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Record of Proceedings

Rochester Park Board Meeting - September 2, 2026 (Note: Agenda dated September 1, 2026)

Boards and Commissions — Wednesday, September 2, 2026
BodyRochester, Minnesota
SessionBoards and Commissions
DateWednesday, September 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 31:54

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:17

Yeah, right here, Word 6.

0:19

Marty Cormac Ward 1.

0:21

April 3rd.

0:24

Paul Marina Ward 2.

0:25

Rebecca Guns 45.

0:28

Very good.

0:29

And we have large member and Cindy Morgan, board thing.

0:32

There you go.

0:33

Thank you.

0:34

All right.

0:34

First item on the advantage there is approval the minutes of any relatives.

0:38

Or any questions or changes maybe in the moment.

0:55

Any changes in the order of the agenda?

1:03

Marga in chat, all favor say aye.

1:05

Aye.

1:09

Kelly, can you have any sign up?

1:12

Okay, I'll be just all right.

1:14

Now our open comment periods to explain if you're not on for a later item.

1:19

Uh is that we have a total of 20 minutes on our open comment period and each speaker's limited to two minutes.

1:29

Um negotiation litigation or related personnel will not be discussed for open cabinet.

1:47

Later.

1:48

Later, okay.

1:49

Uh Kyle Larson.

1:54

Um Michelle, uh something.

1:57

Yes, but then okay.

1:59

And then Lee Sangim, are you with the group?

2:02

Yes, we're the group.

2:03

I'm definitely all right.

2:06

So we'll put those off until we get to their item, which is uh item under eight.

2:11

Um nine eight.

2:16

All right.

2:21

Next item on our agenda is our reports.

2:23

I think that's usual done.

2:26

Wonderful job explaining all the different things that they've got going on.

2:30

Are there any questions or Mr.

2:33

Woodman?

2:33

Anything you want to point out to them.

2:35

They're gonna follow those staff reports.

2:39

I think I added in uh one of the reports the uh urban gear hunt um where you just got the legislation, uh the notifications out all the hundreds of participate and we'll be doing some orientations and that we're gonna begin actually August or October first.

2:59

And uh we'll look closer to the communication scheme.

3:02

Can't you get some questions?

3:04

People see archery signs uh that we do the deer hunt in the parks.

3:09

Uh just wanted to assure everybody were planned.

3:20

Regulations to it that keep it safe and uh become good uh goods that are gonna be working with us here, so just yeah.

3:29

Okay, uh more lots of here and very trying to back out of this last year, but we were pushed by neighbors that really want to see it move forward.

3:41

So we've been uh we've got some volunteers helping us, and uh it's a good program.

3:47

Yeah, any questions or comments from any of the board members on our reports.

3:53

Uh one question, what are you gonna talk about when you guys gonna move to the new facility?

3:59

We're doing it this week.

4:01

Uh that's why these guys are looking for fire, they've been up in boxes and equipment.

4:07

So yeah, we're we're in transition.

4:10

I think one thing we want to think of down the road is if you want to take a tour of the building, that's what we have a meeting there, certainly.

4:17

I have that as a request at the end of the meeting, maybe during the October meeting there.

4:25

Anyone else got any questions on the reports?

4:27

If not, I got one and a statement.

4:30

We've got a very good report in here about the park services officers and how they work with the police department and uh a couple months ago.

4:38

The the police chief did a really good job in the staff of explaining how they try and work with uh people hold us that might be in the parks uh kind of compassionate way.

4:48

So if you ever interested in trying to catch it on what meeting that was, but they did a perfect job of explaining how they how they're trying to make that work well and respectful to people.

5:00

Um so nothing else, then we'll move on to our monthly approval of bills.

5:04

Are there any questions on the bills or Paul?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Historic Preservation██████████████████████████26%
Procedural█████████████13%
Veterans Affairs██████████10%
Strategic Planning███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Rochester Park Board Meeting - September 2, 2026 (Note: Agenda and minutes list the meeting as September 1, 2026)

The Rochester Park Board met on the date provided (September 2, 2026) for a regular meeting. The board unanimously approved routine consent items, received a presentation on the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial expansion, and discussed future agenda items including a mode-shift presentation and strategic planning. All votes were approved 7-0.

Consent Calendar

  • The board approved two routine bid awards:
    • 8.A. Fall 2026 Private Property Tree Planting Bid Award – Authorized to Hoffman & McNamara in the amount of $62,663.
    • 8.B. Public Prune 2.2026 – Authorized to Hathaway Tree Service in the amount of $78,000.
  • 8.C. Gamehaven Agreement Amendment with RASC – Approved an amended agreement with the Rochester Active Sports Club for the purchase of a third snow gun (estimated $30,000 from RASC funds, reimbursed by the city). Item 8.C was pulled from consent for discussion but approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during the open comment period.

Discussion Items

  • Reports: Parks and Recreation Director Paul Widman provided updates on the urban deer hunt (starting October 1), the move to the new maintenance facility, and the work of Park Services Officers with homeless individuals in parks. Board members commented and asked questions.
  • Monthly Bills & Financial Performance (Items 7.A & 7.B): The board approved the August 2026 bills and received the year-to-date financial report, noting summer program expenses.
  • Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Presentation (Item 9.A): Terry Throndson, Michelle Broadwater, and Kyle Larson from the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee presented a proposed expansion to honor Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) veterans. The plan includes four curved walls, additional sidewalks, benches, lighting, and flagpoles, with an estimated cost of $3.21 million. The committee has raised funds and sold over 50 pavers needing immediate installation. Park Board President Gary Neumann praised the existing memorial but emphasized the need for detailed staff review before a vote. The board received the report informationally.
  • Other Business (Agenda Planner): Commissioner Martin Cormack requested a presentation on Mode Shift and Transportation Demand Management from the city's coordinator, Matt Lynch, to be brought to a future board meeting. Commissioner April Sutor inquired about strategic planning; Director Widman noted that the city is preparing a consultant-led strategic planning process with the city council and the park board may be included. Division Head Mike Nigbur reported on plans to update the Park System Master Plan in 2027, with consultant selection in early 2027 and a 9-month process.

Key Outcomes

  • All motions approved unanimously (7-0): Approval of minutes, order of agenda, monthly bills, consent items (8.A, 8.B, and 8.C), and adjournment.
  • No formal action on Soldiers Field expansion: The board received the presentation and directed staff to work with the committee on detailed plans for future consideration.
  • Future agenda items: The mode-shift presentation will be scheduled; strategic planning updates will be shared; the master plan update process will begin in late 2026/early 2027.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, right here, Word 6. Marty Cormac Ward 1. April 3rd. Paul Marina Ward 2. Rebecca Guns 45. Very good. And we have large member and Cindy Morgan, board thing. There you go. Thank you. All right. First item on the advantage there is approval the minutes of any relatives. Or any questions or changes maybe in the moment. Any changes in the order of the agenda? Marga in chat, all favor say aye. Aye. Kelly, can you have any sign up? Okay, I'll be just all right. Now our open comment periods to explain if you're not on for a later item. Uh is that we have a total of 20 minutes on our open comment period and each speaker's limited to two minutes. Um negotiation litigation or related personnel will not be discussed for open cabinet. Later. Later, okay. Uh Kyle Larson. Um Michelle, uh something. Yes, but then okay. And then Lee Sangim, are you with the group? Yes, we're the group. I'm definitely all right. So we'll put those off until we get to their item, which is uh item under eight. Um nine eight. All right. Next item on our agenda is our reports. I think that's usual done. Wonderful job explaining all the different things that they've got going on. Are there any questions or Mr. Woodman? Anything you want to point out to them. They're gonna follow those staff reports. I think I added in uh one of the reports the uh urban gear hunt um where you just got the legislation, uh the notifications out all the hundreds of participate and we'll be doing some orientations and that we're gonna begin actually August or October first. And uh we'll look closer to the communication scheme. Can't you get some questions? People see archery signs uh that we do the deer hunt in the parks. Uh just wanted to assure everybody were planned. Regulations to it that keep it safe and uh become good uh goods that are gonna be working with us here, so just yeah. Okay, uh more lots of here and very trying to back out of this last year, but we were pushed by neighbors that really want to see it move forward. So we've been uh we've got some volunteers helping us, and uh it's a good program. Yeah, any questions or comments from any of the board members on our reports. Uh one question, what are you gonna talk about when you guys gonna move to the new facility? We're doing it this week. Uh that's why these guys are looking for fire, they've been up in boxes and equipment.

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