TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Background

Innovation and Development Committee Don Siggelkow, Assistant Superintendent for Development Services September 21, 2011 Study Item on a Loring Park Conservancy Framework

The Board of Commissioners have held three study sessions to discuss the concept of a conservancy at Loring Park. Tupper Thomas, former Director of the Prospect Park Conservancy in Brooklyn, New York has been a valuable resource in the discussions. In addition, a work team met and discussed how a conservancy could work in our park system. The work team was comprised of: Anita Tabb District Four Commissioner Bob Fine City-Wide Commissioner Ray Harris Loring Park Neighborhood Resident Tupper Thomas Former Executive Director for the Prospect Park Alliance Don Siggelkow Assistant Superintendent for Development Cecily Hines - Minneapolis Parks Foundation President Shortly after the Board held a third study session on the conservancy concept, a public meeting was hosted by Citizens for Loring Park to engage the community in the discussion. Valuable insights were garnered from that meeting and subsequent meetings with Citizens for Loring Park. To progress the discussion on whether a conservancy would be a viable concept for Loring Park, the Board will be presented with an operational framework. The framework is outlined below and is based on the Board study sessions and the community discussions. This st framework will be presented and discussed by the Board at the September 21 Innovation Committee meeting. The Board will vote on the framework at the October 5th Innovation Committee Meeting and the October 19th Board Meeting. If approved, the framework will be presented in a series of public meetings to be held through the winter months. A draft agreement will be presented to the Board at the conclusion of the public meetings based on the community input from the public meeting series.

Draft Framework for a Park Conservancy Model 9/21/2011 1. The conservancy will undergo an evaluation commencing in the fourth year and a review and decision by the Board in year five on the future of the conservancy. 2. The conservancy role is to enhance the maintenance level of the park, enhance programming in the park and raise funds and make improvements to the park. 3. The parkland remains in control of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. 4. The Conservancy will not make public policy decisions about parkland. 5. The Park Board will retain final authority on all decisions about the park. 6. All Park Board policies on community engagement will be adhered to by a conservancy. 7. The Policing functions in the park will remain with the Park Board. 8. Full time Park Board employees will be retained but managed by conservancy staff. 9. A Conservancy Board will be comprised of representatives from local businesses, the Minneapolis Community Technical Community School, neighborhood organizations, neighborhood institutions, community representatives and downtown business community representatives. The Possible structure of two Boards for the Conservancy will be an executive committee and a community committee. 10. Special events that currently occur in the park will continue to be permitted and managed by the Park Board.

Previous Board Discussions February 9, 2011 March 16, 2011 June 15, 2011 Prepared by: Approved by: Presentation by Tupper Thomas on the Prospect Park Alliance Discussion of Conservancy Models in Innovation and Development Committee Innovation Committee Discussion

Don Siggelkow, Assistant Superintendent for Development Services Jayne Miller, Superintendent