Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] hard. >> Do I have time? >> Okay. >> No. >> Thank you. I'd like to call to order the August 6 park board meeting. Uh for any of those who have been tuning in, waiting desperately for this meeting to start. Apologize for the late start. We had a meeting before this with the city manager and attorney just to help us understand um city governance and our um responsibilities as commissioners or board members. Um with that, I'll turn it over to Leslie to call roll. >> All right. Thank you. Christy >> here. >> Hanley here. Lairman >> here. >> Schultz >> here. Samurski >> here, >> Vatitali >> here, and chair Ingraham >> here. >> Okay. >> Uh, do we have approval of agenda? Does anyone have comments on the agenda? >> And just to point out, we do not have an addendum tonight. So, there's no addendum with the agenda. >> And I'll just jump ahead and ask, are there any special matters today? >> There are no special matters. >> So, motion to approve the agenda by someone. >> I'll motion to approve the agenda. Second. All right. Uh Christy, >> approve. >> Hanley, >> approve. >> Larman, >> approve. >> Schultz, >> approve. >> Samurski, >> approve. >> Vitali, >> approve. >> Chair Ingram, >> approve. >> All right. >> Okay. We have item four, approval of minutes. Um, you've already had a chance to review those. I I will just comment this is the first time we've had new administrative policy around the minutes were taken. So they might have read a little differently than in the past. Um but the the same process that's being done with the city council is being used for our meetings. So I found them a little bit more truncated in areas where Kathy was really good at capturing everything. But I think from my perspective they captured the the the meeting in >> but any comments questions on the minutes? Is a motion to approve the minutes? I move to approve the minutes. >> I'll second. >> All right. Uh Christy, >> abstain. >> Hanley, >> approve. >> Larman, >> approve. >> Schultz, >> approve. >> Samurski, >> approve. >> Vitali, >> approve. And Chair Ingraham, >> approve. So now we're at item five. the citizens wishing to discuss items not on the agenda. Do we have any people here tonight that want to bring anything up that's not on the agenda? Okay, that doesn't appear to be true. And there are no special matters tonight. So, we'll go to our business items. The first item is the uh draft of the Coen Nature Preserve Master Plan. >> Yes. And so, uh thank you, chair. Um, we have Matt Kuma here, our park and trail project manager. He is going to present on a draft master plan for the Cullen Nature Preserve property. Um, and so you've seen and and probably are familiar with the property. Uh, we've done restoration work on the property. We have a restoration plan that was brought to the park board um I think end of last year if I remember correctly. And so the post plan, the park open space and trail plan, one of the action items in that plan is to complete a master plan for this particular property. So u Matt will turn it over to Matt and he can present and then I know we do have um at least one group that would like to speak after. Thank you so much. Parkour chair Ingraham. Um make sure my mic's on. So, the Cullen Nature Preserve has been a site that um I've been intimately involved with as um I've come over to the city three years ago now. Um we've been performing active restoration on the site and it's really excited um for us to potentially be opening to the public fairly soon here. So, we are underway with our master planning process. We hired um bar engineering to help. Um they're the folks, the consultancy that help with our natural resources master plan. they have a deep understanding of what it means to do ecological res restoration in a suburban setting. Um, and we thought them well suited to to assist us in this process. So, a little bit of a background, the park master planning process was a goal identified through the the post plan, the parks, open space, and trails system plan. It lays out a 15 to 20 year roadmap for planning and implementing prioritizing these park improvements. The goal is to help us figure out where we want to put our efforts, where we want our money to go, what makes the most sense for building out a park system that invites and welcomes as many people as possible. We started this master planning process earlier this year. Well, actually, it began late last year because we had an open house la late last year. Um, and it has been ongoing restoration for just about four years at this point. Um, so we're collecting feedback from citizens. This is the first version of the plan that's been pushed out to the public for comments. Um, but we've worked closely with the friends of the Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary. There's a couple members here tonight and I'll let turn it over to Gerald in a little bit to to to speak, but they have been a key partnership through this effort. We've worked very closely with them during the restoration process, both the planning leading up to the restoration and then a lot of uh work on the ground. So, I'll highlight them a little later in the presentation here again. So this master plan is really about the human use. How do we get people on site while providing an experience in a natur in a natural setting? So really we want to provide resident access to experience these native plant communities to see the restoration and process. We understand that the Coen Nature Preserve has a very distinct na natural focused sense of place about it. um that it's really not focused on active restoration or recreation, but more of a natural experience in native plant communities. Part of the master plan considers park access. How do we get people to the site? How do we get them in? And um how do we sort of create a threshold to welcome people, letting them know that they're well they're entering something somewhat special. Um we want to use the the potential design on site to support these key partnerships with friends and other volunteer communities. Um the master plan also sets out some design standards. So how we actually construct and maintain the trails for instance in the future and then signage and interpretive elements that would help explain the restoration process, the value of these natural uh native plant communities, the process of restoring. So folks visiting the site would you know understand what that looks like a little bit more. So high level those are some of the major considerations going into the master planning. This is what the cover looks like. Pretty photo of course. A lot of the images we took from the friends uh websites or I asked directly and they were kind enough to send those along. So a little bit of the history of the Anne Cullen Smith site. It was a it's a 30acre parcel. It was a historic homestead site. It was under conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust since 2005, and I'll describe that a little more spec specifically. It's been owned by the city in uh since 2015 and has been closed to the public ever since. Um it was quickly identified as an ideal site for a natural resources restoration. A lot of that is related to the specifics in the cons conservation easement. I'll get into those particulars. and restoration really began in earnest in 2022. So the conservation easement is is with the Minnesota Land Trust. So the previous land owner Anne Cullen Smith and her family um set aside the land to be protected for um uh to never be developed for housing or any other significant structures and to be always available to the public for nature observation, study and reflection. Um it the e easement does allow for parking, trails, benches on site, um some signage, some things to help to enhance that educational experience when it comes to the outdoors. And we work closely with the Minnesota Land Trust where they do yearly inspections on site to make sure we're doing the restoration in the appropriate ways. Um they've worked with us on on this document. They've seen versions of this document and understand um that it'll be folded into the easement when adopted by the city council. and um they've been s really significant wonderful partners in this whole process. So, a little context um the site is in sort of our our nexus of park areas um sort of in the northwest side of the city. So, not too far from us here um along Plymouth Road and Oakland. So, again, it's 30 acres of Upland. Um we're restoring it into Oak Savannah. Um a bunch of open sunny prairie. There is a fair bit of cattail wetland on site and there's mixed deciduous woodlands um to the north side that haven't been actively restored to this point yet, but we'll get there at some point. So, through the master planning process, we've been going through this inventory and analysis process. So, we wanted to document the current site conditions. We met on site with friends and staff and walked through and sort of got a sense of what the status of the restoration was and and sort of began to brainstorm what access to the site could look like, how we'd get people around the site to really highlight a lot of these features. Um throughout that process, we continue to refer to the natural resources master plan, make sure we were following direction in there, as well as well as the parks open space and trails plan. Um, we wanted to identify precedent sites, similar uh nature preserves that had, you know, tastefully done entry features and how they handled parking and signage and some of those considerations. Um, we've since sent mailers out to the residents starting early last year to welcome to them to an open house and to stay tuned into this process, letting them know that there'll be a draft version which went up on the Mitaka Matters site. I haven't received uh much feedback yet, but it's open for public comment at this point. There's a guest book there. People can download the document and, you know, we're happy to to take comments and answer answer questions as necessary. Um, we hosted a booth at the citywide open house last October. That's when we were just kicking this process off. And we had a a resident invite open house in December at the marsh. So, I wanted to highlight the Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary. They're a highly engaged local group. Um they really are doing wonderful things in terms of volunteer efforts out there. A lot of long hard hours um performing the restoration, removing invasive species, and hosting educational events, bird watches and surveys. They've also supported the effort through fundraising and the purchase of native seed that's gone on into the site. And they work very closely with me. I'm really lucky to have them on board. They have a beautiful website, too, by the way. So what we did through the the outreach process is ask the community to highlight what they are interested in. So setting up the conservation easement and the rules required in not building structures, not turning it into a ball field, those sorts of things. But we showed precedent images and try to give a folks a sense of um what's possible on site and where their interests might lie. So, we have some boards in the master plan document that showcase where sort of consensus ended up settling on some of these things. Um, the the document's way more detailed than I can get in this presentation here, but it describes a lot of those features and what generally we were hearing from the public in terms of the aesthetics, the overall vibe that they were interested in on this site. So, the key features for consideration would include parking. How do we get people near the site in an accessible manner so folks can easily enter the site and do their walking, their nature observation? Um the appropriate amount of parking. We need to understand, you know, how often this site's going to be used, the general um nature of the use, the walking trails, and how much parking would be appropriate for our city. Um trail locations, how to accommodate them, that they don't contribute to erosion. Um there's certainly features within the the restoration that can highlight um some overlooks or different plant communities and we want the trail system to accommodate um that experience. And then some smaller overlook and gathering spaces where people could congregate, where an educational event could have a speaker to talk about birds or plant communities, for instance. and general rustic low input overlooks like benches that that showcase the the quite beautiful vistas out there. So for the parking concept, we have um one, two, three, four, five stalls, one DA one ADA stall proposed as a concept out on Oakland Road. So it's a relatively modest amount. Um we know that there's going to be walkers crossing Oakland from that sidewalk on the east side. We're proposing a a little bit of green infrastructure to demonstrate um a rain garden and capture of storm water runoff through that area. And a real key feature would here would be um an entry feature that would accommodate bike racks, anformational kiosk, what the site's about, um you know, a boot scrape, um you know, a thank you and a welcome essentially. opportunities for engagement via volunteerism and through the friends group. Um so high level concept at this point we think a a modest on-road parking lot would accommodate the the daily traffic of folks wanting to come here to walk. Um to that end there is additional parking on me at Meadow Park which is about a half a mile south down Oakland. Unfortunately, it's up a bit of a a fairly, you know, sizable slope up the road there. So, it's a little bit far away. Um, but we would consider it a distant overflow parking. So, fairly modest parking at this point in the conceptual stage. Um, this entry feature would, as I mentioned, sort of provide a welcoming, a sense of welcoming and a chance to highlight some of the the purpose of the site and what it's all about. Um so we have some precedent in in the city here. We have this crane lake preserve structure. This is quite you know a large substantial structure but the architecture the the general aesthetics the materiality of a feature like this. The tasteful simple um text for instance something that would indicate that you're you're moving through a threshold from you know your day-to-day life into this nature preserve. So you sort of walk through a gateway. The details of this design would happen after the master plan when we get into um detailed construction documents. So overall, there's uh quite a network of trails we're proposing. Um both a an accessible trail that would be made out of compacted granite material um generally wide enough um for accessibility to some of the key overlook features and then loops of earthn foot paths through the rest of the site. So concepts in terms of the gathering spaces and the overlooks. The easement requires us to use low input materials, stone, wood. They want you to avoid certainly plastics or man-made objects that detract from the overall view sheds and the and the experience of being out in nature. So, um, so the master plan hosts some pictures of this sort of aesthetic, you know, simple stone benches and and and concepts that would, you know, be appropriate on the site out there. So, a little bit of um onsite visualization of what these spaces in terms of their general aesthetics and and size as they fit in the landscape. And again, that trail loop. Um we also are proposing two boardwalk sites. So, those are those orange um lines that come out of the upland areas through the cattail marsh there. That would be an opportunity for us to get out into the wetland a little bit. Wetlands are a big component of our park systems. Um, we have a lot of open space that's wetlands. And that would allow for folks to get off out of the prairie a little bit and into these these wetter plant communities. It would allow us to highlight some wetland restoration around these boardwalks. Um, boardwalks need to be designed thoughtfully for longevity and maintenance. Um, so there'd be a lot of consideration in terms of the materials that would go into these to balance that that longevity but also fitting into the characteristics of the materials were we're require required to use on this site. Um, we would propose trails using sustainable trail guidelines. So this is getting these trails in a way that don't go directly down gradient or upgradient that would cause erosion. They follow contour lines. Um there's general standards in terms of how you would shape the land and restore it with native plants to sort of accommodate that that walking in the woods, walking in the prairie aesthetic, even though we'd be constructing these trails over time. You you wouldn't even realize they would just feel like cow paths walking through the prairie. So we part of the master plan is describing this mission to champion conservation values. So through in thoughtful interpretation, signage, other elements on the site, we're really um describing how this type of plant community restoration can really enhance residents of Minnotonka, their their life quality in terms of being able to get out and do this observation, this forest bathing, this breathing of the fresh air. um really establishing Cullen as a nature preserve and and its goal of providing that nature focused passive use experiences. So um really making sure that the the space is undeterred by um distractions and keep it simple and as nature focused as possible. our current funding situation. So recently we were denied LCCMR funding. Unfortunately, the legislative citizen commission on Minnesota resources. We asked for a significant fund of money to um pay for the parking lot construction and trails if the master plan was adopted by the city council, but unfortunately we were turned down for that. So we do have upcoming CIP item related to the Cullen Nature Preserve. Um but it doesn't meet all the elements proposed in the master plan at this point. Um so there will be discussions at the city council level um and through staff leading up in the near future. >> It's not do you mean you're you saying it's not enough? >> It's not enough. Yes. Yes. Okay. >> And just jumping in inappropriately. >> Uh does this mean it has to push out another year the next CIP or >> I think there's options at the city council level. Okay. My understanding. >> All right. Thank you. >> And we are looking into future grant opportunities both restoration and recreation related. >> And what about the legacy grants or is it an eligible project for the legacy? >> So in the past we've gotten legacy funding through the DNR related to the restoration work. They do have recreation specific grants which I'm less familiar with but I have been tracking those and they might be an opportunity to build the seating and the parking and the trail construction. So there are options there and we are tasked to go after as many of these grants as possible prior to asking for the money out of the CIP. So unfortunately we're unsuccessful. So we'll see what we can do from a city level >> and Met Council. Is there any funding at the regional level for Met Council? >> There's Henipin County money at least. I don't know of any Met Council specific grants, but we're we we try to stay as tuned in as possible to those opportunities. and ongoing restoration will surely continue. We have um something fairly exciting this fall. We're going to be hopefully based on the weather doing a prescribed burn out there. Um the removal of the invasive species and the installation of native plant communities, especially grasses have led to plenty of fuel out there. There are a lot of young oats that we're now looking to protect. So, um, another opportunity to showcase and get ahead of the the implementation of the trail and the site access through, you know, a big event like a prescribed burn, which get a lot of attention and make for really exciting pictures these days. Um, and the friends are continuing to host events out there and staff will be hosting events. Um, but the future restoration is of course based on budget and and time commitments. Um, so it's a slow and steady process. Certainly, it's not a a one and done where we walk away and it's all finished. It's going to be in perpetuity a process that keeps people engaged, their hands in the soil out there a little bit and their ears up towards the trees. So, this is this was back earlier this year, a picture I took in June. The grasses out there are neck high at this point. It's it's really um quite beautiful. So, that's a lot. There's a lot more in the document. I tried to hit some of the key characteristics of the master plan, but I would welcome any of your questions. >> Any questions from the park board before we take comments from >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. He's good. So, uh, I I was wondering if, um, there had been any Well, let me let me step back and say I think this is is awesome, uh, for our city. I mean, Matt, how how frequently do you know of with colleagues in other cities that basically get a brand new nature focused park to plan and create for whoever wants to come visit. I mean, it just it's just awesome. And then you see these pictures and the work that's already been done for restoration. And you know, what we're basically saying is it's only going to get better. So, uh, I'm I'm really excited and so appreciative of this gift, you know, that, um, that we have. Um, it also presents us with unique opportunities to do things that uh we we maybe don't have the uh same abilities to do when we're talking about kind of restoration or we're or when we're talking about kind of rehabbing existing uh sites that have certain limitations beyond just cost. So, we're from scratch effectively. So I was wondering based on that um was there any has there been any discussion up to this point as to why this is not uh completely fully accessible park where all trails uh are accessible. the the 3 or 4 foot wide with the packed granite uh plus as you mentioned the um the boardwalk uh for the wetland areas. Uh because again this is an opportunity to create um a truly equitable and inclusive park experience. uh and may may be uh kind of a flagship or a beacon to the things that Minnetonka wants to focus on. >> So I'll I'll take I'll be interested in your response to that. >> That's ex exactly the sort of feedback we're looking for at this point. The very practical challenge in terms of general trail construction is the topography unfortunately out there. Um that a lot of those tightlyk knit contours through here are quite steep and getting circuits up and down. I'm not saying you know engineering can accomplish anything with earthwork. Um, so this was our first stab at, you know, what would be, you know, a a an experience in terms of an accessible loop. How further we could go with that accessible trail, we'd have to look closer at retaining walls, potentially more earth work to to get to meet those ADA requirements in terms of slopes. But absolutely hear what you're saying and it's absolutely something we could look into. Yeah, I I appreciate that. I uh I don't think anybody would not anticipate additional cost, additional uh uh revamping of what the plans look like the the to accomplish this, but I think it should be a priority. Uh and um and again it's it's an opportunity to do something uh equitable and inclusive the first time and not say well we'll look at it in 10 years, right? The ADA is like 35 years old and we're still kind of saying wait we'll we'll catch up. we'll we'll get it we'll get it right for for you in in terms of our our role parks parks and wreck and so I I do I do want to elevate that. Um, I also was wondering if I didn't see this in the bar report, which was beautiful and extensive, but I and I read the whole thing, but I still didn't see any uh acknowledgement of whether there had been um well, so so there wasn't something stated about an accessibility analysis so that I couldn't then say, well, I can read these topographies only so well. >> Sure. >> Uh just to be frank. Um, but you know that that that wasn't shown. So my assumption then is there wasn't a specific uh fully detailed accessibility analysis. Um, and then you know you're in we're in the information gathering and feedback stage. Yep. >> But I didn't know up to this point if uh if you or bar had done any specific engagement with disability groups about this about design and and and that I I do I do recognize that the the best practice is is being utilized in terms of the trail uh makeup. Uh but I just was wondering uh if there's been any specific engagement with disability groups. >> We have not done that specific engagement at this point, but that's the type of feedback we're looking for and you know that's something certainly we could accomplish >> that could change this plan for the better. >> Page 19 does have the topographical lines with the grade changes. It looks like it's about 40 ft. >> Um so that's pretty significant. Um, and then you're looking at the tradeoffs and the benefits >> and and you're also looking at the restrictions from the conservation easement in terms of how extensive >> development. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's a good thought. >> Um, can I ask a question? I'm sorry. Were you were you finished? >> Yeah, I'm I'm finished. >> Okay. Sorry for now. I guess interrupt. Um, do you have a an estimate of the shortfall of funding um caused by the >> lack of getting the LCCMR grant? >> The preliminary cost estimate from bar engineering was $700,000 to accomplish everything. And that's what we asked for in the LCCMR and we're denied. Currently, the CIP has 200,000 over two years in it. >> And the 700,000 is for for trails and parking. >> That's not the restoration, but it's trails and parking. That did include restoration. Oh, >> it does. >> Yes. And >> did you get a presentation to LCCR? Were you selected for present? You were >> No, we don't. My understanding is it went very research heavy to towards the U and the state for research projects that have been federally cut. >> Thank you. >> Everything. >> Um, >> go ahead. >> Does someone else want to go for me? You want Did you get your questions answered? >> I did. Thank you. >> Um I want to talk about parking. >> Yes. >> Only five spots >> for this investment and for the amount of people like to justify >> the public being able to access it and it's not super walkable. It doesn't look like there's sidewalks to get there. So almost everyone is that a sidewalk or is that just a shoulder >> on the east side? There's a sidewalk. >> There's an existing sidewalk on the east side >> of Oakland. >> So to accomplish the sidewalk >> towards Okay. So is that red line a sidewalk? It looks like a shoulder. >> No, that's it's a sidewalk. This is a south grade sidewalk. >> Surrounding residents can walk to it. Makes me feel >> they would have to cross Oakland. >> Mhm. >> Uh yeah, >> unless they're north or south, they could walk on the shoulder. >> But no, the safe route would be crossing and then crossing again. >> Yep. >> It looks like the space there's space within that parking area that could be another five spots, but it's like a little green space or something. Well, this is the time to get an understanding what what's right, what's that balance? Um, you know, parking is expensive certainly um and takes maintenance dollars and produces storm water runoff. So, we want to make sure that we're >> full or if there's like a phase one, phase two, like if it wasn't enough, then that right side of that >> lot could be built out. There was that >> plan that would be cool. >> Yep. be, you know, phased out when it comes to curb, for instance, and be able to expand as necessary. >> Ann, did you have a question? >> I I do. I noticed there were I'm back on again. Um, I noticed that there were several sort of off-hand comments about limiting ad hoc trails that people make on their own. >> Sure. um is there seems to be quite a um Minnotonka parks have lots of those and so it seems like there's um this feeling amongst the population that it's okay to do that and I'm just wondering if there's some way to at least here to get people to stay on the path. Well, wise trail placement would alleviate that pressure. Often what happens is people see a thing or a viewhed that they want to go to and they say, "I don't want to take that route, so I'm just going to go straight across." So trying to anticipate those and avoid that wherever possible. >> Trail design, there's this concept of prospect and refuge where you're on the trail, you can't quite tell how far it it goes. you're facing in different directions as it makes its way through and you're surprised by a vista that comes up on you. So designing in a way where it's an experience and you don't just say I want to get to that spot and then there's just a straight path directly to it. >> So we try to accomplish that with some of this topographic >> fitting of the trail. >> Okay. >> And but we'd have to watch for it certainly. >> Sure. Um I I've been there occasionally helping with pulling garlic mustard and stuff and it's it's a beautiful place and I just would hate for it to be at some point all trail. So that's that's >> and that's another consideration. Do you you don't want to necessarily see somebody on a trail 30t away from you going in the other direction. So spacement spacing of the trail. >> I meant just I would like people to stay on the on the paths that that you make. >> Well, if you go out there now, the grass is pretty hard to walk through. >> So Oh, go ahead. >> Um, is it too soon to bring up dogs again? Is is there some thought about whether dogs would be allowed at all? The current >> since it's a nature thing, >> the idea to protect that nature focused element would be to potentially allow service dogs and no other dogs. >> You have to have service dogs available or not available but >> allowed >> allowed. Uh >> they're they're well behaved and don't chase after birds >> ground nesting birds >> as long as they're really service dogs. >> Yes. this. >> Yeah. >> Building on the the the question one that I have and I have not been out there yet. Um, are there a lot of pre-existing trails on the site currently with it being a private land owner? >> Our restoration process wiped any trails that were out the the Buckthornne was so dense that it was really hard to move through there and it was private property. So, it doesn't have those kids have been going out there for two decades like a lot of our parks have. um it was off limits and our our process of eliminating that buckthornne and resoing seed there's really no trails at all. There's the driveway into where the house used to be and that's it. >> So kind of a clean slate. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Before you do you have any questions or not? >> U I following up on the question about parking. Um, I know part of the secondary recommendations were that this would be a focal point for nature-based activities, whether it's bird watching, whether it's stargazing, whether it's school events. I don't know how you can have parking for five if you have a school event. They probably can't even fit a bus in there. >> Yeah, we've we thought that through. Could you pull a bus in and out? We are the engineer did do some turn radius analysis that you could get a smaller bus in and out of this parking lot >> or would we be forcing the bus to pull up, drop off, go down a meadow, turn around, that sort of thing. >> I mean, I'm hoping that this is wildly successful. I mean, I agree with that. Whatever we said this is an amazing canvas to paint on now. It's just outstanding. And if it's successful, like other parks in the city or other areas like Westwood Nature Center and St Park, I mean, they're just, you know, busy every second and their parking lot is full and there's probably 75 stalls. >> I I don't think that this is going to work. >> It's a good problem. It's a good problem, but but probably anticipate the cost now as opposed to later because I think it's going to be successful. If you build it, they will come. and five stalls is not going to be enough. That's my just sort of quick assessment. >> Okay, Caleb. So, uh, Meadow Park we've kind of alluded to, is nearby, has wonderful trails and this awesome playground. Uh, my kids and I were just there last week and, um, you know, the northwest part of the trail system for Meadow Park. Uh could potentially we could envision a way for that to connect straight into this sidewalk as kind of a closer connection because of course it would be a lot of fun if people could effectively like figure8 both uh together in in some uh connection that that we don't have an opportunity to do with a lot of other parks. So has that been brought up or discussed? Again, I didn't see it in the bar report, but it's another park, so maybe they weren't looking at that. But I do think it would be a way to effectively expand the trail option. Uh and um and yeah, you know, uh it might even provide a different an expanded type of wreck. So, uh, you know, some somebody who's trying to get a a a good a good longer hike or a a a walk jog or something can maybe enjoy that additional uh option. What do you think of that? Or has that been thought of or discussed, especially at that northwest >> trail loop? >> Sure. Well, through our trail improvement plan process, we look sort of across the park system, and that's one of our characteristics of why we would prioritize a section. Does it connect park spaces or form some sort of loop? Unfortunately, a lot of our parks like Meadow is sort of an up and down. It's a one-way route through the wetland, for instance. So whatever we can do to make that a ciruitous journey even if you're on a sidewalk, a safe sidewalk or a multimmobile trail for a length of that, we do consider that through this process. We were just focused in on Colin when we pick up the master planning for Meadow Park. That's the sort of stuff we end up. Can we link these pieces together? >> Absolutely. >> The most There actually is a trail from the northwest corner of Meadow to Essex Road. >> Yep. >> But it's quite a ways north of Cullen. I mean, the the properties immediately adjacent to Cullen are all private homes. Um, so cutting through those would not be possible. But to your point, making a loop is good. And there's not not well known, but there is a a trail that goes into on the Essex. We've had conversations internally with our GIS staff about interactive mapping that you could punch in your address and say, "I want to hit up a playground and a nature spot. >> Give me a route." And it would give you a connection of those safe routes. So, in the hopper hopefully soon here. >> Well, I I think the I'll just make a couple comments. I think the it is, as Caleb said, I think it is a great great plan. Um, it's a great uh spot. I like the blank or the canvas, new canvas. >> Um, two questions. Uh, if you can go back to the one with the trails on it. Yeah, that one. Um, is there any thought of Well, let's put it this way. The bird sanctuary island. >> Yeah. is not connected, but in the winter it would be when it freezes. Is there a desire to not have that happen much to Ann's point where you wouldn't have a path? Is that like a protected protected area where you don't want anybody on that? >> I think we would interpret it as a true sanctuary. That was part of our conversations with the friends specifically that it it we could get people close via boardwalk network and we would probably have some foot traffic going across there, but we do our best to try to make it clear that that's >> it's not >> not for humans necessarily. Not everywhere needs to be for us. >> Good. >> And you could view it from afar. Um, I'm also, uh, one of the things I like about this besides all the what it is and all the work that's put in, I like the fact that it's our first preserve. And, uh, you know, we've got had this muddled kind of concept about our major parks, which they're community parks and preserves, and they really are community parks. Uh, this truly is a preserve. And so to your question, I I would hope other than other than the occasional service dog, you would never have dogs in here. There's no makes no sense to introduce dogs into an area where they haven't been before. Um especially if the council if the council acts prudently with Purgatory's plan. Um, southwest corner parcel out parcel is a reference in the plan about potential it potential expansion. I know we don't even have this thing funded yet, but is there any value or interest in the area? You know what I mean? If you go back to your earlier map where it shows the two outs. Um, >> it's just wetland one, isn't it? The the outlast. >> Yeah, those ones. It you make a reference in the plan somewhere. It talks about the possible future. Uh is there anything there to potentially future expand into or or is it just >> one of the post plan elements that'll come up in big willow master plan that's coming is more boardwalks to wetlands. >> So I think that was sort of mentioned in that capacity. So to um Caleb's point, I think that was hinting at some sort of boardwalk potentially making that connection through there because it is primarily wetland. Um but it'd be a challenge and >> a lot of money. >> A lot of money. >> And while you've got this up on the informal trails, are you guys concerned uh is one of the concerns um informal trails coming in from whatever the subdivision is immediately north? We >> because there kind of there kind of was a couple there were kind of were a couple when I was out there a couple years ago before like you said when you couldn't find your way around at all for the buckthorn >> and that's an issue that we have in a lot of our parks obviously. So we would we would work with the local residents. Thankfully some of the friends are located in that neighborhood. Um, so we'd have some eyes on the ground to that effect, but we do our best to tastefully demark the border of the property and let folks know that this is city of Minnitonka land at a certain point. >> And my last thing would be I think uh from the preliminary or the proposed trail layout, I think you've done a great job of uh working the topography to create those trails and and it is a challenge with the slope changes. Um, and I'd like to think as a preserve and with such an active engaged interest group that uh the hint of an informal trail becoming established would be quickly, you know, squaltched by just the volunteers and other people kind of making a either a point of that. I I really think and and plus your trails already kind of hit all the high points pretty directly. So, I think it's just a great job. Any other questions from the board before we take comment? >> Gerald, I think at least Gerald, you want to comment? >> Oh, I have a little presentation. >> Presentation. Even better. >> Yes. Even better. >> But let me get set up. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. Thanks for the opportunity to present and I think your questions were were really great and I will before I start I'll address the um the parking for a second. We have a lot of volunt Oh, first of all >> I think you're on good. Okay, I'll introduce myself first. I'm Gerald Gishonne. I'm the president of the Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary. And I my presentation is is really about our group and what we've done there and how we've worked with the city and collaborated. Uh but just since you talked about parking um we do a lot of volunteer events at the preserve and what we usually do is we meet at Meadow Park because it's so close and the parking's there and there's uh bathroom facilities there. So that's where we meet. We usually do a download on, you know, whether it's a bird survey, what we're going to be doing, and then we we simply walk up. Now, if there are people who are having mobility issues, then they park at the top. And that's worked for us. You know, I understand what you're saying about the parking. We also um if you look at Westwood Nature Center, I think it's about 160 acres and this really the upland area is what maybe 20 acres. 18. >> That's 15. Yeah. So, you know, it's pretty small. >> It it's a jewel, but it's pretty small. So, um you know, but that's you bring up great questions. So, >> uh and then we you know, with the land trust, they had certain provisions about where parking could go. I think it was originally on the interior where the house was, but that would be very disruptive. So, I think the idea was to push it off toward the road. Uh, so yeah, Cullen Nature Preserve and you know, Matt gave you some of the history. I'll give you just a little bit more because I know a lot of you are new to the board. And so that was Anne Cullen Smith. She lived in the Kenwood area of Minneapolis. She was uh came from a prominent family. They were very privileged as her son says tells me. And then she and her husband got married in the 1930s and they moved out to the wilderness of Minnetonka. at the time. >> I think the family thought they were, you know, unusual for doing that, but they were very committed to nature. Next slide, please. And I think Matt had showed that slide. That's actually the house that was there. She lived until she was 105 years old on the property. I believe she passed at 106. She worked with the city, a lot of foresightful leaders in the city. She got approached by developers, but she wanted to be for nature and the appreciation of nature. She was a big birder. So birding was very important to her. So she worked with the city, got the conservation easement and you know spelled out what can and can't be done. I think some some of the things have to be updated like you know can you have drones in there for instance. You know things she wouldn't have thought of. Plus she lived so much longer from the time she first started talking to the city. But they she sold it for about half its value and just very generous. She and her family, her son and daughter are still living. Her son he lives in town. He's in our friends group. He's close to 90. He loves what's going on there. He really loves it. Next slide. Uh so I think Matt alluded to what it was like before. That's an oak there and that's you know buckthornne that was really it was everywhere. There are some deer trails, but it was hard to get through places. Uh, but we had some beautiful big oaks. That happens to be a red oak, more of a woodland oak, but beautiful oaks. So, we could working with the city, we could see the potential. And then we this was uh we got together as a group at my house and I think Ann, you might have been there. >> I was. Looks like >> I think you were there. And we said, let's let's form a group. And we formed a 501c3. and we started working I think Leslie you came on shortly after and then Matt became the project manager and it's been a great collaboration. Um, so the first thing talking about grants, Matt said, you know, unfortunately we didn't get the LCCMR grant. There was 85% increase in applicants this year, but we did get grants previously. We got a uh county grant and we got a state grant, I think, to and a one city grant to the tune of I think 90,000 and the friends put in 10,000 in sweat equity. So we we worked together. We hired uh Mike, this guy named Mike from Elely in northern Minnesota. He came down and he started getting rid of the buckthornne and the non-savannah trees. So we started with the savannah restoration. That's what it was originally. And you can see there on the left how how much buckthornne was there. This was shortly after a buckthornne removal. You can see you know it looks kind of blank there because it was became a blank slate. But savas I think are they're our most threatened ecosystem. There's hardly any. So to have a savannah even though it's small 12 acres in a city like ours with a lot of people can experience is incredible. And then the friends got busy. Uh we did hand sewing of seeds. Uh Matt worked with contractors and uh we hired here's this was actually garlic mustard removal. We did tons of that early on and it really has paid off. And then another unique thing is we do a lot of research. I know the term citizen science is used a lot. I think this is just science really. It's uh so we have a um a crew that does vegetation research. So we have a 3 meter square plot, 18 of them throughout the preserve. And I believe Katie, who's one of our board members, Katie, raise your hand please. She's great at identifying plants. So, um, we go there, someone's recording the plants, and we've been doing this for years, and we're seeing how it's changing and how the biodiversity is changing. Uh, we had an aquatic biologist out there. There is a an ephemeral or vernal pool on the island. It's a small island, but there's actually an ephemeral pool there. it dries up later, but it has he showed us through hand lens. There's little fairy shrimp in in that pool. There's probably salamanders, so that's pretty unique. Uh, and then we also do pollinator surveys. Heather Holm, who is a pollinator expert and author, has been conducting pollinator surveys and is documenting the number. To begin with, there were no there were no pollinators. It was buckthornne. It was it was dead. So it it's really gratifying to see what's happening there. And then now you look at it and you know you see a lot of the plants are freed up. That's big leaf aster. You see the oaks you know savannah is scattered oaks. It's so part prairie, part woodland and everything in between. It's a very diverse ecosystem. The the long roots of the prairie plants help sequester carbon. All kinds of advantages. And then again you see just another view and Matt had showed you some views of you know it's really beautiful there now. And uh so I wanted I think one of the best ways to show you about the effects that that the city and the friends are having and all the volunteers is through the bird number bird species. So we started doing bird surveys 2022. These are open to the public. All you need is binoculars. We use the Merlin app to identify by sound, but we also verify visually. We don't we would not count a species based on sound, but it helps us. We welcome all of you to come in the spring. That's when we do the bird surveys. They're really fun. They're led by two expert Minnetonka um birders. And so this was the our baseline. I think it says 30 36 bird species. And then you can see this is after, you know, it looked pretty barren. I mean, it was it was a little depressing at first. We thought, what's going to happen? And then the next year we saw 52 bird species, 63 bird species, and then 72 bird species. And the really exciting thing is, if you look in the upper right hand, that's a redheaded woodpecker. Those birds depend on savannah. And Bill Cullen, Anne Cullen Smith's son, used to see them when he was a kid. And as an adult, too, he'd see them, but they were gone from the site. And we we saw one there. It was there about 2 weeks. This was last year. We didn't see it this year, but our goal, our aspirational goal is to get a nesting pair there. So, it's going to happen. It will happen. So you can just see how much the bird population has changed through all the efforts the city and the friends and volunteers have been doing. And then Matt mentioned the burn. If we can do a burn this fall, it'll be great. I know Matt is getting contractor bids. So it's it's really amazing. And uh like a lot of you have recognized, this is a gem and we're so fortunate to have it. We're so fortunate to be working handinhand with the city and so thank you all for for uh listening. I I'll answer any questions if you have >> you good. >> Okay. >> Excellent work. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Oh, one other thing I want to say real quickly is um I will be presenting to the Minnetonka Historical Society in September. Be they asked me because they want to know about the history of Anne Cullen Smith in the preserve. So that'll be happening in September. If any of you ever want to walk out there, not that we can walk that much now because there's so much vegetation, please let us know. We'll arrange that. If not, bird surveys in the spring. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. There's no action we take. Is there >> Oh, I'm sorry. Question. Yes. >> Um >> or comment. >> My my husband and I would like to talk. Um I don't know if Loris might not want me miked up or not. >> Sure. >> You want to have a seat. >> If you could state your name and address, >> that would be great. Thank you. >> Press the button. >> And it's about colon. Yes. Good. >> Um, we're Clara and Randy Circum and we live at 13851 Crown Hill Lane. Um, and we border the northern part of the Cullen Preserve. Um, Matt, could you put the slide up with the loop and the trails and that? >> Yes. So we our property borders the Colin Preserve which we love and we really support the Cullen Preserve. Our concern more is the trail system that is being proposed currently. If you look at the trail system, the northwestern that kind of I think it's black or dark blue comes fairly close to the homes along Colin along Crown Hill lane. There are eight homes along Crown Hill Lane and two of the eight or 25% have been broken into in the last 20 months. Um after the open house where we suggest were, you know, voiced our concerns with Matt saying we're concerned about where that northernmost trail is. Um, another house was broken into and I talked to doc to uh detective Timothy Olsen at the Minnetonka Police Department. They said that there's transnational gangs that are coming through that park in far away spaces and walk in for these burglaries and they have basically said we can never close these cases because they just rob people and then keep moving. The most recent burglary occurred at Glenn Mason's home. the former um golfers coach and he is now moving out of the neighborhood. >> Um >> and so our concern is not the Colin Preserve. We fully support the Colin Preserve. Our concern is that we take a look at where some of those trails are relative to the houses along that just to have some bigger buffer allowing people to have access to the backs of our homes. >> Yeah. I mean these these break-ins have been largely people coming in behind the houses >> and breaking windows and entering the home in that way. So this just increases the possibility for traffic in that area. Um the other thing I would ask is is what is the plan for the border areas? I mean you cleared a lot a lot of the center areas but you have not cleared out the border areas to that extent which for our concern is helpful. It leaves snags and other obstacles to people walking through. Is the plan to leave those areas more natural as they are currently or to do more restoration there? >> The plan throughout the site would be to continue our restoration. So removing those invasive species primarily that north side is what we're calling a mixed deciduous forest. So it wasn't quite cleared by any extent like Gerald was showing in the open savannah prairie areas. Mixed deciduous. So there' still be quite a bit of trees in there. But the is the intention is to remove the invasive species out of that area. >> So the lower canopy would be visible. The >> Yeah, >> that's the one thing that Buckthornne does do is it it's a visual barrier. >> Mhm. >> Currently where the loop is the closest is actually the back of Glenn Mason's house >> and they came in from a side road and walked in behind his house when they robbed his house. >> But >> so they they came in the road that's behind the legend. >> Yes. they came in through there. >> But, you know, the issue gets to be is, as I said, we support the preserve. We love having the preserve behind our home. >> Our major concern is just how close that trail will be for to allow people to access the back of our house, see the back of our house. >> Sure. >> And, you know, just with 25% of the houses being broken into in the last 20 months is a bigger concern. >> And obviously, we can't control all of that. It just is a matter of, >> you know, where we're at. I had emailed Matt and the previous park board chair in late December after the second robbery and I hadn't received a reply and so we just decided to come here today and voice our concerns about where the path is. Are are there any security options? Um I know Three Rivers Park District does some wireless surveillance cameras. Does Minnetonka would they be open to considering anything to that? we'd have to talk to our public safety folks. And I do remember your emails being discussed by those officers at that time. >> And and Detective Olsson said it doesn't really help. He said, "We can't find these people because they steal the cars. They change the license plates. They come in with masks on fully in hoods and they go in the backs." And they said, "Even when we get them on camera, you can't identify them and they have a stolen car. And by the time, you don't know where they parked. And so by the time they get there, they've reached that stolen car. And so they don't know what to look for on the ring. You know, there's no way to find them. He said they just disappear. And he said, "We're never solving these burglaries that they do because they're completely, you know, even if you get them on camera, you can't identify them, >> which you also understand. I mean, it's the nature of it. It's just trying to prevent the initial scouting of the house in the first place." Well, it's a thank you for bringing it up. It's it's a valid valid concern. It my one comment would be I if I were a burglar, I'd still probably come in off of Indian Indian Road because it's a it's a pretty long hike. It is >> from the from the Colin parking area through the park there versus the >> the culde-sac that's right behind Glenn Mason's house. I guess that's that's but that really kind of scary if that many houses. >> And from a trail design perspective, you know, these were cited somewhat using aerial maps and some walking in the field, but it's tough out there in the current condition. It detracts from the trail experience to see a house certainly. So placing the trail in a way that does not look into your windows would certainly benefit the site and would be a goal. Absolutely. >> Yeah. My husband has walked the stakes that were there. There's some stakes back there. >> Yeah, that wouldn't have been through trail planning, I don't think. Oh, there's some stakes related to some buckthornne removal experiment work that the U of M has been doing out there. So, those might have been submers. We didn't stake anything for the trail. >> He walked I mean because like in early spring you can kind of get through there. So, he walked the what he thought was stakes for that just saying, "Okay, how like can you see me? Where are we?" I'm trying to sort it out. Yes. >> Just >> just real quick from a sighteline perspective, >> the contour map is the blue trail they're talking about uh below or above the homes >> below. So this goes up here. >> Okay, good. All right. So the visibility is not quite what it would look like flat. >> I mean, I could see him in spring. I could see my husband. So >> before everything leaked out, >> I'm sorry. Will um will there be more neighborhood engagement as this proceeds so that as this topic gets you know >> often initially when we say hey give us your thoughts it we get better feedback when people have something to react to frankly so early on we collect we expect when the draft goes out that's when we get the real rubber hitting the road feedback from folks which is what we're here for now. >> Yeah. I mean, we went to the open house and chatted with you and unfortunately we've had another burglary since then. So, just it it it makes a little bit more top of mind. So, >> this is the process. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> We do support. >> Yeah. >> Uh if there are no other comments or questions, we'll go to uh do we need to actually we don't do take any action, do we? >> No formal action on this tonight. This was just a review of a draft. So soliciting feedback from the park board. And just a reminder, this is on the Minnitankka matters web page. So there's a dedicated web page to the um Cullen Nature Preserve master plan. Uh and there is a mechanism to collect feedback as well on that page. So the public is certainly welcome to uh submit in input that way. Um but we are in that public feedback phase and so this was just a part of that. um this would be coming back to the park board as a final design um before it goes on and recommendation to the city council. So we anticipate that would be later this year. >> Great. Thank you. So that brings us to 7B. Uh we're fortunate to have Jace Alexander here tonight to give us an overview on our DEI initiatives. >> Yeah. Before Jace, if you uh just one minute chair. Um, so as you remember, uh, last meeting we did have some conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Um, and we do have our staff here, Jace Alexander and Karine, and they'll introduce themselves because there's a few of them. Um, and so, uh, we had talked about having them come talking about what they do. Um, they're sort of a division in our city. They work internally. They also liazison with the DEI commission. So, they're going to provide some information related to that and then certainly happy to take any questions. Um, this also is going to kind of um tie into in October because if you remember in September we have our joint park board city council. There'll be a brief meeting and then a tour. Um, but in October our sustainability coordinator will come and talk about the sustainability work that the city is doing. Um, we have a sustainability commission as you know. Um and so it's just a uh because obviously sustainability touches um every aspect of the city including our parks. Um I wanted to make sure that that she came in and provided some background for you guys so you know what's happening. You know some of it's outside of your purview but some of it certainly um touches what you focus on as well. um during these presentations, just think about um in terms of the park board and what you're working on um in probably in November. Um and so for those of you who've been here before, you know that there is a strategic plan for the park board. Um we'll start revisiting that in November. Um do some kind of draft um feedback and and and make some edits if needed. And then it'll come back to the park board likely in December. It will also incorporate a a 2026 work plan because the council likes to see not only the strategic plan but also the work plan of the city or of the park board, excuse me. So when you hear these presentations and think about these topics, think about that in relation to the parkboard strategic plan and what might be coming up and and and maybe some recommendations or things that you want to change not only in that strategic plan but also in the work plan going forward. So I just wanted to point that out. So, with that, I will turn it over to Jace and his group. >> Thank you. Um, so, uh, like Leslie said, my name is Jason Alexander. I'm the DEI supervisor for the city. Um, and so we thought we just come tell you kind of some of the things that we're working on. Some things you might, uh, see a correlation, be like, "Oh, that that could make sense for us." And some things you'll be like, "Oh, that's just a cool thing you're doing." So, we'll just share a little bit about, uh, about what we got going on. I'll let my uh, my team just introduce themselves real quick before I uh, get started. Hi, I'm Karen Burrell. I'm a DEI support specialist here. I work with Jace and I started in April. >> Uh, my name is William. I'm uh one of the full-time DEI interns here this summer and I began in June and will be finishing at the end of this month. >> Hi, my name is Mia Jax. I'm also one of the full-time DEI interns and I've just been here for the summer. >> Can I request that you all speak up just a little bit? There's I'm sitting under a fan. Absolutely. >> Those microphones don't actually amplify >> for us. It just helps you get recorded. So, >> we can definitely do that for you. >> Okay. So, uh as Leslie talked about, just looking at thinking about our strategic plan overall. So, uh you know, we have the six pillars. I'm in charge of community inclusiveness and um those are those bullets there are some of the the highle things that we're trying to do. Um, I think you you've talked about this and I've seen in some of your meetings and and Caleb, you just talked about this, you know, trying to make sure that uh we're creating equitable opportunities for everybody to access all the things that we have here. Um, enhancing community representation through some of the images and art that you see when you when you go through our cities or through our parks. And then um overall just trying to make everyone feel welcome and engaged. And so just some again some highlights of things that we we've done uh in community events. Uh we did expressions of blackness uh in partnership with the city of Hopkins. Uh we've had our sensory friendly uh fire open house. We uh this year we sponsored Tonka Pride. I don't know if you uh got a chance to get out there at Back Channel Brewing this year, but that was a pretty cool big event. And then uh we also had Junth here at Ridgel Commons also in partnership with Hopkins and we had Sounds of Blackness come out. Um so that was cool. It was very hot but it was but it was cool. Um and so you'll see part of the one of the things that we're really trying to work on is um you know there's only so many dollars and how can we um share them? How can we spread? And so you'll start to see more and more collaboration between us and the city of Hopkins for some of the events that we're working on. Um and some things that are coming up, we have our uh Latino or Latina uh community event. Um, that one's going to be uh in Hopkins uh at their downtown park, I believe, on the 21st is is the date we've settled on and it'll be from 2:00 to 5:00 and that will be in the Minnetonka memo. So, you'll see that come out. Um, and then World Fest is something that we're we're kind of thinking about in the works. Don't know if it's actually going to happen this year, but we're working on it. And then, uh, Indigenous People's Month, doing some kind of celebration for that. So, those are some things that are coming out externally. And then just so you can get an idea of kind of like what some of the things that staff are working on, um we participate in uh National Day of Racial Healing across a bunch of different cities and usually there's like a speaker or some kind of panelists that are that are talking to staff. Um World Day of Social Justice we do. And this year we did Women's History Month, so women in public service panel. So that was kind of cool to have um women talk come and talk about like what their path was to city leadership or government or or uh you know, wherever they are. Um, but it that was a really cool thing to see. So, we're trying to do that as much as we can for staff and we invite neighboring staff cities as well. Um, and then we also do uh so I do a lot of our training here in inhouse. Uh, prior to being here, I taught for seven years at the Blake School. And so, uh, kind of just brought that along with me. And so, I do, uh, like autism 101 training, uh, just again trying to help staff understand like what what might this look like, uh, in the workplace as, as we continue to diversify, um, and and what could you expect and how can you be supportive and and accommodating of everybody? Um, we did a Pride Month documentary about specifically about Minnesota uh, LGBTQI plus folks. That was really cool. um from PBS. And then we just had a speak up presentation. Um so giving staff tools to think about like if or when someone says something or a microaggression, what do you say? How can you speak up? What's the oneliner? What do you do? And so that's something that we'll probably actually bring out to the community. And so just keep a heads up for that if that's something that you're interested in. So we also do a lot of work with the PD. And so we have um along with the chief, we do the Minnitanka Police Multicultural Advisory Council. So that's new. I think we've had three meetings so far. Um so fairly new. Um and so that's for uh community members. That that one's an adult one. We also during the school year last year started student MAC. So we'll go to Hopkins High School specifically uh because they don't have uh an officer there anymore after Floyd they they uh they had they asked for them to leave. And so just trying to rebuild relationships there and and build mutual trust. Um and then we uh we had Junth and then night two night we were all out riding around with officers or firefighters just engaging with community getting feedback hearing hearing how things are going. Um and then thinking about again how are we recruiting um and then also working with PD to get the message out that um you know we're not working with they're not working with ICE in any way and and so one thing we're working on right now is um trying to get that same message translated into some of our top language languages here. So, um that's that's one thing you might see pop up on your feed that we're working on with communications. Uh and then we've got just some things internally. Um some gender expansive employee policies we're working on. Um a language access plan so staff know how to help folks who English isn't their first language. What's the plan? How do you help them? Um and then everyone here does uh all staff do mandatory DEI training which I facilitate and we do that once a year. Um and so currently we're doing DEI 2 and then internships. So we work with again in partnership with the city of Hopkins uh for ACE internships and you have to have some kind of barrier to access to participate in that program whether uh you're first gen or you have a disability person of color female whatever whatever it is. Um and then so I've had three ACE interns this summer and and these two full-time. So I had a whole team. So that was really cool. LA the first year I started we had one ACE intern in the whole city and now I think we had six um and we're going to get more because I keep bugging different departments. I'm like you want one? You want um again just trying to get folks who maybe don't ever really think about city government um see themselves in these roles and and what could that be? So that's been really cool and exciting. Um do you want us to give an update on the art audit that you were doing? >> Sure. Um yes. So Jayce tasked me with doing the art audit and what entails with the art audit is um we're researching to see what kind of art the city displays to the public. So looking at art here in this room is this um depicting the people in the city of Minnitonka uh from LGBTQ, people of color, children and so forth. And so there's over I want to say three almost 300 pieces of art around the city of Minnetonka in all the municipal buildings. And uh I just went out and with some of the other interns and captured all the photos and then from there on uh we had a Google form where we answered questions about is the artist listed? Do we know the artist's background? Are they LGBTQ themselves? Like all these questions about the artist and then we further dived into what does the art depict? Uh does it depict nature, people of color? breaking it down. What race and ethnicity are we assuming that these this art is depicting? And then uh is it depicting women? Is it depicting disabilities and so forth? And I guess the results were conclusive of we mainly have um 65.9% is nature and landscapes which makes >> you should like that. >> Which is good. You guys should like that. Which is great. Yeah. And then the rest just broke down to uh calligraphy and then people. >> Yeah. >> Um and so and then William here was uh was working on something that's pretty cool. >> Yes. So uh in keeping with that theme of updating, you know, what story the city tells with, you know, the art and uh information it presents. Um we have a timeline here in city hall that isn't necessarily a full accounting of city history. It begins in the 1850s um and doesn't really acknowledge fully the indigenous people that were here beforehand or the people of color that have lived in the city throughout its history and the contributions they've made. And so to that end, uh one of the goals established as part of the DEI team's strategic profile is to update that timeline. Uh and to do that we want to hire a researcher for the upcoming you know fall and spring to conduct uh research in the archives of Minnotonka and really look for those sort of uh hidden voices and stories throughout Minnitanka's history that do represent the people of color and the LGBTQ people and the people with disabilities that have been part of Minnetonka history. And to that end, we submitted a grant to the Minnesota Historical Society for uh $13,800 to hire a researcher temporarily to conduct research into the history of those marginalized groups in Minnetonka and conduct some oral history interviews with people and be able to do that research that can form the foundation of what a new timeline might look like, including, you know, excerpts from those recorded ed interviews and uh you know images from the archives and multimedia elements. Uh yeah. >> Yeah. And we were working with the um Minnitonaka Historical Society on that too. So that's been kind of cool to to collaborate with them. And then um one of our ACE interns was doing some research on um some things we can do for disability pride month. Like what what might that be for the community? What what things could we do? Um and so those are some things that that interns have been working on. And then thinking about the DEI commission. Um, so still fairly new, we're about a year in. Um, and their their mission there is to foster a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive Minnetonka by promoting diverse representation, removing barriers to access, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Uh, the commission supports inclusive spaces where all humans across all backgrounds and identities can thrive, lead, and be heard. And so they have three working groups, arts and education, planning and strategy, and events and and communication. And so as we think about um to Leslie's point, what different commissions are doing, all these commissions are doing really cool work. And so we're trying to think about how and where it makes sense to collaborate or to get um feedback from different commissions on different projects that we're working on. Um just so that um we have more eyes on everything so we all can feel like a little bit at ease like well we talked to a couple different groups and we're feeling pretty good about moving forward with this or or whatever the case may be. Um and so yeah that's the kind of long and short of it. I'm happy to answer any questions if you have any. Can you go back to your strategy slide? >> Yeah. >> I just didn't take it all in. >> Yeah, sure. I was moving pretty quick. This one? >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, the left side's the whole >> city. The whole city. Yeah. >> I got it. So, you're pulling out your part. Okay. So, the right side is the side I should pay attention to. Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Where are the parks on that one? >> Well, we have >> safe and healthy community. Uh s well there's uh livable and well planned safe and healthy community sustainability resilience and natural environment. >> So it's it's scattered throughout. >> Yeah. I wasn't trying to hijack. >> That's all good. Hey since I looked at that. >> It's a good question. It's a good question. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. Well, appreciate your time. >> Oh yeah. >> Oh yeah. I've got >> Yeah. Yeah. I've got questions. All right. And we always have lots of good questions on this group, so I bet there's going to be plenty. So um the the first thing I guess I'd ask is you know in the popular press we keep reading about how DEI is under attack in all sorts of places and um that is uh horrific and um you know uh so I'm wondering where where we're at as a city and you know your um your actual positions. >> Mhm. >> And the the continuation of the commission. Uh so that's my that's my intro question. >> Sure. Good question. Um yeah, you know, again, when we when you look at our strategic profile, community inclusiveness, um this is what the council wants and leadership is for it. we don't have any push back coming at least from from our leadership teams and so um right now feeling very good feeling safe as I said I I have five interns this summer right and so it's you know one one thing I do appreciate is um the council has said this is important our our uh leadership has said this is important and uh one thing I appreciate about the city is that uh they're willing to not only say it but put action behind it right and so um getting me what full-time help you know with with uh career coming on as a DEI sport specialist. You know, I get five, you know, interns this summer. And so, I think um for me that the proof's really in that it's, you know, they could shy away. They could say, "Oh, no, one or two or none or or what." But that that really hasn't been the case. So, I'm feeling pretty good, feeling pretty supported. Yeah. >> So, just just to follow that up, uh I'm very glad to hear that. Um I was wondering if um things that I've seen in other other uh kind of spheres would would be at all relatable or helpful and I don't know what the particulars are within the city but uh you know a mayor uh is often involved in public health realms and other realms that provide uh provide you know um uh service opportunities for all sort sorts of people and I don't know if that's an avenue that you've thought of or you've talked with uh city manager about um to have again more continuity or yearround >> kind of active >> um it's not it's not an internship I mean it's a it's a service US service program >> uh but was curious if that's been if that's been on your radar or if that's already been asked and shot down or whatever. >> Yeah. I think uh for me I I always say I'll take all the help I can get. And so I think the other uh reality even for myself is just realizing like I I've only been in this role for two years and we're I'm moving quick on a lot of things. And as we this was kind of the first summer where I could kind of like really get take a bird's eye view for a second because I had so much help to to look at like the whole picture. And a lot of what we're doing right now is creating baselines for to your point the work that we that we want to continue doing. And a lot of my focus this uh within this past year has been on the ACE program and and trying to grow it because we already have this connection. We already have everything in place to to build it. Um, but I'm not at all opposed to connecting to other folks or trying to get more help. I think one of the things too we're trying to do is work with the schools to think about is there credit that students can get for, you know, doing certain parts of a project like this timeline that we're working on or things like that. And so, um, I'm always open to ideas and and getting more help. I I won't say no. So, yeah. Jace, you've you've accomplished a lot in a short time and you have a pretty comprehensive plate here. Where do you see uh when when when do you think or where do you think engagement with with some of our initiatives of parkour would be? Is that further down the road or are there things in particular you've seen already that would be of interest? >> Yeah, and I think uh Matt sent me some stuff after after your last meeting and so I think that that's another key part of of what we're working on this year. Again, all these departments of Mitak are doing really cool work. Um, and sometimes it's a little bit siloed. And so, one of my goals is trying to figure out, all right, what are they doing with parks and and how can we integrate and and all that? And so, that's kind of newish for the city. There's lots of departments that work collaboratively. Uh, but just from a DEI lens, trying to figure out what everyone's doing and and how we can connect is one of the big things that I'm working on right now. And so, um, so if or when, you know, Matt or Leslie reach out or like, "Hey, can you look at this?" Or come to this meeting, I'm I'm always happy. I don't know a ton about bird watching, but I'll I'm happy to sit and learn and and, you know, give some feedback. >> You saw We have a diverse population of birds. >> We We're going in the right direction. other nations around. >> Yeah. Um so, so yeah, I think there's lots of opportunity and and again thinking about uh with my DEI commission and and our chair and vice chair, you know, how can we do that in in the most seamless and sustainable way? That's the other thing I'm always trying to think about um if ever I weren't here, which I'm not going anywhere, but um how would it continue on? I don't want to try to create anything that would necessarily die with me. Um and so thinking about how to do that in the most strategic way is one of the things I'm I'm trying to do. I I've got one for staff that would relate and that is sort of one of my hot buttons or not signage at Lone Lake Park. it because you know it's been hung up on I think a dialogue around what's the appropriate indigenous terminology and history to is that something that has that moved at all or something Jayce could help with or >> uh certainly something that Jayce could help with but right now it's paused because we will be developing a master plan for Lone Lake Park. >> Oh wow. >> In I can't remember the >> kick it down the road another two years >> in two years. And so we felt that that's probably the best opportunity and also appropriate opportunity to talk about signage and any interpretive features. >> Well, I think that's a good thing to think about too is in talking to uh to Mak and asking about land acknowledgements and and how do they feel about it? Uh the feedback I got was um it's kind of like a pat on the back for yourself. Unless there's action behind it, they could take it or leave it. And so being that it's two years down the line, it might be something cool to think about of like what is the action we could take to put meaning behind it because that was their ask or that you know that was that was kind of like yeah say the words if it makes you feel good but it's not really doing anything for our community and so what's the what's the action behind it would be something cool you guys might want to think about or and we'll think about in the DI commission too but it gives us a little time. >> Other questions? Um, I was just going to ask, um, are you doing any outreach to the local high schools to sort of maybe get them more involved or get them to see how DEI is an important thing, especially at that young age where they may have ideas, but they don't know how to put them into action. >> Absolutely. Yeah, we have so we have two youth commissioners um on on our commission. Um, one's a former student of mine uh at Blake and the other uh is a Minnetonka student. Um, and so those are one-year rotations. And so really trying to figure out how to who's next for that. But also, um, I would say I have a a bigger in at Hopkins High School right now. Um, and and working with PD and and just being able to get in there and thinking about like again like how do we showcase student art or or you know, all those fun things. And so that's definitely something we've we've been working on. And, you know, as a former Oh, yeah. We're we're talking about a potential essay contest at the D with the DEI commission for for students to think about if you were to write something about community or belonging or what would that look like? And so we really are trying to think about um again as a former educator, how could I get students engaged in some of the work that we're doing? Um and how can I work with schools to I don't know you get extra credit if you come to the city event or what what can we do? Um is definitely uh front of mind. Um I to build on that I Weisetta is also a school district in Minnetonka and they do require service um hours from every student and so that's something to tap into as well for you. Yep. >> Yeah. Oh, and for Junth too, I forgot to mention Wisetta Community Ed also uh threw in with us on that. So that was that was kind of cool. So again, like trying to break down some of these silos across city, across department, across commission to kind of bring more people to the table to get a fuller picture of whatever it is we're looking at. Caleb. >> So, uh, in previous communications, uh, we've talked about an equity toolkit within within the city and and when we think about, uh, sustainability of these activities. Uh, I know as volunteer members of a commission or a part or a board like ours, there's uh, uh, there's going to be turnover. So, uh, one of the one of the things I'm really wanting to see for this board, but probably as many boards as would be interested based on their their membership, is effectively um, builtin uh, equity uh, assessments that are part of every staff review. that is that it's then presented to the commissioners or the board board members. >> So for instance um tonight you heard the cullin nature preserve pres presentation >> and that effectively through either an equity toolkit or some other uh best practice such as one exists. um staff would know and again staff turn over too but they they would have a blueprint effectively to to say what are the diversity, equity, inclusion and in the case of parkboard we we also think about uh you know disability. So so that kind of component of inclus inclusivity uh in a unique way. >> Yeah. Uh but how would you know h how can you kind of bake that into every decision, every review so that it's not unique >> and it's not uh aarent that that somebody >> who maybe has a special interest or that's a focus just brings it up. >> Yeah. Uh so I I would really I would really love for that to happen for us and and our our our group. And so um and I also know that there's so much work that you as and your team and then the commission has that's very specific to issues unrelated to a park >> or to an economic development project. And yet the the focus there should be a lens very carefully uh you know focused on these issues every time there's a decision and there's just no way in in my view that that you could do that no other staff in the city except the city manager I guess >> is having to oversee everything. >> Mhm. And so it's really about how could we bake in and be empowered with that to uh to kind of get that feedback >> because I don't want to miss anything. My colleagues don't want to miss anything. >> Mhm. >> In these in these realms. >> Yeah, for sure. And right now, and Leslie was part of the group that helped to uh form the equity toolkit right before I came. Um and so thinking about right now, each department has to use it at least three to four times a year. And so again, as we're as we're building this out, I I will also say it's interesting because sometimes uh if you look at something backwards, if you run it through the equity toolkit like this thing exists, um we we are checking a lot of those boxes, which I appreciate. Um because it it does show me that there's a lot of thought going into it uh beforehand. And so that's something that's been really cool to see as someone who looks at a lot of them. Um but again I think it's just about uh building on right now we're at three to four uh times a year and next year we'll go a little bit more a little bit more and so part of it is you know just capacity showing folks how to use it. Um we have an internal uh uh equity committee that uh has been given kind of a task of like within your department you're kind of the go-to person if someone wants to use it or to recommend to use it. And um you know, anytime I ask somebody to to throw the equity tool, we can nobody says no. They're like, "Oh, okay." Or they might need help or have a few questions for me, but um everyone's really open to to doing that. And I think uh yeah, the questions that are in it are good for everyone to think about and consider um anytime they're going through something. And um you know, sometimes the the answers might not be necessarily what you want, but at least you know what they are, right? And so again, creating some of that that baseline of where are we right now, where do we want to get, how are we going to get there? But that's one thing that's been really important to me is um just figuring out where we are in general, right? Because I could go try to build something, but what if it's already what if community development is already doing it, right? And I don't know. So that's or sustainability is already doing it as the commission and and so that's one of the things that we're really trying to think about in what does that cross collaboration look like and and how can we best support one another as we all because we all want to have an inclusive community, right? >> Yeah, I I agree. I I think um when we were interviewed for the park board, you know, I was really impressed with the city council asking that question of us. Um and that showed to me that there was support. um having worked in the public sector since 1985 and um thinking about doing my PhD in ADA um as it came out as I graduated. I think so often there's been a lot of things that have occurred and I think park and wreck has been in the forefront. Um there's a a whole section called therapeutic wreck um that is a part of ADAs and integrating people with disabilities into the outdoors. And you know, I think it's always good to revise or to to go back. Like you said, it's great to see um some of the audits coming back showing it because I think one of the things park and rack and public employees sometimes do is not document as much. We don't take uh we don't do a lot of um tooting our horns. >> Um and and so I think that there is a history. I know there is. Um I've been a part of it. I know a lot of people in in the field. And so um very supportive of it and um again I think it's documenting what we're doing. It doesn't mean that we can't do better job too. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Great. Well appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much for having us. >> It's been very helpful. >> Thanks. >> So now we move to 8A. Reports from staff. >> Yes. uh chair and park board members, we have a couple of update items. Um the first one I think we'll turn over to Darren to talk about some parks. >> This is a pretty short and sweet update. So, uh Coington Park was on the list for in the CIP this year to redo the tennis courts. So, we started work on those in May. Uh got them paved at the end of the month. They or at the end of Yeah, end of May. uh they uh sat through their curing process, they got the uh coatings on, so they are now open to play as of the 25th of July. So, and we've already heard from residents that are very happy to be able to use the courts again. So, and then also uh sorry, also the uh feedback we had earlier, we did an open house for Oelin Park about different options for adding pickle ball at that court. So the the feedback we had from that was to add the pickle ball lines and use the tennis nets. So at the same time they did the codings at Cington, they got the lines added at Oberlin. So those two are checked off for the year. >> Um so in my interview again with the city council, I'm an avid tennis player. Is there a list and I had received a inquiry uh once people start finding out I'm on the park board about the rehab schedule for various tennis courts in particular Williston. Um is there something that maybe you have from before or a rehab list of a resurfacing of the courts um part of your >> I So you're you're talking about the ones in the Williston Fitness Center. >> Yes. So that's I'm only on the outsides. Okay. So the that part would be recreation. That's Kelly manages that. So I'm not familiar. >> And maybe you guys have heard this already schedule or anything. I just >> You mean the future schedule? >> Yeah. Yeah. Just kind of a a renovation or a pavement rehab plan is what I'm familiar with >> um with with trails and and roads. But um yeah, now that the word's getting out of my role, I'm getting more tennis related questions, which I'm happy um to advocate on their behalf. >> We can certainly talk to our rec staff and see if they can provide an update on that. >> Great. Thank you. >> That would be helpful. >> All right. Okay. So, the next item, um as you know, we don't have any rec staff here to talk about Summerfest and they are the primary movers and shakers around that event. And unfortunately, I did not get a was not able to attend. But I can uh point out that it was a large crowd, a largest crowd in seven years. They said they had over 6,000 participants. Um they raised $1,000 uh was raised for scholarships through the neon sales. I assume it's the neon little bracelets and things. >> Um to be honest, I don't know where that scholarship goes, so if anybody knows, fill me in. Um, but that's that's exciting that they did that. Um, they received a lot of good feedback. There was good activities, food vendors, the fireworks display went off. Uh, sometimes it gets cancelled because of the weather, but it was able to take off. >> They got lucky on weather. If I remember right, they got lucky on weather again because it was iffy for a while. >> You said about an hour after Yeah. >> Uh, and parking demand was high. So, we have uh used multiple lots for parking. So, Ice Arena, City Hall, local schools, the Marsh, and even Williston. Um, so that just showcases it was an a successful event. And they sent along some pictures. So, we >> Someone brought their llama. >> Somebody brought a llama. >> Now, we're going to have to deal with llamas in the park. >> Along with ghosts. >> That actually came up as a question. It did, right, Matt? That came up as a question for purgatory. >> Yeah. So, I think you can see me there very obviously in my family. We we enjoyed it. >> Um and we've enjoyed it for a number of years. Uh and it does it it is awesome that it's so busy. Uh and I'm not surprised because it's it's pretty epic at least for my kids. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And but th this event plus the like subsequent uh recent air quality index has raised the question to me uh and maybe this is uh you know needs to just be an FYI for the next meeting but I am curious when the city uh or what are the metrics for okay people it's 170 this is canled or uh soccer, you know, the wreck events or sporting activities. um because obviously we're we're dealing with it for more and more days of the summer and protracted uh periods and uh I assume we I assume we have uh uh re regs in place but um again as a with my kids being very active in in wreck programs >> the I know about what to call for weather >> you know is is suck practicing happening is this happening right but I don't know about the air quality and then of course for an event like this or uh you know apart from just kind of you know team based or you know practices canceled for six and under or whoever um this is an event that has revenue implications for the city it has implications for vendors etc. So um do we have any like in uh air quality metrics with built into insurance you know for if we need to cancel something and then money's been put in or money there's some vendor related contractor guarantees I'm curious about those uh ramifications of cancelling >> uh so I I appreciate if nobody knows that now which is totally fine like you from the hip. Uh that I I' I'd love to learn more about it u at a at a future meeting. >> I couldn't agree with you more, Caleb. I think that's a really heads up comment. Um it is a really serious health hazard um when it's above 150 and most people are oblivious to it. >> Uh my wife is a physician, you are. And the pulmonary effects are really long-term and could be tragic, but you don't see it like a weather storm or a blizzard. >> Uh, and we don't have a local meteorologist on staff, I don't think, in the city, >> but it's something I think we should consider. It's a really good point. >> I think I think schools have it in place now. Well, I was going to say I was going to say for the at least for the farmers market when I ran it, we it we didn't talk about air quality per se, but we did, you know, we worked with the fire chief to monitor the weather prior to the opening of the market to know whether or not we should stay open or not. So, I would assume and and they did have like parameters for when we would not open versus when we would stay open. I would assume they have something about air quality, but again, I'm not I was never privy to those numbers and I don't know who on the staff, but I would I would assume somebody in the recck department has that information. >> Air quality is part of the weather, >> but nobody's monitoring the air quality as part of the weather because people are oblivious to it right now until this summer. It is it's really serious. I I think it's just it's great to be in a leadership position on some >> and I'm sure and I'm sure that like if we if we brought it up to the the w staff, they would make sure to ask fire chief to also monitor the air quality and make sure that that number is also being communicated to everybody. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh >> upcoming means. >> Yep. Upcoming meetings. So, I'll have uh Matt pull this up. So just a reminder in September we have our annual joint city council park board meeting. It's actually technically the park board's meeting and the city council comes to it. Um so it starts at 5:30. It'll be a short meeting. Uh we will be doing some project updates and then the the heart of that event is the tour. Um so we are planning the tour now. It was we'll you know the meeting will be from 5:30 to 6. have a quick break, get on the bus, and leave by 6:15. Um, we're a little uh days are a little shorter than they are now, so we're kind of constrained by the the light, >> but I think usually we get back around 8:30ish for sure by 9:00. Um, and so, uh, we've got, um, if I remember correctly, we are so far tenatively planning on going to Big Willow Park, >> the ball field area. Um because uh as you may know we are starting on developing a master plan for that that Matt's also working on >> to the ballpark ball field >> the ball field area. So just see some active recreation areas and some of the issues and opportunities there. >> How about the new parcel or the just just what >> we can talk about it. I don't know that we're going to be able to get to it. Um because >> the big willow parcel. >> Yeah. Yes. >> West of the park little parking lot. >> Correct. The city is tenatively purchasing a parcel that will eventually be wrapped into the park as a whole and it would uh basically uh complete the whole uh property >> along the creek >> along the creek. Yeah. Um but I don't anticipate we'll be able to physically get there at the tour, but we can talk about it at the tour because it's it's fairly far away and to get a bus >> from the ballparks. Yeah. >> Y >> we could look out the window. We could look out the window as we drive by slowly crawl slowly by >> um and so that's the that's one place that we had planned on going and I am blanking on the others. Do you guys remember do we say opus? >> Oh Glenn Lake Park. Now, we know that you have been there actually twice in the past couple of years, >> and we've looked specifically at the skate park area, but this is really about the park as a whole. So, we felt it was worth actually looking at it again. >> So, is that by park as a whole that you're talking about the little playground plus the the ball fields? >> Yes. >> And the building getting >> Well, yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Yep. Is there going to be like a briefing on the vision for that before we roll in? >> There'll be a briefing on the timeline of what that looks like. We're just in the early conversation with hiring consultant and and doing our outreach and engagement planning. So, we won't be that far along yet. >> Yeah. Yeah. I know it's early. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page of where we are in the process. >> Yep. For >> Yep. >> starting the planning. >> Is it okay? >> Yeah. That was the one I was forgetting. So uh so that's what's being uh tenatively proposed. Um if you are unable to make that meeting or the tour, please let me know. Uh and then our next regular meeting is October 22nd. So again, this is a different day because of Yam Kapoor. Uh and uh as I mentioned earlier, we will have the sustainability coordinator with the city. She'll come. Her name is Ally Sutherland. She'll talk about the efforts around sustainability, climate action, uh her work with the sustainability commission. Um the commission actually does have room for a park board member and I believe the chair served on that >> for two years. >> For two years. >> Um it is vacant, technically vacant. So, one of her pitches will be just to give you a heads up if anybody wants to volunteer to be serving on another commission. >> They do uh have room and and and their their intent was always to have a park board. >> There are very they are very interesting topics. >> Yes. Yes. So, more to come on that in October. And then >> another question about September before you keep rolling. Um what time does dinner start? because I always roll in at 5:30 and everyone's like, "I'm already going." >> Wait, was I supposed to get here earlier? At >> 5:15 dinner starts >> for today or for the in September? >> No, in September. >> So, the meeting starts at 5:30. So, what happens is people come early, get their dinner, sit down. >> Dinner started. >> So, I believe dinner, we will have dinner probably at 5:15. It'll be out and ready. >> Okay. >> So, similar to here, if it was ready, >> the idea is that the meeting's starting. So you're kind of sitting and having your meal already. So, >> and I came at the 512 start today and three people were already almost done eating. >> So, and it's good social time to talk to folks on the council too, right? A good 15 20 minutes. >> Yeah. >> Chat it up with >> So, just for the new parkboard members, um again, this meeting is it's technically a parkboard meeting. So, the parkboard chair will actually run the meeting and then the council is part a participant. So, >> so no actions are being taken. It's just project updates and then we'll go on a tour together. So, it's a nice time to socialize with the council >> and and I I think it's fair to say the council tends to predominant the con comments >> because it's their chance to >> yeah they can weigh in as a decision like are there any decisions we need or >> you know I think that's why we get a lot of comments like this a sticky point is this whole off leash dog thing is that >> off the table >> the intent is it would be an update >> are we going to get on all on the Could be an update. >> No decision. No action on the same date. >> Well, actually, let's since we're That's a good question. >> My understanding is it's coming back to the council on the August 28th. >> Right. There's something coming back to the council on the 28th. >> I think it's the 25th. >> Whatever. It's coming. >> I need to know. >> 25th. >> I'm sorry. 25th. That makes more sense. >> But but that's still there was there's going to have been no public comment. I'm assuming when there's finally a plan, the council has to allow public comment on the plan before they vote or not. >> That is not We have not been given any direction related to that. So, I can't answer that question. I don't think Matt can either. We We haven't been told what will happen, what the procedures will be. >> Okay. >> That's up to the council >> and hopefully they will make it clear at their next meeting. >> So, hope it's still just purgatory. >> Yep. All working >> not any extras beyond that yet for >> not right now. Yep. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's interesting. Okay. Um is that all for the meeting schedule discussion? >> Uh just a couple more. So uh I talked about October. So November as I mentioned earlier as well. Um we will be bringing the parkboard strategic plan back to the park board to review and comment and edit as needed. Um and then also developing a 2026 work plan. Um starting last year, our city council asks that each commission report do a kind of a year-end report. >> Um so I uh I >> I don't you you weren't chair last year. So you didn't do it, but this year uh you might be tapped into doing that along with me. Um so >> actually actually was weird. I think last year I went with Kelly because it was presented And maybe Chris wasn't available. So >> I think Chris wasn't available. Yes. So So that that comes in next year, but to get there, we'll need to revisit the strategic plan and develop a 2026 work plan. So that'll happen in November. Uh the ideas that would likely be b brought back. So November we would get feedback and discussion and then December it would get basically adopted by the park board. So those are the meetings for this year. Um just a couple of other events. So really just the farmers market. It's continuing to take place at the marsh and the parking lot. Um I know there's been some feedback about just challenges with definitely there's road construction as you all know >> can make it a little hard to get into sometimes and then some parking issues. I personally have been going to it and I know I if I park on the other side, the west edge or west end of the parking lot, I've never had trouble getting a parking spot, but it means you have to walk a little ways. So, that uh continues through um September 30th. Uh and then the music and the parks will continue at Richdale Commons through August 26. So, that's all I have. Could I ask that you send us a link to the parkboard strategic plan because I I remember we discussed it but the details are gone. So >> yeah, I can send that out. I know the new park me park board members, it's always a mouthful have not seen it yet. Um so I'm happy to send out the copy that we have at everybody. That's a good onboarding document and it is I actually wrote out notes. We need a better onboarding packet for our onboard members. And >> we started in February. >> Yeah, we did. >> Yeah, we we moved it to November, December. That was one of my >> That was one of your good ideas. >> That's right. That's right. Yeah. >> Um and strategic plan is kind of a misleading name for it. It's like a one pager with our They're like goals for the year for the year. It's Yeah. Strategies for the year, things we want to focus on for like the next year. So, >> y >> um so yeah, I'm happy to send that out. I've collected some other things. The Robert's rules, the slides that were used tonight for the training I'll send to everybody. >> That'd be great. >> I do think we need an onboard packet for partner new parkour members, which we haven't had in the past. So, that's on my to-do list. >> Uh and then retention document. I think someone mentioned having retent understanding the retention schedule for data. >> Oh, that was me. >> I love the document. I will happily send it to you and you >> so so I I was truly trying to understand whether in my personal email in this iPad >> do I need to just leave every document that I've re every letter email I've received from >> the public >> it explains it in the retention document it depends on what the email is about >> but but but it is capturing >> it captures all of the emails mine disapp appear very quickly from my central server. >> It goes into retention real quick. >> Goes into a central server. >> That's what I assume, but I just wanted to make sure >> I go back. >> You don't have to delete it, but if it does, it's been captured. >> That's why I bring some to somebody ADA thing. Bigger screen. >> Okay. >> Uh that's all I have. >> Great. Uh item nine, park board member reports. Do any park board members have a report to make tonight? >> You You do. >> I was going to say I have a a report that I went to the music and parks last night and it it reinvigorated me into the benefits that we um can appreciate being on the park board with the diversity. Um just the mixing of the community together. Um enjoying that. Um, seeing dogs behaved on leash was wonderful um to see and I would just say it was an overall uh great experience and made me very proud to be um a citizen of Minnitonka. >> Was it well attended on national night out cuz I was >> I was surpris I was too I was a little torn on my loyalties. Um the the you know Fleetwood Mac pulled me in the right direction for me. Um and I would say yeah that it was it was much more attendant than I thought. Maybe a little bit of an older crowd, but I will have to say there was multi-generation that were up and dancing. We had a hula hoop girl and um I it was Did you see it? It was it was fun watching the kids roll down the hill. Um, you know, it's just parks are >> um something to be proud of. >> It's a nice little venue there. Yeah, >> it's a great venue. >> So, that that's my my report from >> enjoying the recreation of our city. >> Nobody else have Corey. No. Well, with that, um, do I have a motion for adjournment? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> guess everybody. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [Music] [Music]