MinneapoliMedia's "Meet Your Legislator" Interview Series

MinneapoliMedia's "Meet Your Legislator" Interview Series

Exclusive Interview with Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley
On HF 917 - Expansion of Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center
Part 1 of MinneapoliMedia's "Meet Your Rep" Interview Series
Interviewer: Tom Akaolisa

Tom Akaolisa: Representative Hiltsley, thank you for making the time for us today. I know it's a hectic time at the Capitol.

Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley: Oh my goodness, yes! You just never know what’s going to happen. We’ve been told we’re good until four today, but they can call us up at any moment! But I’m doing well. Exhausted, yes—but content. I love this work. I’m learning a lot and really putting in the effort.

Tom: It shows. This is where all the years of advocating, helping people, and pushing for what's right have led you. You were built for this.

Rep. Hiltsley: Thank you, that means so much. As immigrants in this country, we’ve had to work twice as hard just to build our own seats at the table. So when we do get into spaces like this, we’re ready. We’ve worked hard before, so we're prepared.

Tom: Exactly. And I thank you for not giving up. You stayed focused and followed through.

Rep. Hiltsley: That truly means a lot. People don’t often see the sacrifices—the 3 a.m. drop-offs, the sleepless nights, what our families go through. It can feel lonely at times up here. So thank you.

Tom: It’s our pleasure. We’re here today for a reason: to talk about HF 917, the bill supporting the expansion of the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center (CAC). Let’s dive right into it. Why is this bill important?

Rep. Hiltsley: HF 917 is all about meeting the needs of a changing and growing community. Initially, there was a debate—some wanted to eliminate the ice rink and build more basketball courts, while others wanted to preserve the rink. The compromise? Expand the facility so we can have both. We keep an important community asset and add resources for our youth and families across Brooklyn Park and the broader northwest suburbs.

Tom: What personally motivated you to champion HF 917?

Rep. Hiltsley: Brooklyn Park is changing demographically. We’re the most diverse city in Minnesota. That brings unique challenges and opportunities. I never grew up skating, for example—but my kids might enjoy it. And basketball is huge in our community. This expansion provides options for both youth and seniors, and it's something I was engaged in even before being elected. It’s about ensuring our residents see themselves reflected in public spaces.

Tom: For readers who may not be familiar, can you describe the role the Community Activity Center plays in Brooklyn Park?

Rep. Hiltsley: Absolutely. The CAC is a hub. It reflects our community’s vibrant diversity. Brooklyn Park isn’t just growing economically—it’s evolving culturally and socially. We’re a tapestry of cultures, and the CAC serves as a place for connection, learning, and recreation. It’s central to building community and ensuring we’re good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Tom: What specific facilities or features will the expansion include? Any personal favorites?

Rep. Hiltsley: I’m excited that we’re keeping the ice rink and adding basketball courts—that’s big. But it’s more than sports. The new facility will include racquetball courts, rental spaces for community events like weddings or baby showers, and meeting rooms. It creates opportunities for additional revenue that can fund youth programming. It’ll be a place where whatever you want to do—you can find it there.

Tom: From your perspective, how does this project support broader community goals like public safety or accessibility?

Rep. Hiltsley: This will be a regional hub, not just for Brooklyn Park. We’ve engaged with Chief Enevoldsen and others to ensure safety and comfort are prioritized. Accessibility is another key pillar. That means ADA-compliant features, cultural inclusion, and creating a space where everyone—from kids to elders, across cultures and abilities—feels welcome.

Tom: And when it comes to youth development?

Rep. Hiltsley: That’s one of my top priorities. We’ve had deep conversations with city staff, the police department, and community orgs. The truth is, when youth don’t have spaces or feel unheard, it shows. We’re working with existing groups doing great work and making sure the new CAC becomes a central space for youth engagement, mentorship, and programs that matter.

Tom: Thank you so much for this in-depth look, Representative Hiltsley. We’re excited to see where this project goes.

Rep. Hiltsley: Thank you for highlighting this. It’s about building a community that reflects all of us, and this is a big step in that direction.

PART 2 – Community Voices and Legislative Momentum

Tom Akaolisa: Next question—from your perspective, was community feedback part of shaping this proposal? What kind of input did you receive from residents, youth, local organizations, or city leaders?

Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley: Yeah, absolutely. In the beginning, there were these two sides—those who wanted to preserve the ice rink and those advocating for more basketball courts. And honestly, both had strong arguments. But as we kept incorporating community voices into the conversation, it became clear that there was a path forward that could honor both perspectives.

I have to commend the city staff, the city council—especially Mayor Hollies—for their leadership. They facilitated genuine and transparent conversations. There were session after session of community hearings. Residents showed up, voiced their thoughts, and engaged in the process. Because of that engagement, we landed on a proposal that brought both sides together. It’s really powerful to witness that unity.

We’re seeing people from both camps now standing side by side, advocating for the same project. I’m actually organizing a press conference at the Capitol with community leaders. We’re entering the conference committee stage now—that’s when House and Senate leadership negotiate the final version of the bill before it heads to the Governor’s desk.

And community members are showing up for that too. They're ready to voice why this project matters. It’s truly the community that has propelled this entire effort.

Tom Akaolisa: Let’s talk nuts and bolts. How is this expansion structured financially? What’s the role of state funding and local or matching investments?

Rep. Hiltsley: I can’t speak to every detail on the financial structure, but I can share what’s happening at the state level. Last time around, we secured $5 million, and now we’re asking for an additional $9.5 million. The city is working closely with Commissioner Jeff Lundy to identify potential matching funds.

When I spoke with city leaders, I was clear: if you’re asking for $9.5 million, will that fully complete the project? Because we don’t want to fund a half-finished facility and scramble later. They reassured me they have a comprehensive financial game plan to get this done.

I haven’t heard anything yet on federal funding, so I’ll leave that aside for now. But at the state and local level, there’s a clear commitment to fully realizing this project.

Tom Akaolisa: Have there been any notable challenges or opposition as HF917 moves through the legislature?

Rep. Hiltsley: From the state level, this was actually the first bill I dropped. If you check the number—it’s in the early hundreds—because we wanted to get ahead of things. There are over 4,000 bills right now, so getting in early helps.

The main challenge has been making the case for why Brooklyn Park and the Northwest Suburbs deserve this investment—especially when other cities like Marshall might also be asking for millions for their own priorities.

So I’ve been meeting with members of the Capital Investment Committee, explaining why this is no longer just a District 38A bill. It impacts all of Northwest Suburbia. I’ve also reached out to other legislators, like Rep. Kristin Bahner from Maple Grove, whose communities and businesses will benefit.

There’s a political strategy to all of this—it’s like chess. You have to know what projects are being prioritized, who’s advocating for what, and where you need to plug in your message. But I’ve been persistent. I’ve knocked on doors more than once to make sure this stays on the radar.

Tom Akaolisa: Let’s imagine this bill passes and implementation begins. What are some short- and long-term benchmarks you hope this project will achieve?

Rep. Hiltsley: Short-term, I want the community to immediately have access to new, usable space that meets current needs—whether that’s sports courts, meeting spaces, or youth programs.

Long-term, I envision this becoming an economic and social hub for the entire Northwest metro. I want to see continued investment in youth programming, technology, innovation spaces—things that spark creativity and opportunity. It’s about expanding value for the community and creating potential we might not even fully imagine yet.

Tom Akaolisa: Finally, what message would you like to share directly with the residents of Brooklyn Park—and Minnesotans more broadly—about why this project matters and why community infrastructure like this deserves support?

Rep. Hiltsley: First and foremost, thank you to the residents of Brooklyn Park and our neighboring communities. Your voices—your presence at those meetings, your calls, your emails—those pushed us to find a solution that works for everyone.

Keep doing that. Nothing changes unless someone speaks up. Change happens when communities mobilize. That’s what happened here.

We need people to step up and represent their lived experiences. One of the reasons I ran was because I didn’t see that representation at the state or even local level. We need diverse voices at the decision-making table, and we need to keep encouraging people to bring issues forward—even the ones we might not know about yet.

This facility will stand as a testament to what happens when a community organizes, shares its voice, and works toward a common goal. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it represents everyone.

One day, I’ll drive my kids by this place and tell them—I was part of that. We were all part of that. And that’s something I’ll cherish forever.

Tom Akaolisa: Thank you so much, Representative Hiltsley. This project—and your work—goes far beyond infrastructure. It’s about connection, opportunity, and resilience. We’re honored to be part of helping tell this story, and we look forward to continuing the conversation.

Rep. Hiltsley: Thank you. And I also want to mention—there’s a bill in the Legacy Committee allocating over a million dollars to ethnic media outlets. What you’re doing here falls under that. We need to talk more about that on the back end so your platform can benefit.

And yes, let’s make this a quarterly thing—keeping our community informed is key. So thank you for all the work you and your team are doing. It matters.