELTER TO RICHFIELD PLUMBING IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $107,429. FUNDING FROM THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Item 4G. Board Minutes of June 12, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 12, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

Item 4H. Approval of Claims for the Period Ended July 10, 2025

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 10, 2025, IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,384,557.34.

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO:

1. AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE NINE MILE CREEK TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION FROM MN RIVER BLUFFS TRAIL TO 7TH ST S IN HOPKINS, MN TO ASHWILL COMPANIES IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $711,239.56;
2. ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR NINE MILE CREEK TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION FROM MN RIVER BLUFFS TRAIL TO 7TH ST S IN HOPKINS, MN WITH A TOTAL HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,731.00; AND
3. ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $1,020,767.62 INCLUDING A TEN % CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDING FUNDING FROM A 2024 AND 2025 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL LEGACY GRANT (SG-24P2-09-03, SG-24P5-09-08) AND FEDERAL STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP) FUNDS.

Prepared By: Katie Warner, Project Manager

Background:

The project includes reconstruction of 0.45 miles of trail along 11th Avenue S in Hopkins, MN between Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail and 7th Street S (See attached Project Location map).

Bid Results:

Advertisement for bids for this project was placed in Finance and Commerce, MNDOT's eAdvert site and QuestCDN. Construction documents were issued on May 23, 2025. Bids for this work were received on June 13, 2025. There were fifteen (15) contractor plan holders of which eleven (11) submitted bids (See attached Bid Tab listing).

The low bidder is Ashwill Companies from Cokato, MN with a total base bid amount of $711,239.56.

The Engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost is $822,395.00.

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.

Park District staff and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. have confirmed that Ashwill Companies has submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid and has met the minimum contract requirements for this project.

Construction Administration Services:

Staff recommends approval of a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., the engineer-of-record for the project, for the construction administration portion of the project in the hourly-not-to-exceed fee amount of $216,731.00.

Proposed Schedule:

Construction is scheduled to commence no later than September 2, 2025, subject to receipt of the contractor’s proposed schedule and favorable weather conditions. The construction contract requires work to be substantially complete by October 15, 2025.

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 will be closed during the project to keep trail users away from active construction. There will not be a posted detour, but alternate routes will be provided on Three Rivers’ website.
• Trail users will be able to use local city trails and neighborhood streets 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.
• Construction notification mailings will be sent to property owners adjacent to the construction site after project award.

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:

Nine Mile Creek RT -11th Ave Hopkins-Trail Reconstruction Location.pdf

20250613_NMCRTHopkins_BidTab.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO:

1. AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE BASSETT CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL, LOCAL TRAIL, AND INTERSECTION PROJECT IN GOLDEN VALLEY TO VALLEY PAVING, INC. IN THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $5,410,889.58;
2. ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH TKDA TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR THE BASSETT CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL, LOCAL TRAIL, AND INTERSECTION PROJECT IN GOLDEN VALLEY WITH A TOTAL HOURLY NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $405,838; AND
3. ESTABLISH A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET OF $6,398,400.34 INCLUDING A 10% CONTINGENCY, WITH FINANCING FROM THE 2024 AND 2025 ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING FUNDING FROM A 2024 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL LEGACY GRANT SG-24P4-09-01, FEDERAL STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP), FEDERAL HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP), AND HENNEPIN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION CIP COST PARTICIPATION PROGRAM.

Prepared By: Josh Bowe, Senior Manager of Engineering

Background:

The project will construct the remaining gap of the Bassett Creek Regional Trail along Golden Valley Road (CSAH 66) between Regent Avenue and Theodore Wirth Parkway, a local trail connecting to the Bassett Creek Regional Trail along Duluth Street (CSAH 66) from Douglas Drive (CSAH 102) to Lilac Drive and along Golden Valley Road (CSAH 66) from Toledo Avenue to Regent Avenue, and upgrade the Noble Avenue and Hidden Lakes Parkway intersections along Golden Valley Road (CSAH 66). (See attached project location map).

Bid Results:

Advertisement for bids for this project was placed in Finance and Commerce, QuestCDN, and eAdvert. Construction documents were issued on May 23, 2025. Bids for this work were received on June 17, 2025. There were nineteen (19) contractor plan holders of which five (5) submitted bids (See attached Bid Tab listing).

The low bidder is Valley Paving, Inc. from Shakopee, MN with a total base bid amount of $5,410,889.58.

The Engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost is $6,105,381.97.

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.

Park District staff and TKDA have confirmed that Valley Paving, Inc. has submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid and has met the minimum contract requirements for this project.

Construction Administration Services:

Staff recommends approval of a contract with TKDA, the engineer-of-record for the project, for the construction administration portion of the project in the hourly-not-to-exceed fee amount of $405,838.

Proposed Schedule:

Construction is scheduled to commence August 2025 subject to receipt of the contractor’s proposed schedule and favorable weather conditions. The construction contract requires work to be substantially complete by August 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:

• Temporary road lane shifts and narrow lanes.
• Temporary road detour for westbound traffic along Duluth Street.
• New driveway aprons where the Regional Trail and local trail cross driveways.

Public Communications Approach:

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

• Three Rivers will mail a construction notification letter to residents and businesses along the project corridor.
• Three Rivers will include information and construction updates on the Park District’s website.
• Social Media will be used for construction updates.

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:

20250717_TBC_OverviewMap.pdf

20250617_BCRT_LocalTrail, IntersectionConstruction.pdf