5-16-17CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS CCOOMMMMIISSSSIIOONN AAGGEENNDDAA
Regular CSC Meeting
Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 7:00 pm
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE:
Richfield Outdoor Pool, 630 East 66th Street
Commission Members Staff/Others Liaisons
Reed Bornholdt (Chair), Anne Basso, Danielle Indovino
Cawley, Joannette Cintrón de Núñez,
Carolyn Engeldinger, Art Felgate,
Emma Nollenberger, Lisa Rudolph, Dan Smieja,
Darwin Schaeferlane, Michele Thompson (Vice Chair)
Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison)
John Evans (Secretary)
Chris Link (Public Works)
Kris Weiby (Facilities Manager-Outdoor Pool)
Edwina Garcia (City Council)
Crystal Brakke (School Board)
1. Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Regular Meeting Minutes: April 18, 2017
2. Public Comment
Resident comment and items not printed on agenda
3. Staff Reports
Recreation Services (Topitzhofer)
4. Action Items
None
5. Discussion Items
Outdoor Pool Tour and Report (Weiby)
Kris Weiby, Facilities Manager will be leading a tour of the facility and presenting a report.
Gypsy Moth Report (Link)
Chris Link, Public Works Operations Superintendent, will present a report regarding the recent aerial
application to treat the gypsy moth isolated infestation. A press release and management proposal is
attached.
6. Committee Reports
Transportation Commission (Felgate)
FOWL Board (Engeldinger)
Planning Commission (Cintrón de Núñez)
Arts Commission (Rudolph)
Friendship City Commission (Topitzhofer/Schaeferlane)
7. Next Meeting
Tuesday, June 20, 7:00 pm
Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room), 6700 Portland Avenue
8. Adjournment
April 18, 2017
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, Michele Thompson, Dan Smieja, Anne Basso, Darwin Schaeferlane, Joannette Cintrón
de Núñez
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia SCHOOL BOARD: Crystal Brakke
ABSENT CSC: Danielle Indovino Cawley, Lisa Rudolph, Carolyn Engeldinger, Emma Nollenberger PLAN COM: Rick Jabs
Call to Order
Chair Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Thompson moved, seconded by Basso, to approve the minutes of the regular March minutes. Approved, ayes all.
Thompson moved, seconded by Basso, to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Invasive Goldfish at Wood Lake: Goldfish, a non-native invasive species in this climate, have infested Wood Lake. This probably began with
people dumping unwanted pet fish. Hennepin County has offered assistance to help contain or control them. Smieja asked if goldfish are at
other lakes. Topitzhofer said that Richfield Lake is connected and people have probably dropped them in other bodies of water.
Veterans Park Cleanup Day: A cleanup day has been scheduled to get together and clean up garbage at Vets Park on Saturday, April 29.
The extra effort is necessary due to the size of the park, the number of people who visit, and the shoreline, fenceline, and other features that
catch garbage. Staff has also directed Hennepin County Sentenced-to-Serve crews over there to do trash cleanup.
Friends of Wood Lake Fundraising Dinner: Friday, April 28. Purchase tickets at Wood Lake or online.
Action Items
Capital Improvement Plan Topitzhofer presented the suggested capital-improvement items for the next five years. He explained that this is
the plan for capital improvement items, funded by liquor store revenue. He said that the State of MN has passed legislation that will require us
to change the Ice Arena refrigeration system to a system that is considered safer for air quality, so that project will consume much of the capital
improvement funds for the next several years. He reviewed the items for the group, which are the same for the next several years: Wood Lake
fence repair, parks major maintenance, and the Arena refrigeration upgrade. He said that the Arena refrigeration project has funding through
the State's Mighty Ducks Grant, part of the bonding bill. Members asked about other sources of funding, like Federal grants. Topitzhofer said
that Federal funding would not likely be offered for a State mandate. He said that there has been a groundswell of requests for a dog park,
which may be another item to work into the capital plan in the next year or two. Smieja asked if there is any chance that parks could ever
receive more funds. Thompson moved, seconded by Basso, to recommend approval of the Parks section of the City's Capital Improvement
Plan. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items
GreenStep Cities Status Report Topitzhofer outlined the GreenStep Cities initiative, a voluntary program in which the City has participated
since 2012. The program, presented by the MN Pollution Control Agency, acknowledges cities who practice environmental stewardship and
energy efficiency and conservation in their regular operation. He reported on the different steps involved with meeting the different challenges
of the program and the star ratings that the City has already been awarded for meeting and adopting these best practices. Topitzhofer
presented the City's scorecard, which tracks the accomplishments of the City and goals for future efforts. He showed the group the items that
have been marked as areas that will require further action in order to advance with our rating.
Committee Reports
Council Redevelopment Report: Garcia presented a summary of redevelopment projects in progress.
Transportation Commission: Felgate reported.
Planning Commission: Cintrón de Núñez reported.
Arts Commission: Thompson reported.
Friendship City Commission: Schaeferlane reported.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular May Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment Basso moved, seconded by Thompson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:47.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
Proposal for
Gypsy Moth Management
Richfield/Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2017
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), in collaboration with federal, state, and
local partners, is proposing to treat an isolated gypsy moth population in the cities of
Richfield and Minneapolis in the spring of 2017. A state monitoring program in 2016 found
a high number of moths in the area. These results, combined with follow-up site visits
that found gypsy moth egg masses, prompted the MDA and the Minnesota Gypsy Moth
Program Advisory Committee to develop proposed treatments for 2017. The proposal
includes treating 329 acres for gypsy moth.
A complete description of all the 2017 treatments as proposed will be available on MDA’s
website, www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth. You can also find out more by attending a
local meeting. Information on that meeting is at the end of this bulletin.
2017 Richfield and Minneapolis proposed treatment area
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this information is available in alternative forms of communication upon
request by calling 651-201-6000. TTY users can call the Minnesota Relay Service at 711. The MDA is an equal opportunity
employer and provider
Minneapolis
Richfield
Highway 62
Information about gypsy moth
What is a gypsy moth and why control it?
The European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.) ) is not native to the United
States. After being introduced in Massachusetts in the late 1800s, gypsy moth has
continuously moved westward and southward and is now established in northeastern
Minnesota. Gypsy moth caterpillars are voracious eaters and can strip trees of their
leaves. The preferred host species include oaks, aspen, paper birch, basswood and
willow, which are all very common trees in Minnesota. High numbers of gypsy moth
caterpillars can cause a substantial public nuisance, a reduction in tree growth,
branch dieback and tree death.
The treatments proposed for 2017 will not only decrease the possibility of defoliation
but will delay the arrival and expansion of gypsy moth in Minnesota and beyond. This
delay can hold off a costly, full-scale infestation and protect natural and urban forest
health, local property values, and the quality of outdoor recreation activities.
How do we control gypsy moth?
Since 1973, the State of Minnesota has been actively surveying for gypsy moth. Our
first gypsy moth eradication project was conducted in 1980. Since that time, and in
partnership with the federal Slow the Spread program, over 820,000 acres have been treated in Minnesota to eradicate or slow
advancing gypsy moth populations. In recent history, treatments have been conducted in the cities of Duluth (2011, 2014),
Minnetonka (2011), Coon Rapids (2011), Oak Grove (2014), and Ely (2016).
Throughout the years, the MDA has used two different methods: 1) a biological insecticide called Bacillus thuringiensis var.
kurstaki (Btk) or, 2) a mating disruption treatment, to control gypsy moth in Minnesota. For this proposed treatment, the MDA
and its partners recommend using Btk on the 329 acre area in Richfield.
Information about Btk
What is Btk?
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) is an organic, biological insecticide that works well at killing gypsy moth caterpillars. The
active ingredients are crystalline proteins formed by naturally-occurring bacteria. When ingested, the proteins are toxic to certain
susceptible caterpillars like the gypsy moth. Caterpillars stop feeding and die within a couple days. Btk is broken down naturally by
sunlight so two applications about a week apart are used to make sure all gypsy moth caterpillars are exposed to the bacteria.
How and when is Btk applied?
The proposed Btk treatments will take place in May when gypsy moth caterpillars are very small. Treatments generally take
place very early in the morning using an airplane or helicopter. The aerial treatments are at low altitude (approximately 50 feet
above the treetops). The aircraft are equipped with the latest available technology including Global Positioning Systems to help
to ensure application accuracy. Non-forested areas such as large fields, stretches of pavement, and open bodies of water are
excluded from the treatments. You may see or hear the low flying aircraft in your area for a short period of time.
Exact dates and times depend greatly on weather conditions and insect development. You will be notified days in advance of
any treatments through a variety of ways:
h Check your mail. We will be sending a postcard in late April that will identify a timeframe for the treatments.
h Call MDA’s Arrest the Pest line (888-545-6684). The phone line will be updated with treatment information frequently.
h Follow the MDA on social media. Live updates will be made up to and on the day of treatment.
h Twitter at twitter.com/mnagriculture
h Facebook at www.facebook.com/mnagriculture
h Sign up for email updates. Go to www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth to get email updates before treatments.
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Gypsy moth defoliated this oak tree.
www.entomology.wisc.edu
What are the environmental and human health effects of Btk?
Btk toxicity is generally limited to caterpillars. Caterpillars are the immature stage of moths and butterflies. To have any effects,
caterpillars must be actively feeding within approximately two weeks after treatment, they must eat the Btk, and they must be
susceptible to the bacteria. The MDA works with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to identify, and evaluate impacts to any threatened or endangered species and ensure that no known sites of sensitive,
threatened, or endangered species of moths and butterflies overlap with this year’s proposed Btk treatments.
Btk is produced from a bacteria found in soils, plants and insects worldwide. It is cultured by fermenting grains and potatoes
with fish or cornmeal – a process similar to brewing beer. The final product contains water, Btk, leftover growth medium,
carbohydrates, and other ingredients approved as food additives. The product breaks down quickly in sunlight, but is extremely
potent to gypsy moths and can kill nearly 100% in treated areas under proper conditions.
Numerous studies have documented the low risk of Btk for humans, pets, and other species. Btk is a common product that is
approved for use in organic farming, and is an alternative to chemical pesticides. Unlike a broad-spectrum pesticide, Btk has a
very narrow target of caterpillars so it will not disrupt the balance of nature. More information can be found at
www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth. Click on “Learn more about Gypsy Moth.”
If you have individual human health concerns about Btk, contact your physician or other health care professional. For general
questions about health risks or steps to prevent or reduce exposures to Btk, see the Minnesota Department of Health website
at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/pesticide/bt.html or call 651-201-4899.
Getting more information
What happens next?
Public involvement and participation is encouraged. Citizens are invited to submit comments about the gypsy moth treatment
proposal in writing to the MDA. All comments will be reviewed and a response will be given. Comments received by March 20
will be most useful for identifying issues and alternatives. Contact information is provided at the end of this bulletin.
A postcard will be mailed to residents in the proposed treatment area in late April that will identify a timeframe for the treatment.
Where can I find out more?
The MDA and its partners are providing information about the gypsy moth, trapping data, and the proposed treatments at local
government and community organization meetings. Please join us at a meeting near you. You are also encouraged to contact us
with questions or comments using our contact information below.
Please join us at a 2017 Open House
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Sheridan Hills Elementary School
6400 Sheridan Ave. So., Richfield, MN 55423 4:00-6:30 pm
There will be no formal presentation at these locations. We invite you to take advantage of one-on-one time with several experts
from participating agencies that will be available to explain the treatment proposal and answer your questions.
Contact Us:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Website: www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth
Email: gypsy.moth@state.mn.us
Arrest the Pest Info Line: 888-545-6684 (MOTH)
Connect with Us:
To track the latest news on gypsy moth treatments, follow the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mnagriculture
Twitter: twitter.com/mnagriculture
Email: go to www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth to sign up
for email updates
Contact to report sightings
arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us
888-545-6685
ARREST
PEST
4Page
Plant Protection Division
625 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
Gypsy
Moth,
has been found in
your neighborhood!
Join us on
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
to learn about
a plan to
save our trees