2026.05.04 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for April 20, 2026 Page 2 of 6 Hopkins Schoolhouse Update – Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center President Liz Cinqueonce President of the Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center Liz Cinqueonce provided and annual report and update. Liz reviewed the six measures of success the council had previously approved and how they were being met. They have received the 501(c)-(3) status and transitioned to the new nonprofit. Forest Lake is no longer a party to the agreement though they remain actively involved. They have applied for sales tax exemption with the state and their registration with the MN Attorney General’s Office Charities division. They are also working on a business plan for when the Hopkins Schoolhouse opens. Liz talked about the restoration that was overseen by Brad LeTrourneau and Floyd Petty. They replaced the front door, repaired the side door, replaced rails on the front steps, demolished and framed the interior, and restored the furnace face. She stated they were only able to make as much progress as they have due to Washington County’s Sentence to Serve and the City’s Building Official Joel Hoistad’s guidance. Tree removal and ground leveling were done with the help of Asplund and the Hugo Public Works Department and a preliminary site plan was created. They will be working on a final site plan for Council approval. Work is continuing on landscaping in front of the building and enhancements to the exterior steps. Liz explained the mission of the nonprofit was to engage students with programs implemented in the school about the schoolhouse. Students had visited on Patriot Day, and a Girl Scout troop built a free library that was placed in front of the building. They have done outreach to other local history groups and are helping a Hugo family history group to raise money to lift stones in the cemetery. Committee member Katherine Fraatz had commissioned for a model of the schoolhouse to be built to raise community support, and there is a video of it on YouTube. Liz reported that sufficient funds have been raised for interior framing and they have begun raising funds for future phase that includes infrastructure improvements, which they feel will be most challenging. There are contractors who would like to help but have run into barriers because it is a commercial structure. They have begun reaching out to trade schools. Current fundraising includes pending grant applications, Forest Lake History book sales, a Heart of the Schoolhouse campaign, and a fundraising event scheduled for October 24, 2026. ADA compliance has been confirmed for entry of the Schoolhouse. Bids have been secured for well evaluation, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Liz explained they continue with assessments and design plans for those items and for improvements to the interior. Miron stated his appreciation for a thorough report saying you can see progress, but a lot is done behind the scenes. He asked where people could go to find more information. Liz responded that they have a website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. She invited the Council and offered to host a walkthrough at the schoolhouse. Weidt said he understood the problems with contractors and asked Liz to keep the Council updated.