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1998-11 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, November 10, 1998 Richfield Water Plant Present: Commissioners: A. Auchstetter, R. Jabs, C. Krohn, B. McGlinn, C. Sharkey, T. Erlander, D. Schaefer, M. Scaglia Council Liaison: S. Rosenberg School Liaison: J. Sloss Staff: G. Watson, S. Devich, M. Eastling, K. Shragg, R. Hughes, F. White Absent: R. Dietl (ex), C. Strobl (ex), T. Loweth Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Rick Jabs at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Water Plant. Jabs suggested moving the Maintenance Facility issue up on the agenda item. He also added an agenda item for the Multi-Purpose Recreational Facility Task Force. Motion by Jabs to approve the minutes of the November 10 meeting as written. Second by Schaefer. Motion Carried. Action Items Maintenance Facility Update and Recommendation Public Works Director Eastling presented an update on the proposed Maintenance Facility planning process. He stated that an Open House was planned for November 18, 1998, which would be an opportunity to present final plans and recommendations to the public (where past open houses were used to solicit input). Public Works Director Eastling stated that building a facility on the site of the current garage would be substandard. In fact, he said, adding second-story offices and other necessary amenities would create greater costs than constructing a new facility. Therefore, the recommended site for the facility is the northeast corner of Cedar Avenue (Trunk Highway 77) and West 77th Street. However, he stated, this is Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) property and the nature of the availability of the land is speculative. He said that finalizing the approval of the use of this land is contingent upon current, ongoing mitigation with MAC. Auchstetter inquired about the possibility of building on the 66th St. and Cedar Avenue site. Director Eastling commented that this site is located at a high-volume interchange and would conflict with other activity in the area. Director Eastling estimated the cost of constructing a facility like the one proposed at $6,000,000. He said that land prices are also unresolved because of the ongoing negotiations with MAC, but the sale of the current site’s land would fund much of these expenses. Jabs agreed that the sale of the old property would provide revenue for the purchase of a new site. He stated that the proposal that pleased open house attendees the most was building on the current site. Jabs also inquired about the noise level at the 77th Street and Cedar Avenue site. Eastling stated that Short-Elloitt-Hendrickson was examining this issue. Eastling pointed out that this would be the final CSC meeting before the December 14 Council Meeting. Eastling requested the CSC to formally approve the recommendation being made by City staff and the Maintenance Facility Task Force at this November 10 meeting. Jabs stated that Eastling and Staff have sufficiently kept the CSC up-to-date on the status of the Maintenance Facility planning and recommended a motion to approve the Staff/Facility Task Force recommendation. A motion was made to approve the recommendation. Seconded by Auchstetter. Motion approved, ayes all. Master Park Plan Jabs urged the Commission to make a recommendation at this meeting to present the Plan to the City Council. He then asked for comments or questions. Schaefer inquired about the term, “air rights.” Watson explained that this defines the space over freeways for construction of features such as bridges, etc. Other comments, corrections and questions were raised. Jabs asked for any final questions and for a motion to approve the Plan. Scaglia moved, Erlander seconded. Jabs asked for any remaining discussion. Motion to recommend the Plan to the Council approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Major Maintenance Items Operations Coordinator Hughes explained the concept of a five-year maintenance plan for parks, streets and building maintenance. These are maintenance items that fall between routine maintenance and CIP improvements. Some of these major maintenance items include seal coating the streets, re-roofing, resurfacing and path and fence repair at the parks, and the upkeep of interior features, roofs, upgrading of HVAC systems and insurance of emergency generator back-up for the government buildings. Administrative Services Director Devich added that this major maintenance plan often effectively forestalls the need for major replacement or repair. Hughes said that these major maintenance actions are intended to indefinitely postpone major repair. Auchstetter, Jabs and others inquired about the source of funding for major maintenance. Hughes explained that if a maintenance item is paid by special assessment, then residents may vote against a maintenance action that is essential and cost-effective. Also, fund balances have been used, but this source is not consistent. Hughes mentioned that these maintenance issues might translate into an increase in taxes. Devich commented that the average tax increase is 2 ½ percent and these are not issues that will go away. This is preventative money. Hughes explained that these are not extravagances. Scaglia commented that this should not be a hard sell, considering the cost savings and liability issues (particularly with the emergency generator). Hughes said that a pitch would be made to the Commission and Council for the 2000 budget Committee Reports FOWL Krohn reported that the Wood Lake Half-Haunted Halloween went well. Nature Center Manager Shragg commented that since it was held right on Halloween (unlike other years), the attendance was down. Krohn mentioned that the fence along Lyndale Avenue was complete, with the exception of the gate. Shragg said that with the improvement of the weather, the gate would be completed. She reported that 500 feet of old fence was salvaged for the new one and FEMA funds were used in its construction, as well. Planning Commission Auchstetter reported that the building and land formerly occupied by Hat Trick Hockey is being sold to the Richfield HRA. He also reported that the Urban Village Project’s parking ramp had been approved for Tax Increment Financing. People had doubted its specific benefit to the community, but it was considered as part of the larger project’s benefit. Jabs presented a trophy for the Planning Commission for the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic challenge between the Planning Commission and the Community Services Commission. Multi-Purpose Recreational Facility Jabs reported that more Citizen Participation meetings would be held on Thursday, November 12 at Noon and 7:00 p.m. and the final CP meetings would be in December. He reported that the daytime CP meetings on December 5 were tense and somewhat poorly-attended, but the evening meeting had good representation. He commented that most of the feedback has been positive and the meetings have not de-escalated into gripe sessions. In upcoming meetings, the Task Force will begin to examine funding options. Special Programs/Athletics Manager White and Jabs commented on public/private cooperatives. Watson pointed out that with good planning and a sufficient agreement, these arrangements could work well. Staff Reports Enterprise Funds Devich reported that Rich Acres Golf Course was closed for the season. Despite the fact that the course was struck by lightning, the well malfunctioned and key staff members have resigned, the course still enjoyed a record year. Lots of compliments were received and there were more paid rounds than ever before. Rates will be raised next year (they’ve raised rates every other year) and they will continue to study the possibility of moving the operation to Fort Snelling. Adventure Gardens Mini-Golf also enjoyed their best season ever, Devich said. Nearly 20,000 paid rounds were played and the Tree Trust group performed some free landscaping work. Mini-Golf also suffered the resignation of a key employee, Jim Burr, and some of the carpeting needs replacing. Overall, it was a great season, Devich reported. The Outdoor Pool suffered a rough season, Devich said. Numbers were way down. The facility is competing against a number of newer pools and water park facilities in Edina, St. Louis Park and other cities. Watson mentioned that Short Elliot Hendrickson has recorded the deterioration of the pool and it is significant. Devich reported that construction of the second sheet of ice at the arena was progressing well. Currently, they’re removing and grading the soil for a very reasonable price. In December or January, they will advertise for bids for the construction of the facility. A source of funding was being investigated, but it was thought that Recreation Revenue Bonds might be an option. Auchstetter asked if there has been any opposition to the second sheet of ice voiced? Devich said no. Jabs mentioned that there existed some curiosity in the community about how the second sheet of ice was approved by the Council so quickly. He asked Devich if a piece could be published somewhere (like the Your City) explaining the process. White inquired about signage on Crosstown for the facilities in and around Vets Park. Devich thought that this might be possible. Recreation Services Watson reported that the contract for the Fairwood/Monroe Parks site improvements was awarded to Nadeau Utility. Construction began in October and a completion date of June 15, 1999 had been set. Proposals for the Vets Park Redevelopment would be solicited and examined. To avoid a conflict of interest, Brauer and Associates would not be submitting a proposal. He said that perhaps an interview committee could be formed to determine the developer. Bids were taken for the Ballfield Replacement Project, but the project stalled, pending an agreement between the School District and the City regarding the use of School land, Watson said. The lease agreement is currently being formulated. Watson said that the Multi-Purpose Recreational Facility Task Force has held the first of their Citizen Participation meetings and are working with the ideas and continuing to solicit input for the facility. He commended the Task Force members on their dedication and hard work. Watson also reported that the Golf Course Replacement Project was progressing through various meetings with various parties. A Joint Powers Agreement with Minneapolis had been approved for the golf course, but land use issues with Fort Snelling were still being studied. Councilmember Rosenberg commented that the agreement between Richfield and Minneapolis was historic and suggested great things for future projects and issues between the two cities. Jabs asked Sloss to assemble a report on the amount of use seen by different school recreation facilities. Sloss said that the facilities were well-used. Alaska Trip – Community Partnerships Shragg reported on the National Naturalists Conference, held in Alaska, which she and two other Wood Lake Naturalists attended. The report she presented at the conference was on Community Partnerships, specifically the partnership that Wood Lake has enjoyed with the Richfield School District for many years. She detailed the many benefits of this partnership and the positive effects it has on the children and the community. Community Garden Replacement Shragg talked about how the current Community Garden Plots are on Metropolitan Airports Commission land and may be displaced next year. She said that a Community Gardens Subcommittee has been formed from the FOWL Board, which includes Gordon Hansen and Bill Kirchner and, with the help of Randy Hughes, they will study the feasibility of replacing the garden plots and the optimum location or locations for the plots. Shragg discussed the health and wellness benefits of community gardening and how the demand for garden plots will grow in Richfield with the increase of townhomes and multi-family housing. She mentioned that the primary issues would be space, water supply, parking, fencing and aesthetics. Sharkey inquired about the size of the plots. Shragg answered that they are 20 feet square. Sharkey commented that VEAP’s plots are 10 by 10. Sharkey thought that providing water would be the greatest cost of the project. Shragg pointed out that this would be an initial cost. Jabs thought that Vets Park might be a possible location and mentioned the benefits of a community garden to Richfield; he thought that the Community Gardens should be considered in the Vets Park Redevelopment proposals. Auchstetter wondered if the area north of the ice arena would be a feasible location. Watson asked how far the gardeners would be willing to walk, considering the distance from parking. Shragg commented that they wouldn’t want to walk extremely far. Jabs inquired about splitting the plots to more than one site. Shragg said that this was definitely an option. Watson asked if the Community Garden subcommittee could make a recommendation to the CSC. Shragg said that they’d be able to in the new year. Scaglia asked if the gardeners are represented. Shragg answered that the committee members are community gardeners and other gardeners have called to share their thoughts. Recreation: The Benefits Are Endless White discussed the City’s new marketing plan and how the goal of Recreation is to attract participants. The Recreation Services brochure was reduced, he said, and will be included with the Your City newspaper, which will free up funds for marketing initiatives. He explained a nationwide recreation marketing plan called, “The Benefits Are Endless” which approaches recreation funding as preventative dollars, considering that recreation increases health and wellness, provides activities for youth and may steer young people away from destructive activities. Other Next Meeting The next Commission meeting is January 12, 1999. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Sharkey. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. by consensus. November 10, 1998