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2024-10-15 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 September CSC Meeting (9/17/24) STAFF REPORTS •Recreation Services (Huemiller) DISCUSSION ITEMS • Boulevard Planting Permit Process (Huemiller/Anderson) ACTION ITEM •Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointments: Amber Lattanzio & William Matthews (Johanson) COMMITTEE REPORTS •Transportation Commission (Devane) •FOWL Board (Johnson-Kreps) •Planning Commission (Kerekes) •Arts Commission (Skoog) •Sustainability Commission (Anderson) NEXT MEETING Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 pm Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room) ADJOURNMENT September 17, 2024 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Jefferson Park (6700 Thomas Ave) PRESENT CSC: David Vrieze Daniels, Kris Anderson, BJ Skoog, Jim Reilly, Grace Bronken, Tessa Johanson, Hayley Tompkins, Jessica Johnson Kreps, Mike Devane STAFF: Karl Huemiller (Recreation Director), John Evans (Analyst/Recording Secretary), Chris Link (Public Works) ABSENT CSC: Adam Kerekes, Jeff Klein CALL TO ORDER/COMMENTS Chair Johanson called the meeting to order at 7:01. Devane relayed comments received at Penn Fest regarding the play equipment at Fairwood being very similar to the equipment at Monroe Park. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Anderson moved, seconded by Skoog, to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting, with a correction to a date error. Approved. STAFF REPORTS Public Works Deputy Public Works Director Link reported on the following: • Damage to some trees at Richfield Lake that occurred when clearing the vegetation back from the walking trail. He said that some of the work done was meant to be followed up with finish work, but then the storm hit and the workers were not able to get back to finish the work at Richfield Lake, with over 200 reports of limbs hanging and down. Other landscaping and cleanup work is performed as staff is able, but the budget doesn’t permit a complete landscaping renovation. • A park infrastructure report is being completed this fall that will be brought to the CSC to help inventory equipment and identify needs. • Crews continue to treat for Emerald Ash Borer and remove and replace affected trees. Removed trees are replaced the following year; about 30 different varieties are used to establish a diverse boulevard tree stock. The group brainstormed ways to share information with the community (social media, e-communication channels, etc). Recreation Services Director Huemiller reported on the following: • Wood Lake Nature Center Building Project is in the design/development phase. Science Museum of MN has contracted with Richfield to design the science and nature educational displays. Mortensen has been chosen as the Construction Manager. Wood Lake Open House: September 25, 6:30-8:00 pm. • Wood Lake fundraiser at Ice Arena in October called Paddles and Stones, a Pickleball and Curling tournament. • Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K had about 1,000 runners. Course will be altered for 2025 due to building construction. • Veterans Park splash pad: permits in progress; construction begins this fall. • Ice Arena will lease ice time to Minneapolis Hockey while other area arenas are down. Five-year lease. • Farmers Market has been going strong: grant was received to buy leftover food for VEAP. • Vets Park shelter rentals have been numerous, but there have been issues with parking on the grass, so staff will probably charge a damage deposit of $200. • Programming is growing; new programs have been introduced; much fewer cancellations due to low enrollment. Adult Pickleball leagues have been very popular. • Fee Assistance Program has been well-used. • Field rentals have been very strong this year. Soccer fields are in high demand. • Hoop Local 3v3 Tournament was held at Donaldson on July 20. DJ, food truck, etc. Raised money for new hoops at Monroe Park. • Penn Fest was held on Sunday, September 15. Lots of attendees. • Local Sales Tax referendum. Three projects that will be on the ballot: Wood Lake Nature Center, Community Center, and improvements to the Vets Park facilities (Pool, Ice Arena, shelter, trails). Facility tours have been held and more are scheduled. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. • Donaldson Park planning is underway for the new building, needed for the grant application, but the project will happen in 2026. • Augsburg Skate Park expansion project is complete and the facility is re-opened. Tompkins reported that a group of teenaged residents will be reporting to the City Council regarding their feelings and observations about public spaces around Richfield. ACTION ITEMS Friends of Wood Lake Member Appointment Skoog moved, seconded by Tompkins, to appoint Jessica Snively to a three-year term on the Friends of Wood Lake Board. Approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS Transportation: Devane, Arts: Skoog, Sustainability: Anderson OTHER/NEXT MEETING/ADJOURNMENT Regular October Meeting: Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:12 pm. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. Created: 2024-10-07 12:11:24 [EST] (Supp. No. 39) Page 1 of 2 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Meeting Date: October 15, 2024 Agenda Item Boulevard Planting Permit Process Agenda Section Discussion Items Attachments Richfield City Code Section 811: Private Use of Boulevards Contact Karl Huemiller Recommended Action Discuss the process for applying for a Right-of-Way Access Permit. Richfield City Code currently requires residents to apply for a Right-of-Way Access permit if they are considering plantings in the boulevard or public right-of-way. Applications for these permits are considered and, if applicable, issued by Public Works staff. It has been requested that the Community Services Commission discuss the application process for this permit, the criteria used when considering these applications, and the terms and guidelines of the permit. Below is the section of the City Code pertaining to the private use of boulevards: CHAPTER VIII - STREETS, ALLEYS, AND PUBLIC GROUNDS SECTION 811. PRIVATE USE OF BOULEVARDS (Added, Bill No. 1996-1) 811.01. Purpose and intent. The City wishes to permit private parties to make certain improvements within city boulevards or unopened rights-of-way as authorized by the Public Works Director, while striving to keep City rights-of-way in a state of good repair and free from unnecessary encumbrances. (Amended, Bill No. 2013-11) 811.02. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, a boulevard means that area within the public right-of-way, located between the back of street curb and the nearest lot line of privately-owned land. (b)For purposes of this section, an unopened right-of-way means any area in which the city has an easement for street or alley right-of-way but that the city has not opened to public travel. (Added, Bill No. 2013-11) 811.03. Maintenance responsibility. A private property owner is responsible for maintenance of the boulevard or unopened right-of-way directly abutting the owner's property. Such maintenance includes, but is not limited to, mowing grass, watering, and removing weeds. (Amended, Bill No. 2013-11) 811.05. Private use of boulevards. With a boulevard, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow except the following: (a)Grass and/or flowers (non-noxious varieties only); (b)Trees authorized under section 810 of this code; (c)Excavations for installation of essential services, driveways, and curb cuts (or related improvements) authorized under section 800 of this code; (d)Those features authorized under section 811.07 of this code; and (e) Those improvements erected, placed, or planted on the boulevard by, or under contract with: (1)The City; (2)Hennepin County along county owned roads; or Created: 2024-10-07 12:11:24 [EST] (Supp. No. 39) Page 2 of 2 (3) Minnesota Department of Transportation along state owned roads. 811.06. Private use of an unopened right-of-way. Within an unopened right-of-way, nothing shall be erected, placed, or installed except for private improvements as authorized by subsection 811.07 of this code. (Added, Bill No. 2013-11) 811.07. Certain private improvements. Subdivision 1.Definition of private improvement. The City realizes that in certain instances a private property owner may wish to erect, place, or plant certain private improvements within the boulevard or unopened right-of-way abutting the owner's land. Such private improvements include, but are not limited to, ornamental fences, hedges, berms, sidewalks, driveways, pavement, planters, statues, irrigation systems, rock and landscaping (hereinafter "private improvement"). Private improvements shall not include any permanent features such a concrete foundation or other feature requiring major removal efforts. Subd. 2.Permit required. No person shall erect, place, or plant any private improvement within a boulevard or unopened right- of-way abutting their private property without first obtaining a permit from the Public Works Director. In addition, any existing feature which does not hold a valid permit shall require a permit at the time of any reconstruction or repair, or earlier if required by the City. If the abutting boulevard is owned by Hennepin County or the Minnesota Department of Transportation, a permit may also be required by such jurisdiction. Subd. 3.Application and fee. A person requesting a permit under this subsection shall submit an application on forms provided by the City, together with the fee established in appendix D. The application shall be accompanied with scale drawings of the boulevard or unopened right-of-way and the proposed private improvement, as well as a written description of the materials and construction methods to be used. Subd. 4.Review of application. The Director may deny any application if the Director determines that the private improvement would cause, or could cause in the future, any inconvenience to the public. In review of an application, the Director considers factors including, but not limited to, the following: (a) Effect of the private improvement on snow plowing and snow storage; (b) Effect of the private improvement on public safety, including traffic visibility and pedestrian safety; (c) Effect of the private improvement on public land and public or private utilities; and (d) The public necessity and utility of the private improvement and the availability of alternate locations for the private improvement. To appeal the denial of a permit application, the aggrieved applicant must submit a written request for hearing to the City Manager within seven (7) days following receipt of the decision of denial. Appeals will be heard within 30 days after receipt of the written request by a panel consisting of the City Manager, the Director of Public Safety, and the Director of Community Development, or their designates. The decision of the appeal panel is final. Subd. 5.Permit revocation. The City reserves the right to revoke any permit at any time and for any reason. If the permit is revoked, the property owner has 60 days to remove the private improvement. Subd. 6.Maintenance of private improvement. The abutting landowner shall be responsible for the maintenance of any private improvement located within the boulevard or unopened right-of-way. Subd. 7.Damage to or by private improvement. The City will assume no responsibility and the abutting landowner shall assume all responsibility for any damage caused to or by any private improvement located within the boulevard or unopened right-of-way. Subd. 8.Removal requirement. Any private improvement not holding a valid permit is deemed to be a public nuisance and is subject to abatement according to subsection 925.07 of this code. The City may bill the property owner for the cost of abatement or assess the cost of abatement against the abutting property in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 429 or other applicable law. Subd. 9.Conditions. A person requesting a permit under this subsection must: (a) Accept all of the terms of this subsection; (b) Commence and complete the private improvement within the time specified in the application; and (c) Make such private improvement at the person's own sole expense without any expense of any kind to the City. (Amended, Bill No. 2013-11) RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Meeting Date: October 15, 2024 Agenda Item Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment Agenda Section Action Items Attachments FOWL Board Applications: Amber Lattanzio & William Matthews Contact Tessa Johanson Recommended Action Appoint Amber Lattanzio & William Matthews 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 appointment are Amber Lattanzio & William Matthews. 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.