9-16-14CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS CCOOMMMMIISSSSIIOONN AAGGEENNDDAA
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center (Fireside Room), 7000 Nicollet Ave
Commission Members Staff Liaisons
Reed Bornholdt, Crystal Brakke, Joannette Cintron de Nunez,
Dan Edgerton, Carolyn Engeldinger, Terry Heinze,
Tracy Hollenback, Teresa Kruse, Arlan Nelson,
Celestin Radison, Michele Thompson
Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison)
John Evans (Secretary)
Chris Link (Public Works)
Tom Rublein (Planning Com)
Edwina Garcia (City Council)
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting: July 15, 2014
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Public Comment
Resident comment and items not printed on agenda
4. Staff Reports
Recreation Services (Topitzhofer)
Vets Play Equipment
Roosevelt Picnic Shelter
Emily Day Shelter
Open Streets at Penn Fest
Bike to the Market Day
5. Action Items
Invasive Vegetation Control Plan (Link)
Parkland No-Mow Policy (Link)
Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment (Bornholdt)
6. Discussion Items
Veterans Park Boardwalk (Topitzhofer)
7. Committee Reports
Transportation Commission (Edgerton)
Band Shell Taskforce (Bornholdt)
FOWL Board (Brakke)
Planning Commission (Engeldinger)
Arts Commission (Thompson)
8. Next Meeting
Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 pm
Richfield Community Center
9. Adjournment
July 15, 2014
REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Carolyn Engeldinger, Teresa Kruse, Arlan Nelson, Reed Bornholdt, Terry Heinze, Michele Thompson,
Dan Edgerton, Celestin Radison, Joannette Cintron de Nunez
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
ABSENT CSC: Tracy Hollenback, Crystal Brakke
PLAN COM: Tom Rublein
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes/Introductions
Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Thompson moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular May
meeting. Approved, ayes all. New member Celestin Radison was introduced to the group. Thompson moved, seconded by Kruse, to
approve the agenda for this evening. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Fourth of July: Successful street dance, fireworks, parade. New this year: food trucks. Nelson said that blocking part of Portland Ave.
hurt the Richfield Legion business.
Urban Wildland: Event coming up August 2. Benefits Wood Lake’s environmental education program.
Vets Park Boardwalk: In disrepair. Staff is getting quotes and planning to repair or replace it.
Action Items
Veterans Park Play Equipment Replacement Proposals Topitzhofer said that this process took a little longer than previous
playground replacement process because the project cost is over $100,000 and the City Attorney said that it would require sealed bids.
He said that there were State of MN purchasing contracts that enabled us to accept proposals based on a project cost without having to
open sealed bids. He said that the proposals were scored by Ann Hoffer, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, Jim Christensen, Parks
Maintenance Worker, and CSC Members Thompson and Kruse. He said that the five proposals were decisively narrowed down to two
proposals: Parkitecture and Midwest Playscapes. Nelson asked if the proposals met accessibility requirements for people with
disabilities. Topitzhofer said that all of the proposals meet ADA requirements. Engeldinger said that the Midwest Playscapes proposal
looks sparse. Topitzhofer said that fall zones are required to space out the play features. Engeldinger asked if there will be any green
space lost; Topitzhofer said that neither would take green space. He asked if the choice should be opened up to the public at large.
Kruse said that, since we have gathered input twice on Richfield Connect, there has been ample opportunity for the public to comment.
Garcia said that she would be in favor of spending more money on equipment for kids rather than adults. Edgerton said that his son
likes to run and climb along decks and bridges and this seems to have fewer than some. Topitzhofer said that some preference had
been voiced for climbing and active equipment, not just a stationary deck. Edgerton suggested gathering feedback from people who
use the park. He said that any further public-input meetings would definitely delay the project at this point. Kruse said that the public
has been invited to participate. Nelson said that polling people at the park may not represent people with kids with disabilities who
aren’t currently coming to the park. Thompson said that the users of the park will be wider than just a few people who may attend a
feedback meeting. Thompson said that her preference was for Midwest Playscapes because of the adult exercise equipment.
Engeldinger said that she wonders if we should explore inclusivity, rather than accessibility. Topitzhofer said that it would cost more
and require a new RFP process. Thompson moved, seconded by Engeldinger, to close the public-input process and solicit no further
feedback. Approved, eight ayes, one no (Edgerton). Thompson moved, seconded by Kruse, to recommend Council award of contract
to Midwest Playscapes for the Veterans Park Play Equipment Replacement Project. Approved, ayes all. Topitzhofer asked about color
preferences. Cintron de Nunez suggested slightly brigher colors for the Midwest Playscapes equipment than is depicted in the plan.
Kruse, Thompson, and Engeldinger said that they prefer more natural colors, like purple and green. The group decided by consensus
to go with purple and green coloring.
Cancellation of August Meeting
Kruse moved, seconded by to cancel the August CSC meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Edgerton reported that the group met jointly with the Council to discuss 66th Street options.
Band Shell Taskforce: Bornholdt reported that the Council approved an additional $75,000 from the capital improvement plan, as well
as a contract with an architect to begin design. Friends of Wood Lake: Garcia provided the report. Planning Commission:
Engeldinger provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular September Meeting Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave).
Edgerton moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2014
Agenda Item
Recreation Services Staff Report: Bike to Market Day
Agenda Section
Staff Reports
Attachments
Bike to Market Flyer
Contact
Jim Topitzhofer
Recommended Action
Discuss approaches to repair, replace or remove the existing boardwalk at Veterans Park.
The Community Services Commission is invited to Richfield Bike to Market Day to participate in
surrey races!
Richfield Bike to the Market Day, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 8:00 am to Noon, is an
event to encourage active living, physical activity, encourage non-motorized travel, and promote our
Richfield Farmers Market.
The event features Surrey Races; a surrey is a four-wheeled multi-passenger peddle bike. The
Community Services Commission is being challenged to form a team of four participants to join in on
the fun races. Please contact Jim Topitzhofer at 612-861-9394 or jtopitzhofer@cityofrichfield.org if
you are interested.
Sá b a do , e l 2 0
de s e ptie m b r e
8 a .m. a 1 2 :0 0 p .m.
RICHFIELD
B i c i c l e t a
p l a y era s o r t eo !
Profesionales
inspección de bicicletas!
Bicicleta de surrey carreras!
B ic ic le t a s o r t e o ! D í a de ir al M e rc a do Agr íc o l a de
R ic hf iel d en B ic ic l et a *
Para más informacón, llame al: (612) 861-9385 o web: www.richfieldfarmersmarket.org
Este evento no está patrocinado ni está promocionado por las Escuelas Públicas de Richfield.
Es possible por el apoyo del Statewide Health Improvement Program, Minnesota Department of Health
Dire cc ión
d e l M e rca d o
∗ Mercado Principal de Richfield
Sabados, mayo-septiembre, 7 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
octubre, 8 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Veteran Memorial Park Área de Picnic
En la esquina de la calle 64 y la Portland Avenida
Rutas de transporte público: 5, 111, 515, 553
Surrey Bike
Races!
RICHFIELD
B ike J e r se y Gi ve aw a y ! B ik e G iv e a w a y ! Professional Bike Checks!
M a r k e t Lo ca ti o n
Ri ch fi el d
Bi k e to th e Ma rk et Day *
Sa tu r da y ,
Sep te m b e r 2 0
8 a .m. to no o n
For more information, call: (612) 861-9385 or web: www.richfieldfarmersmarket.org
This activity is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Richfield Public Schools.
Made possible through support from the Statewide Health Improvement Program, Minnesota Department of Health
∗ Richfield Main Market
Saturdays, May-September, 7 a.m.-noon,
October, 8 a.m.-noon
Veterans Memorial Park Picnic Shelter
64th Street East and Portland Avenue South
Bus routes 5, 111, 515, 553
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2014
Agenda Item
Invasive Vegetation Control Plan
Agenda Section
Action Items
Attachments
None
Contact
Chris Link
Recommended Action
Approve the Invasive Species Management Policy for Richfield Lake, Veterans, and Taft Parks
City of Richfield Park Maintenance staff is seeking approval of an Invasive Species Management Plan for Richfield Lake,
Veterans, and Taft Parks. These parks were chosen because they each have perimeter paths that circle a body of water
which are used heavily. Sunlight on these trails attracts invasive species and the undesired vegetation is very visible to
trail users. Wood Lake was not chosen because they already have an established invasive species control program
through the use of a large number of volunteers.
There are several methods available to control invasive species including mowing, chemical application, and removal of
vegetation by hand. Timing is critical to the effectiveness of these methods, taking into account the seeding patterns of
various species. A coordinated approach using all three methods with timing in mind will be employed.
The Plan and maintenance responsibilities are as follows:
City Staff will mow 1’ from edges of paths on a regular basis throughout the mowing season.
Sentence to Serve crews will be scheduled to remove invasive species by hand and/or trimmer before seeds are
developed.
A licensed vendor will be contracted to apply chemical herbicide at optimal time on an annual basis.
Wood Lake Staff will conduct a community volunteer event at all three parks to remove undesired plants by hand.
Forestry crews will remove fallen trees in water areas during winter months.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2014
Agenda Item
Establishing “No Mow” areas in parks
Agenda Section
Action Items
Attachments
None
Contact
Chris Link
Recommended Action
Approve the plan to establish “No Mow” areas in various parks
City of Richfield Park Maintenance staff is seeking approval of a process to introduce “no mow” areas to City Parks. The
proposed policy is as follows:
1. Develop a proposal of “No Mow” areas on a park by park basis.
2. Staff will propose “No Mow” areas to Community Services Commission.
3. Staff will conduct an Open House at each park.
4. Community Services Commission to consider approval of the “No Mow” areas & policy.
Staff is interested in establishing “No Mow” areas for the following reasons:
Reduce the amount of time of mowing non-use areas.
Reduce the amount of fuel needed to mow parks.
Establish turf in hard-to-mow areas.
Staff is defining “No Mow” as areas that established ground cover will not be mowed on a regular basis. There may be
the need to mow these areas once or twice a year. Staff will provide pictures of current “No Mow” areas at the meeting.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2014
Agenda Item: Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment Agenda Section: Action Items
Attachments: FOWL Board Application Contact: Reed Bornholdt
Recommended Action: Appoint Anthony Bradford to the Friends of Wood Lake Board
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 applicant being considered for appointment is Anthony Bradford.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2014
Agenda Item
Veterans Park Boardwalk
Agenda Section
Discussion Items
Attachments
Map of Veterans Park
Contact
Jim Topitzhofer
Recommended Action
Discuss approaches to repair, replace or remove the existing boardwalk at Veterans Park.
The existing 1000-foot floating boardwalk at Veterans Park (see attached location map) was installed more than 25 years
ago and needs maintenance attention on a regular basis. Currently the Boardwalk is closed due to a separation of
sections. New sections have been ordered and will be replaced soon. The floating section uses a pebble like plastic
foam for flotation that is incased in a plastic shell. This plastic shell cracks and compromises the flotation material. The
boardwalk was original installed without railings. As the boardwalk ages, it becomes more unstable and the installation of
railings are recommended for continued use. The existing boardwalk has suffered from two separate cattail fires ignited
by vandals. Damaged sections were replaced after each fire.
Options to address current and future repairs are:
Continue repairing the boardwalk as need by replacing individual
broken sections at a materials cost of about $300 per section. Install
a galvanized railing on both sides of the boardwalk for a materials
cost of $48,000, not including installation cost. This is the
recommended approach at this time.
Replace the entire boardwalk with all new sections and railings at a
materials cost of about $150,000 not including disposal and
installation costs.
Abandon the boardwalk and replace it with a 75 foot long floating
dock with observation deck (see attached example) on the end
closest to the open body of water. Use the newest and best sections
and install railings at a materials cost of about $6,000, not including
disposal and installation costs.
Abandon the boardwalk entirely.
Staff recommends the first option at this time and seeks the advice of the Commission before further research is
completed for a long term solution.