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1997-11 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, November 18, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Auchstetter, Dietl, Erlander, Gilhousen, Krohn, Schaefer, Ulmer OTHERS PRESENT: Administrative Services Director Devich, Recreation Services Director Blank, School Liaison Walker, Chamber of Commerce President Steve Lindgren, Resident Tom Price, Golf Course Manager Darrel Harman, Ready Golf representative Chris Rich, staff member Hjortaas MEMBERS ABSENT: Loweth, Scaglia(ex) MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Chair Gilhousen at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse at Rich Acres Golf Course. Motion by Auchstetter to approve the minutes of October 14, 1997 with the exception Dietl and Scaglia were listed as both excused and in attendance. Second by Erlander. Motion Carried. Action Items Blank reviewed the insert to the commission packet on the Ball Field Replacement concept plan, and asked the Commission to consider approval of this plan presented by the Ball Park Relocation Task Force and Master Park Plan Sub Committee to go to the City Council. Changes have been made from recommendations to attempt to put eight little league fields in Roosevelt and Lincoln Fields trying not to take private property to fit these fields. Steve Lindgren, President of the Richfield Chamber of Commerce introduced Tom Price, owner of Woodlawn Terrace Mobile Homes. Lindgren explained the Chamber Board took a position opposing the taking of any mobile home land. Price also leases a ten foot strip of Lincoln Field Park from the City. Price explained he was present to answer questions and to support his residents of 30 years at the mobile home site. He explained his residents are tax payers and he has a good record with minimal calls to Public Safety. Taft was considered for four additional diamonds but this would involve wetland mitigation. Community Services Commission Meeting November 18, 1997 Page 2 If the Commission chooses not approve this plan, it would be taken back to the Task Force. If it is approved, it will be submitted to the City Council, formalized and then taken to the Legislature for funding. Motion by Auchstetter to approve the ball park relocation Concept plan with the stipulation that if there are any changes, the plan will go back to the appropriate groups. Second by Erlander. Motion carried. Discussion Items City Council, the Community Services Commission, the HRA and the Planning Commission held a joint meeting November 17 to discuss the concept plan for Richfield Lake. The State requires a holding pond as a result of the I35W freeway expansion. The holding pond plan is around two years away. The proposed multi-purpose building concept looks positive. MAC has offered $500,000 for the New Ford Town and Rich Acres parks. City attorneys/appraisers feel $3 million is more realistic. The City Manager indicated to MAC that Richfield will need to have a Community Facility because the parks have been taken. The Minnesota Children, Family and Learning Department is asking for $40 million for grants for a community buildings infrastructure program aimed at fourth to eighth grade youth for enhancement of non school hours for learning/recreation. They are asking the legislature to fund a bill for grants. Ten million dollars will go to Minneapolis, $10 million to St. Paul and the other $20 million for the rest of the State. Richfield could request a grant to assist in building the Community Facility. Committee Reports MRPA: No Report. Planning Commission: Much of the discussion they are involved in is rezoning of 77th Street and the Richfield Lake project. FOWL: October 18 from 1-4 p.m. the FOWL Board and volunteers picked up trash and cleaned the park as part of the Adopt-A-Park program. The City Council has approved a 20 foot soundwall on both sides of I35W. Plans are underway for the spring dinner scheduled the last week end in April. Community Services Commission Meeting November 18, 1997 Page 3 Master Park Plan Sub-Committee: Scaglia sent a report of the committee’s last meeting on November 11. They approved the recommendation of the Ball Park Task Force concerning field replacement as a concept plan. They went over the worksheet listing potential items to be included in the Master Park Plan. Some of the concerns included adding language on safety in the parks as it relates to design and to support the construction of a second sheet of ice if finances permit. They also support leaving the door open for the construction of a community center, brought in the dollars indicated by staff. This center would include an indoor pool, banquet space, meeting rooms, gyms, exercise rooms and running track. When the city-wide survey is completed it will be used in finalizing the plan. It is hoped this committee will have completed their work in February, 1997. Staff Reports Devich introduced Darrel Harman, Rich Acres Golf Course Manager who proposed a new concept for registrations that would increase the number of reservations and enhance customer service. Harman introduced Chris Rich from Ready Golf who explained how his company works and the advantages it could provide to Rich Acres. They are presently serving 18 courses including the five Minneapolis courses and plan to increase their customers to 25 for the 1998 season. Ready Golf would handle all the set up required which would include installation, software that matches that of Rich Acres and training of staff. Calls for reservations are routed to a call center and are always answered by a person. Tee times are guaranteed by credit card (that number goes on file along with an identification number or name) but golfing could be paid for at the golf course. Their system tracks golfers, times and history. At the end of the day, Ready Golf communicates with the course to go over sheets and to decide on billing. A record is maintained to indicate trouble golfers with an explanation of any problems. They can also offer golfers tee times at the other courses they maintain if Rich Acres is booked for the time they have available to play. Some Ready Golf methods of advertising are the yellow pages, the Internet, Golf Course Guide, KFAN radio and WCCO radio. There are different levels of service and costs that would be determined by the City Manager. If this system is installed and does not meet expectations, it will immediately be removed. The only negative issues could be that the “regulars” may not want to call in for a tee time and someone might not have a credit card. Positive issues are that Rich Acres can expect a minimum of 15% increased play and revenue, and if the facility is taken by MAC, this service can be easily transferred to another course. Community Services Commission Meeting November 18, 1997 Page 4 Motion by Erlander to recommend Ready Golf to the City Council. Second by Dietl. Security of credit card information and reservation time by credit card were discussed. A pin number/name would be issued to anyone reserving a time and with the use of this number, Ready Golf computers can immediately pull up the account, and the card number confidential. If a time is reserved with a card and play is with three others, the fee would be paid at the Rich Acres when they play. Motion carried. Devich reported the Rich Acres had a banner year. Figures indicate revenues had increased over $100,000 compared to the 1996 season that was $100,000 over 1995 figures. The course is in wonderful condition and the weather was exceptional. Mini Golf had 18,500 paid rounds and it is felt 1997 was the turning year for this course. The pool did not do well in 1997. The weather in the early summer created good conditions but as time went on and as the weather got cooler, so did the attendance. This facility is expensive to maintain and could have a major problem at any time. St. Louis Park and Edina had a great year with their new facilities. The City needs to actively look at what needs to be done with Richfield’s pool. Blank reviewed the Recreation Services report that was distributed to the Commission. Other Gilhousen announced she and Ulmer have expiring terms and will not be seeking reappointment to the Community Services Commission. Auchstetter’s term will expire and he will be reapplying. Adjournment Adjournment by consensus.