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2012-10-16.- COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AGENDA Tuesday, October 16, 2012 7:00 pm Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) all Al. .h Fireside Room Commission Members Staff Liaisons Reed Bomholdt Terry Henze Bob Showell Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison) I Fred Wroge (Council Liaison) Gerry Charnitz (C) Greg Mangold (VC) Michele Thompson John Evans (Secretary) Tom Rublein (Planning Co.) Dan Edgerton Arlan Nelson LuAnn Werner Chris Link (POI -Operations) Kristin Asher (PW-Engineering) 1. Approval of Minutes • Regular Meeting: September 18, 2012 2. Public Comment • Resident comment and items not printed on agenda 3. Staff Reports • Recreation Services (Topitzhofer) 4. Discussion Items • Open House for Roosevelt Park Play Equipment (Topitzhofer) 5. Action Items • FOWL Board Appointment (Evans) 6. Committee Reports • Transportation Commission (Shotweil) • Band Shell Committee (Rublein, Bornholdt) • FOWL Board (Werner) • Green Team/Waste Hauling Study Group (Mangold, Werner, Edgerton) • Planning Commission (Thompson) • Arts Commission (Thompson) 7. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 7:00 pm Richfield Community Center 8. Adjournment REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Page Tuesday, September 18, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES Richfield Community Center (7D00 Nicollet Ave) UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. CSC: GeryY Chamitz, Greg Mangold, LuAnn Werner,T Heinze, Bob Shotwell, Reed Bornholdt, Michele Thompson, Dan Edgerton I STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link, Kris in her PLANNING COMMISSION: Tom Rublein OTHERS: Dave Butler (Bandshell Committee), Pete Willenbring (WSB), Environmental Friends of Vets Park Members CSC: Aden Nelson COUNCIL: Fred Wroge _ J I Call to Order/Approval of Minutes I Chamitz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Thompson moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting. Approved, ayes all. I Action Items I TAFT/LEGION LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Engineering Supervisor Asher reported that the City, in cooperation with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Metro Airports Commission, has prepared a plan to make improvements to the two areas to improve water quality and surrounding habitat. Chamitz suggested that the CSC look at the plans as they relate to the Parks Master Plan and the Comprehensive Plan to make sure nothing is conflicting. Topitzhofer said that this connects well with the plans to improve Taft Lake as a fishing destination. Two members of the Environmental Friends of Veterans Park group were in attendance and asked that the project consider any impact on the wildlife of the area. Asher said that the timeline would include Council consideration of an agreement with the other two entities to proceed with the plan, which would begin with the purchase of three affected homes on Bloomington Avenue, and would include opportunities for public input. Bornholdt moved, seconded by Shotwell, to approve the project's public -input process and project timeline. BANDSHELL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Butler reported that he and Topitzhofer met with a representative from Best Buy to ask about the possibility of their financial support for a bandshell. He said that the Best Buy rep was very interested in being a part of the project, but they would be interested in conducting a feasibility study and a survey to gauge the interest in such a facility in the community. He said that Best Buy would pay for the study, and the Bandshell Committee is asking the CSC to consider recommending Council approval of a feasibility study and capital improvement funds of $250,000 to contribute to the project. He said that the group has studied severe) possible locations for the rciand, even considering the airplane fly -over noise at the location, the group feels that Veterans Park is the best location for a bandWerner asked about a plan to maintain such a facility; Topitzhofer said that he had prepared a maintenance budget, as well as personnel costs to open and run the facility during concerts, which would be made available to the Council for consideration. Cha asked if the group had considered funds to be dedicated as legacy funds to help finance ongoing costs. Butler said that such a contribution may be requested of a specific contributor as part of their capital fund drive. Rublein said that it would seem that the airplane noise is extreme at the Vets Park location, but the noise at the site is not as disruptive as people may assume. Mangold said that he has enough concerns about cost, location, and need to not approve the project. Thompson moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to approve the Bandshell Committee's recommendations to Council. Charnitz suggested that the motion include the stipulation that the Council's commitment of $250,000 be contingent upon Best Buy's financial commitment. He said that the initial amount suggested by the subcommittee was $125,000. Topitzhofer and Bornholdt said that the $250,000 amount is now part of the five-year capital improvement plan. Charnitz suggested that the wording emphasize that this is the Bandshell Committee's recommendation, not the CSC's recommendation. Topitzhofer asked if the CSC could then make a direct recommendation, pending the noise and feasibility study results. Chamitz said that the CSC's direct recommendation could be considered pending these results, but this motion would be to authorize the Bandshell Committee to forward their recommendations to Council. Motion approved, seven ayes, one no (Mangold). I Discussion Items I EMERALD ASH BORER TREATMENT UPDATE Operations Coordinator Link said that staff has been treating the Emerald Ash Borer boulevard trees with the trunk injection method. He said that they've considered different ideas for encouraging residents who own Ash trees to either treat trees or remove affected trees. Edgerton asked if staff had considered a grant fund that would offer financial resources to help offset costs for privately -owned trees. Link said that they've considered that. He said that they recommend the trunk injection method over the soil drenching method for environmental and safety reasons. NATURAL VEGETATION PLAN FOR PARKS Link said that Parks Maintenance would like to identify areas in parks that are either difficult to maintain or grass may not grow well and target these areas for natural vegetation that would be lower maintenance and more drought -resistant than grass, trees, or other vegetation. He said that staff would follow up with plans at each park with neighborhood Input meetings and CSC consideration, similar to the process for replacing playground equipment. Chamitz asked if there similar plans would work on certain stretches of boulevard. Topitzhofer said that the Public Works Director has been considering options for maintaining those areas, including drought -resistant plants or incentives for residents to take care of the areas. I Staff Reports I _ Topitzhofer reported on the following: • Opening of the Augsburg Skate Park I • Construction at the Honoring All Veterans Memorial. • Open Streets at PennFest Construction of new Roosevelt Park play equipment; scheduling an open house. Page 2 Committee Reports The following committee reports were given: TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (Shotwell) I PLANNING COMMISSION (Rublein) I FOWL BOARD (Werner) GREEN TEAM/WASTE HAULING GROUP (Werner) ARTS COMMISSION (Thompson) I Next Meeting/Adjournment I REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, October 16, 7:00 pm, Community Center. ADJOURNMENT Bomholdt, moved, seconded by Edgerton, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:59 pm. RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Meeting Date: October 16, 2012 Agenda Item: Agenda Section: Roosevelt Play Equipment Open House Discussion Items Attachments: Contact: Blue Cross Blue Shield Grant Application Jim Topitzhofer Recommended Action: Siqn up to attend and help with the Open House. The play equipment has been replaced at Roosevelt Park. The City received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield to help fund the project in the amount of $10,000. The attached grant request had three goals: 1) Introduce a unique play experience that motivates children to become more physically active. 2) Conduct a well attended event that promotes use of the new equipment and that will demonstrate to policy makers a demand for play equipment that is specifically designed to provide a greater physical challenge. 3) Encourage the Richfield Community Services Commission to adopt a policy that adds a physical fitness parameter to the selection criteria used to score play equipment proposals on all future replacement projects. In keeping with the grant requirements, an Open House has been scheduled on October 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Roosevelt Park. Healthy Food will be served and a DOT survey will be conducted to see how kids and parents like the new equipment. Members of the Community Services Commission are strongly encouraged to attend and this is a great opportunity to receive valuable input from residents regarding play equipment replacement. We need a group of Commission volunteers to serve food and another group to be available to talk directly with visitors. A sign- up sheet will be passed around. Richfield: A Connected Community 2012 — Grant Application A project of: Roosevelt Park Play Equipment Replacement do: town BLOOMINGTON EOINA RICHFIELD Organization Name Citv of Richfield Contact Person Jim Tooitzhofer Phone 612-861-9394 E-mail Address iooitzhoferCacitvofrichfield.orc Amount of Request $10,000 Beginning and Ending Dates for Project Implementation: June 1 to October 30- 2012 This request meets the following considerations (mark all that apply) X Low-income populations and new immigrant families will be reached. X Community -wide dialogue will develop among participants and the broader community. X Policy changes will be made that contribute to an improved community (e.g. health, public safety, environment, etc.) X Relationships and bonds will be built among participants. X Project and/or program have ongoing sustainability. 1. Provide a brief description of the proposed project/request to be implemented? Attach descriptions of workshops, materials, and curriculum may be included. The City of Richfield has immediate plans to replace the existing play equipment at Roosevelt Park. Our proposed project is to install a new type of high intensity equipment that is specifically designed to provide children with a more concentrated physical fitness challenge that is fun to play on. A detailed description of this innovative equipment is attached in Exhibit A. Installation of the new play equipment will be followed up by a community -wide celebration event to promote the new park feature and stimulate interest in getting outside for fun and active play. A detailed description of the celebration event is attached in Exhibit B. 2. Goals and outcomes for this project? How will this proposed project/request benefit the community at large and low-income community members specifically? The goals of the project are as follows: • Introduce a unique play experience that motivates children to become more physically active. • Conduct a well attended event that promotes use of the new equipment and that will demonstrate to policy makers a demand for play equipment that is specifically designed to provide a greater physical challenge. • Encourage the Richfield Community Services Commission to adopt a policy that adds a physical fitness parameter to the selection criteria used to score play equipment proposals on all future replacement projects. The outcome of the project is to further develop a culture that would make healthy choice the easy choice in Richfield by striving to offer more ways for people to be active. There are no economic barriers to enjoy and benefit from the use of the play equipment. Roosevelt Park is highly accessible to an area of Richfield that has a concentrated number of low-income and new immigrant families. The Park is adjacent to Assumption Catholic Church which has a high percentage of Hispanic parishioners. The Park can easily be accessed through Metro Transit, City sidewalks and the new Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. See map of project location in Exhibit C. 3. How is the project sustainable? The project will be overseen by the Richfield Community Services Commission, charged to provide the City policy direction on park related matters. The Commission is responsible for selecting play equipment proposals and other improvements for all City parks. By actively participating in the community celebration event, the Commission will be encouraged to create a new policy which adds a physical fitness parameter to the selection criteria used to score play equipment proposals on all future play equipment projects. The funding for all park improvements is primarily through proceeds of City owned liquor stores which provides a sustainable source of funds for future play equipment replacement. The City routinely inspects and evaluates the condition of all play equipment and keeps a schedule of future replacement projects. After the new equipment is installed in Roosevelt Park, the next scheduled replacement locations are at Veterans Memorial Park and Garfield Park. 4. How will you evaluate your project? (i. e. What criteria will you use? Will there be written evaluations, etc.) A thorough evaluation of the project will take place at the celebration event by using a dot -survey technique. People attending the event will receive a number of colored dot stickers and will be encouraged to place the stickers on survey boards to indicate their satisfaction of the new type of play equipment. This survey technique has been used in the past at the Richfield Farmers Market and is particularly attractive to kids. The survey will also seek suggestions for other improvements in Richfield that offer more ways for citizens to eat healthy and be active. 5. Please include a budget of your project (including in -kind donations) Sources City of Richfield $60,000 Richfield: A Connected Community 2012 Grant $10,000 Private Donations from Local Organizations $1,000 Total Sources $71,000 uses Play Equipment and Installation $70,000 Food for Event $500 Advertising & Promotion $400 Supplies for Event 100 Total Uses $71,000 EXHIBIT C Roosevelt Park Location Map )0 324 A_^ 5no Q E 76th St E 76th St m m T a a � a Roosevelt Park m 7 �fi o 5 , E 77th St 0 E 77th St 0 E 77th St � sut Richhe'd i BIonminRton CU $ r� " Legal Address: 7644 4th Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423 Parking Lot Entrance: 77th Street at 4th Avenue FRIENDS OF WOOD LAKE BOARD OF DIRECTORS VACANCIES k trends of Wood Lake Nature Center Board of Directors 6710 Lake Shore Drive Richfield. MN 55423 Name Will Berend Telephone Number 612-280-6860 Email William. bcrend@gmail.com X I am interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Wood Lake Nature Center _ I am interested in serving on the Board of Directors but cannot do so at this time Please consider me at a later date I am interested in serving on a SubCommittee My interests in Wood Lake have been As a 9-year resident of Wood Lake I have always enjoyed visiting Wood Lake during all seasons However. it was not until I had children that I realized how fortunate and special it is to have Wood Lake available to us My oldest son has spent the last two summers silencing all of the camps available for his age group He has learned so much from the great stall and it has become a'second home." My younger son and I have taken classes during the school year as well. Wood Lake has given so much to my family and it is time for me to give back to Wood Lake. I would like the opportunity to be a member of the Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors