2024-11-CSCCommunity Services Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:00 pm
Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Commission Members
Kris Anderson, Grace Bronken, David Vrieze Daniels, Michael Devane, Tessa Johanson (Chair),
Adam Kerekes, Jeff Klein, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Jim Reilly, BJ Skoog, Hayley Tompkins (Vice Chair)
Staff & Other Liaisons
Ben Whalen (City Council Liaison), Karl Huemiller (Recreation Services Director), John Evans (Analyst/Recording Secretary)
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Comments and items not printed on agenda
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Regular October CSC Meeting (10/15/24)
STAFF REPORTS
• Recreation Services (Huemiller)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
• Donaldson Building Project Update
ACTION ITEM
• Friends of Wood Lake Board Reappointments: Richard Morey and Kathryn Louis (Johanson)
• Cancel December Regular Meeting (Johanson)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Transportation Commission (Devane)
• FOWL Board (Johnson-Kreps)
• Planning Commission (Kerekes)
• Arts Commission (Skoog)
• Sustainability Commission (Anderson)
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, December 17, 7:00 pm
Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room)
Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 pm
Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room)
ADJOURNMENT
October 15, 2024
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT CSC: Adam Kerekes, David Vrieze Daniels, Kris Anderson, BJ Skoog, Jim Reilly, Tessa Johanson, Hayley Tompkins
STAFF: Karl Huemiller (Recreation Director), John Evans (Analyst/Recording Secretary)
ABSENT CSC: Grace Bronken, Jeff Klein, Jessica Johnson Kreps, Mike Devane
CALL TO ORDER/COMMENTS
Chair Johanson called the meeting to order at 7:04.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tompkins moved, seconded by Skoog, to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting. Approved.
STAFF REPORTS
Recreation Services
Director Huemiller reported on the following:
• Staff is continuing with the information sessions about the local sales tax referendum. Staff has brought materials to different
community events, senior housing facilities, and has held open houses and tours.
• Staff has been meeting with architects about possibilities for a new building at Donaldson Park.
• Digging will begin for the construction of the splash pad, by the existing Richfield Pool.
• Shade structure will be built this fall in front of the Richfield Band Shell.
• Programming is doing well with great registration numbers. Staff is working on redesigning and freshening the look of the Recreation
Programs brochure.
• The Paddles and Stones fundraiser for Wood Lake Nature Center was cancelled due to low enrollment. Pickleball is all set up on the
dry floor in the Arena, so it will be put to other uses.
• Planning is underway to accommodate Wood Lake staff during the building project. Wood Lake programming will take place at the
Community Center and in the parks.
• Revised Wood Lake building plans were shared with the group.
• The Madison Park building will be available for rent over the winter, which is a new offering for the department.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Boulevard Planting Permit Process
Huemiller reviewed the City’s ordinance regarding setting plantings back from the street by 8—10 feet with the following points:
-There is currently a permit process for planting in that space, primarily because Public Works staff wants to review permanent structures or
trees with roots that may interfere with buried utilities, obstruct visibility on corners, prevent winter snow storage or interfere with vehicle doors
being opened.
- As par of the review, staff inform residents that they will not be reimbursed for anything damaged in the right of way if construction occurs it
the right of way.
Anderson said that she brought this issue to the group because it’s important for the community to promote native plantings and pollinator
health. She said that she understands the need for a permit, but other cities often reimburse residents for these plantings. She said that the
community has many great resources: various garden clubs, etc. and residents could be provided with lists of native plantings and other
recommended plantings. Reilly asked if a permit was required for native plantings in yards: Huemiller said that a permit is required for that
strip within 8—10 feet of the street. Huemiller said that the ordinance also mandates that plants in the boulevard are 8” or shorter. Vrieze
Daniels said that this would also include Little Free Libraries. Tompkins said that people should be encouraged to plant native plants, so
maybe shorter native plants could be identified that wouldn’t require a permit. Anderson said that Minneapolis has a program where they
provide grants for pollinator plantings and even issue awards for boulevard plantings. She said that it would be ideal to not have to pay the
permit fee and residents would be provided with guidance about what kind of plantings would not be intrusive. Vrieze Daniels said that since
the permit fee does pay for staff time, maybe other programs could help fund the permit fee somehow. Skoog asked what the formal action
would be by the CSC; Huemiller said that it would be a vote to recommend Council approval of an ordinance update. Anderson said that the
Sustainability Commission could also recommend approval. Huemiller said that he will pass the issue on to the Sustainability Commission to
determine their support and any work on new wording for the City Code would need to involve Public Health and Public Works.
ACTION ITEMS
Friends of Wood Lake Member Appointments
Anderson moved, seconded by Skoog, to appoint Amber Lattanzio and William Matthews to a three-year term on the Friends of Wood Lake
Board. Approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning: Kerekes; Arts: Skoog, Sustainability: Anderson
OTHER/NEXT MEETING/ADJOURNMENT
Regular November Meeting: Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:56 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
Agenda Item
Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment
Agenda Section
Action Items
Attachments
FOWL Board Applications: Richard Morey & Kathryn Louis
Contact
Tessa Johanson
Recommended Action
Reappoint Richard Morey and Kathryn Louis to the Friends of Wood Lake Board for a three-year term.
The Community Services Commission appoints members to the Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) Board of Directors.
Appointments are made throughout the year. Board members serve three-year terms and can be reappointed to
multiple terms. The applicants being considered for reappointment are Richard Morey and Kathryn Louis.
CITY OF RICHFIELD APPLICATION
FRIENDS OF WOOD LAKE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM:
Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive,
psmithson@richfieldmn.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Paul Smithson, Nature Center Manager
psmithson@richfieldmn.gov 612-861-9365
LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL
DATE
ADDRESS
HOME PHONE
CELL PHONE
EMAIL
The Friends of Wood Lake has been raising money and awareness for Wood Lake Nature Center since 1990. Wood
Lake is regarded by the community as a gem in the middle of the city, but financial challenges are inevitable as staff
continues to find resources for building and trail maintenance, facility improvements, programming, and all of the things
that are essential to continue operating for generations to come. We appreciate your interest in getting involved with the
Friends of Wood Lake!
Y N PLEASE ANSWER “Y” OR “N”
I can attend most meetings (held on the third Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 pm, at Wood Lake Nature
Center (the Board meets 10 times a year, skipping July and December).
I will volunteer at one or more of these Wood Lake events: Halloween (October), the Urban Wildland
running event (July), or Candlelight and Ice (December 31).
I will help represent Wood Lake at events held in the community by staffing tables, attending social
functions and business gatherings.
I will help solicit prizes and sponsorships for the annual FOWL dinner, Wood Lake’s largest fundraiser.
I will attend the FOWL dinner on the last Friday in April, helping with the selling of tickets, silent auction etc.
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
I have the following skills/experience to offer ( please circle all that apply)
□FUNDRAISING (soliciting prizes, grant writing, etc) □PUBLIC RELATIONS □FINANCE
□GRAPHIC DESIGN □OTHER__________________
WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE BOARD?
CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
OCCUPATION
REFERENCES (OPTIONAL)
CHECK HERE. I have read and understand the duties and expectations of the Friends of Wood Lake board as written above.
CITY OF RICHFIELD APPLICATION
FRIENDS OF WOOD LAKE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM:
Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive,
psmithson@richfieldmn.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Paul Smithson, Nature Center Manager
psmithson@richfieldmn.gov 612-861-9365
LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL
DATE
ADDRESS
HOME PHONE
CELL PHONE
EMAIL
The Friends of Wood Lake has been raising money and awareness for Wood Lake Nature Center since 1990. Wood
Lake is regarded by the community as a gem in the middle of the city, but financial challenges are inevitable as staff
continues to find resources for building and trail maintenance, facility improvements, programming, and all of the things
that are essential to continue operating for generations to come. We appreciate your interest in getting involved with the
Friends of Wood Lake!
Y N PLEASE ANSWER “Y” OR “N”
I can attend most meetings (held on the third Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 pm, at Wood Lake Nature
Center (the Board meets 10 times a year, skipping July and December).
I will volunteer at one or more of these Wood Lake events: Halloween (October), the Urban Wildland
running event (July), or Candlelight and Ice (December 31).
I will help represent Wood Lake at events held in the community by staffing tables, attending social
functions and business gatherings.
I will help solicit prizes and sponsorships for the annual FOWL dinner, Wood Lake’s largest fundraiser.
I will attend the FOWL dinner on the last Friday in April, helping with the selling of tickets, silent auction etc.
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
I have the following skills/experience to offer ( please circle all that apply)
□FUNDRAISING (soliciting prizes, grant writing, etc) □PUBLIC RELATIONS □FINANCE
□GRAPHIC DESIGN □OTHER__________________
WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE BOARD?
CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
OCCUPATION
REFERENCES (OPTIONAL)
CHECK HERE. I have read and understand the duties and expectations of the Friends of Wood Lake board as written above.