3-18-14 ACCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS CCOOMMMMIISSSSIIOONN AAGGEENNDDAA
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center (Fireside Room), 7000 Nicollet Ave
Commission Members Staff Liaisons
Reed Bornholdt Carolyn Engeldinger Teresa Kruse Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison) Tom Rublein (Planning Com)
Crystal Brakke Terry Heinze Arlan Nelson John Evans (Secretary) Edwina Garcia (City Council)
Dan Edgerton Tracy Hollenback Michele Thompson
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting: February 18, 2014
2. Public Comment
Resident comment and items not printed on agenda
3. Welcome New Members
Carolyn Engeldinger
4. Staff Reports
Recreation Services (Topitzhofer)
Roosevelt Park Shelter Donation
Minnesota Magicians and Arena Improvements
Community Garden Relocation
5. Action Items
Continue Appointment of Liaisons (Bornholdt)
6. Discussion Items
Taft Fishery Grant Application (Topitzhofer)
Discuss Veterans Park Play Equipment Replacement Process (Topitzhofer)
7. Committee Reports
Transportation Commission (vacant)
Band Shell Taskforce (Bornholdt)
FOWL Board (Brakke)
Planning Commission (vacant)
Arts Commission (Thompson)
8. Next Meeting
Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center
9. Adjournment
February 18, 2014
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Arlan Nelson, Reed Bornholdt, Terry Heinze, Michele Thompson, Crystal Brakke
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans
COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
ABSENT CSC: Tracy Hollenback, Dan Edgerton, Teresa Kruse
PLAN COM: Tom Rublein
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Topitzhofer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Thompson noted that the minutes from January included a reference to the
December meeting cancellation. Bornholdt moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting with
the aforementioned correction. Approved, ayes all.
New Member
Topitzhofer introduced new member Brakke. He said that another new member, Kruse, was absent.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Taft Ice Fishing Event: Well-attended, especially considering the cold weather.
Band Shell: The Council passed a resolution on 2/11 in support of Vets Park as the site for the proposed band shell.
Coyote Activity: Wood Lake staff, Topitzhofer, and Edina Public Safety staff presented an open house about coyote encounters,
hazing a coyote away from your property, and facts, and posted the presentation online.
MN Magicians: Attendance has been satisfactory, as have been beer and food sales. The locker room project will slow down for a
period as some expenses have increased.
Community Garden Relocation: A meeting was held with gardeners to talk about efforts to avoid theft and overuse of water: ID cards
will be issued, timers will likely be put on water spigots, and larger plots may be offered at a higher price for some gardeners.
Action Items
Chair/Vice Chair/Liaisons
Nelson moved, seconded by Heinze, to nominate Bornholdt as 2014 Chair. Approved, ayes all. Bornholdt moved, seconded by
Heinze, nominated Nelson as 2014 Vice Chair. Approved, ayes all. The following liaison appointments were made: FOWL Board:
Brakke, Arts: Thompson, Band Shell: Bornholdt. The group decided to wait to appoint Transportation and Planning Liaisons since
Edgerton may want to continue in those roles and was absent.
Event Permit Policy
Topitzhofer presented the draft Event Permit Policy with some edits made after Nature Center Naturalist Amy Markle presented a draft
in January. Suggestions were made to either provide less of a discount for green practices or clearly define what practices would
qualify. Thompson moved, seconded by Brakke, to recommend Council approval of the policy with the stated edits and considerations.
Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items
2015-2019 Parks Capital Improvement Plan
Topitzhofer presented the draft 2015-2019 CIP. He explained that items are prioritized with criteria in mind, like safety, new
construction or repair, comprehensive plan compatibility, etc. He said that the group could begin to review the plan and another draft
would be brought to the group for consideration in March or April.
Committee Reports
Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular March Meeting
Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave).
Nelson moved, seconded by Heinze, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:41 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: March 18, 2014
Agenda Item
Elect Chair & Vice Chair/Appoint Liaisons (continued from February)
Agenda Section
Elections/Appointments
Attachments
None
Contact
Reed Bornholdt
The Commission suspended appointments of some liaisons at the last meeting so members that were not in
attendance would have an opportunity to participate. Liaisons still need to be appointed for the Planning
Commission and Transportation Commission.
Position Duties/Frequency
Planning Commission Liaison Reports on monthly meetings (every 4th Mon, 7 pm)
Transportation Commission Reports on monthly meetings (every 1st Wed, 7 pm)
Recommended Action: Appoint _________________ to serve as Planning Commission Liaison and
________________ to serve as Transportation Commission Liaison, with all terms expiring immediately after
the regular meeting in January, 2015.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: March 18, 2014
Agenda Item
Taft Fishery Grant Application
Agenda Section
Discussion
Attachment
Richfield Connect Survey Results Summary
Contact
Jim Topitzhofer
The City is preparing a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for fishery
improvements to Taft Park. The grant application is in the amount of $60,000 and is due on March 31, 2014.
A matching contribution of $60,000 is included in the approved Capital Improvement Budget to create a total
project budget of $120,000. Planned improvements for the project include:
Access for non-motorized watercraft (canoes & kayaks)
Construction of shoreline fishing platforms
Construction of an open-sided picnic shelter
Retro-fitting existing fishing pier to accommodate children and wheelchair users.
The City just launched a new online platform that provides elected officials, staff, and citizens the opportunity
to give feedback on a variety of City matters. The new site is called Richfield Connect and the first item
highlighted was the Taft Fishery Improvement Project, which was open to feedback for one month and
received responses from 51 residents. The attached report summarizes responses which were very favorable
to the project and the proposed amenities. Jim Topitzhofer will present the project in more detail to the
meeting.
This poll has1,307 views, 77 votes, 51 interactions
What improvements would you like to see at Taft Lake to enhance the fishing experience?
Canoe/Kayak Access 20 votes
Shoreline Fishing Platform 20 votes
Picnic Shelter 19 votes
Canoe/Kayak Storage Rack Rental 14 votes
Other (see comments) 4 votes
COMMENTS
Marc H: It will only work if you find a way to stop people from walking him with buckets of fish of all sizes.
Had that not happened 10 years ago the lake might be stocked plentiful!
Debbie G: I would like to see a beach for swimmers
Anton D: Stock it with fish would be good
Reply: Jim T: Thanks for your comment Anton. The DNR began stocking Taft Lake two years ago. This lake
will continue to be stocked every spring. ~Jim
Thomas C: Same thing Joy J2 ‐ walking/biking paths. The new pavement last year was nice, but it needs to go
all the way around.
Reply: Jim T: Thanks for your comment Thomas. There currently is a walking path that circles the lake and
connects to the other paths in the park. We will be making some improvement to this perimeter trail
including raising the low area on the South side.~Jim
Hyatt H: I would like better fishing on the lake. My experience has been that the fishing is significantly worse
on Taft lake than others in the area. Maybe stocking could be done.
Reply: Jim T: Thanks for your comment Hyatt. The DNR has stocked Taft lake for the last two years and
will continue stocking annually every spring. We're hoping to improve fishing conditions to make this lake
a good urban fishery. ~Jim
Joy J: I would like to see a viable walking path around the lake or at least somewhere near the road. It is
dangerous to walk down that curvy street dealing with the Zerorez traffic and people driving to Target/Home
Depot trying to get around all of the construction. Just make it a more user friendly space. It could be really
nice. It's just dumpy and run down right now. Richfield is not making the best use of this space.
Reply: Jim T: Thanks for your comment Joy. There currently is a walking path that circles the lake that
connects with the other walking paths in Taft Park. ~Jim
Reply: Elizabeth F: Hi Joy, I would like to add to Jim's comment and let you know that as part of our Taft
Lake/Legion Lake Project taking place this summer, the road around Taft Lake has been closed and will
remain closed and removed permanently. This road closure should enhance the walking experience
around Taft Lake.
Donna G: Improved bike and walking paths
Reply: Jim T: Thanks for your comment Donna. We will be making some improvements to the perimeter
trail including raising the low area on the South side. Feel free to suggest any other specific improvements.
~Jim
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: March 18, 2014
Agenda Item
Discuss Veterans Park Play Equipment Replacement Process
Agenda Section
Discussion
Attachments
Veterans Park Play Equipment Pictures
Contact
Jim Topitzhofer
One of the park improvement projects planned for this summer includes the replacement of play equipment at
Veterans Memorial Park. The existing play equipment (see attached photos) was installed in 1990 and is due
for replacement. Veterans Park is classified as a Community Park and is a destination for the entire
community and beyond. Therefore, a larger play equipment structure has been installed and is considered the
City’s signature pay feature. The existing equipment will be removed after kids are back in school this fall and
new equipment installation will follow. The project budget is $127,400.
Play equipment replacement for a number of years has only involved equipment installed in smaller
neighborhood parks. Our planning process for these smaller projects included gathering feedback from the
adjoining neighborhood through a meeting at the park to determine general preferences such as equipment
features, themes, and colors. Since the use of play equipment at Vets Park extends well beyond its adjoining
neighborhood, a new planning process is recommended:
March 18 Discuss Planning Process
April 10 Post project on Richfield Connect to gather input from the community for four weeks
May 20 Present Request for Proposal (RFP) to Community Services Commission. Select
scoring team. Advertise RFPs.
June 17 to July 16 Conduct public meeting to present top scoring projects
July 22 Council Consideration of Contract
July 23 Order New Equipment and Materials
September 23 Remove Existing Equipment and Begin Installation of New Equipment
October 15 New Equipment Installed
Jim Topitzhofer will lead a discussion at the meeting to refine the above process to plan and execute the
replacement of play equipment at Veterans Park.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PLAY EQUIPMENT