2023-09-CSCCommunity Services Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 7:00 pm
Richfield Municipal Center, Heredia Room
Commission Members
Meredith Bruzek, David Vrieze Daniels, Michael Devane, Jenna Hanson (Vice Chair), Tessa Johanson (Chair),
Adam Kerekes, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Brooke Nelson, BJ Skoog, Hayley Tompkins
Staff/Liaisons
Ben Whalen (City Council Liaison), Crystal Brakke (School Board Liaison)
Amy Markle (Recreation Services Director), John Evans (Recording Secretary), Karl Huemiller (Recreation Manager)
CALL TO ORDER
1. Approval of Minutes/Agenda
• Regular Meeting Minutes: June 20, 2023
• Regular Meeting Minutes: July 18, 2023
2. Public Comment
• Comments and items not printed on agenda
3. Staff Reports
• Recreation Programming Update (Markle)
4. Discussion Items
• Project Updates: Bike Park and Skate Park (Markle)
• Recreation Scholarship Program (Huemiller)
• Annual Council Report
5. Action Item
N/A
6. Committee Reports
• Transportation Commission (Devane)
• FOWL Board (Bruzek)
• Planning Commission (Kerekes)
• Arts Commission (Skoog)
• Sustainability Commission (Vrieze Daniels)
7. Next Meeting
Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 pm
Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room)
ADJOURNMENT
June 20, 2023
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Wood Lake Nature Center
PRESENT
CSC: Brooke Nelson, Jenna Hanson, Adam Kerekes, BJ Skoog, Hayley Tompkins, Tessa Johanson, Jessica Johnson-Kreps
STAFF: Amy Markle (Recreation Director), John Evans (Secretary), Kris Weiby (Pool/Arena Mgr), Paul Smithson (Wood Lake
Manager) COUNCIL: Ben Whalen
ABSENT CSC:, David Vrieze Daniels, Mike Devane Meredith Bruzek OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board)
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Chair Johanson called to order at 7:05. The regular minutes of the May meeting were approved, 7-0.
Staff Reports
Juneteenth Celebration
Skoog provided the report.
Recreation Services
Director Markle reported on the following legislative and recreation updates:
• The full bonding request for the Wood Lake Nature Center project was approved by the MN Legislature, as was the referendum for a local
sales tax, which will be on the ballot for the 2024 election.
• Staff finished revising our mission, vision, and values statements.
• Summer programs have begun and are seeing great attendance.
Discussion Items
Splash Pad Project: Public Engagement and Design Options
Weiby showed the two options being considered by staff for the new splash pad to be constructed adjacent to the Outdoor Pool. He invited
the CSC members to cast their vote for the design they prefer. He said that staff hosted an engagement event before the meeting from 3:30-
5:30 pm, where people voted on their favorite.
Wood Lake Nature Center Building Project
Markle reported that full bonding request for the Wood Lake Nature Center project was approved by the MN Legislature, as was the
referendum for a local sales tax, which will be on the ballot for the 2024 election.
Committee Reports
FOWL: Markle / PLANNING: Kerekes / SUSTAINABILITY: Whalen
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular July Meeting: Tuesday, July 18, 7:00 pm, Community Center
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:19 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
July 18, 2023
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Richfield Community Center
PRESENT CSC:Adam Kerekes, BJ Skoog, Hayley Tompkins, Tessa Johanson
STAFF: Amy Markle (Recreation Director), John Evans (Secretary)
ABSENT CSC: Brooke Nelson, Jenna Hanson, David Vrieze Daniels, Mike Devane, Meredith Bruzek, Jessica Johnson-Kreps
OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board) COUNCIL: Ben Whalen
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Chair Johanson called to order at 7:05. The group did not have a quorum, so no minutes were approved.
Staff Reports
Community Events
Skoog provided on Juneteenth, Hoop Local coming up July 22, and Galaxy Foods Block Party on August 19.
Recreation Services
Director Markle reported on the following legislative and recreation updates:
• Concept A was the preferred choice for the splash pad design options. The project will begin in the fall.
• The play equipment RFP for Donaldson and Fairwood was being edited to include info about the container at Donaldson. The project
vendor will be chosen in the late summer and the project could begin in the fall.
• Poolapalooza will be held on July 22.
• Taft Bike Park is on schedule for the fall.
• Skate Park expansion is on schedule for the fall.
Discussion Items
Inclusive Playground and Skate Park Expansion
Markle led the group on a tour of both facilities. She talked about the popularity of the playground for birthday parties and get-togethers. She
outlined the skate park expansion project and the plans for work to begin in the late summer or early fall.
Community Center
Markle said that a parking and feasibility study would be conducted to determine what could be built on the site of the existing community
center. She said that the project is part of the local sales tax proposal, but would probably not begin until 2030.
Committee Reports
PLANNING: Kerekes / ARTS: Skoog / FOWL: Markle
Next Meeting/Adjournment
The group agreed, by consensus, to cancel their August meeting.
Regular September Meeting: Tuesday, September 19, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:10 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.