1999-04 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, April 13, 1999
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners: Tim Erlander, Rick Jabs, Maureen Scaglia, Robert Dietl, Carol Krohn, Chad Sharkey, Arnie Auchstetter, John Easterwood, Denise Schaefer
Council Liaison: Susan Rosenberg
Staff: George Watson, Frank White, Pat Dolan, Mark Hall
School Liaison: Jim Sloss
Secretary: John Evans
Absent: Commissioners: John Enger, Brian McGlinn
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Rick Jabs at 7:01 p.m. in the auditorium of Wood Lake Nature Center.
Approval of Minutes Auchstetter asked if the minutes from the last meeting reflected the fact that the old pool, even if rehabilitated, would leave nothing to market. Jabs and Watson
said that its disrepair was noted.
Sharkey moved to approve the minutes from the March 9 regular meeting. Erlander seconded. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports Pavement Management Survey Report
Engineering Technician Dolan and Street Supervisor Hall discussed the PMS system of monitoring the need for repair to the streets. By this method, they arrive at a course of action
for seal coating, routing and crack filling, thereby extending the life of the roads. Hall explained that this puts off overlaying and milling indefinitely.
Recreation Services
Watson said that the Fairwood/Monroe playfeature replacement project should be complete by the end of June. Also, work on the Ballfield Replacement Project has begun again. Work on
Roosevelt Park has begun again for the season. He said that on April 12, the Council approved an agreement with the School District to begin construction on two school sites, Junior
High/Donaldson and the Intermediate School.
The Veterans Park planning process is expected to begin in mid-May. The strategy is to coordinate the planning of Vets Park with the planning of the Multi-Purpose Community Center
with the anticipation that a site for the facility will be recommended by the Task Force by that time.
Holy Angels athletic fields will also be part of the Ballfield Replacement Project. A neighborhood meeting will be held on April 19 to discuss the project. The improvements are hoped
to be complete by the end of August.
The neighborhood meetings will discuss traffic issues, field usage, security, facilities and funding. The project will be funded with the $2 million state grant. Jabs inquired about
lights being installed at AHA. Watson said that no lights were in the plans.
Watson also discussed the fact that some money would be coming from the condemnation of Rich Acres and New Ford Town parks.
Discussion Items CIP/CIB
Jabs asked for input from the Commission and noted that Secretary Evans would pass comments on to Administrative Services Director Devich. Sharkey and Jabs asked about submitting both
the rehabilitation of the pool and the construction of the Multi-Purpose Community Center.
Jabs said that the 800 megahertz radio should be placed higher on the priority list. Scaglia asked about $2 million for the Multi-Purpose Community Center coming from an unnamed source.
Watson said that the hope, in part, was to use money from the New Ford Town/Rich Acres Parks condemnation. Jabs asked if the group would be willing to approve the CIP/CIB. Evans pointed
out that Devich’s timeline allowed for one more month of review. Scaglia said that approval doesn’t commit any of the funds to these projects. Erlander motioned to approved the CIP/CIB,
seconded by Krohn. Approved, ayes all.
Money-Back Guarantee
Recreation Programs/Athletics Manager White introduced a plan that would advertise a 100% satisfaction guaranteed, money-back guarantee for recreation programs offered by the City.
The $3 administration fee, which was previously kept in refunds, would be given back as well. The idea is to compete with the private sector and use the plan to advertise programs.
White said that very few refunds are currently requested. Sharkey suggested that White share the idea with the new Director and make him a part of the decision. White added that this
plan would enable any staff to grant the refund. Jabs inquired about the CSC approving the idea. Sharkey stated that this would be overseeing staff policy. Jabs said that this would
be a marketing tool, if staff chooses, as well as an internal tool and would give White the feedback he seeks. Easterwood moved to record that the CSC heard the idea and liked it.
Dietl seconded. Approved, ayes all.
Putting People In Parks
White presented a plan to market the park buildings as a place for neighborhood organizations to meet. Staff could lock and unlock the buildings, which would be stocked with tables
and chairs. White added that this might discourage vandalism. Jabs said that athletic organizations would love to meet in the parks. Jabs asked if action was necessary. White said
that Director Topitzhofer would be filled in on the idea. Sharkey moved to approve the concept of Putting People In Parks. Seconded by Easterwood. Ayes, all.
Merger of the Little League Organizations
White said that the merger of the East and West Richfield Little League groups was currently in the works. Scheduling was currently being sorted out and White would return in the summer
with a plan. Krohn said that the children go to school together, so it makes sense for the organizations to merge.
Committee Reports Multi-Purpose Community Center Task Force
Jabs reported that the Task Force is meeting Thursday, April 15 to discuss preliminary costs of the facility. By summer, the Task Force hopes to send ad hoc groups out into the community
to spread the word about the facility. Easterwood advised that they be explicit in explaining that the outdoor pool would be demolished as part of the plan.
FOWL
Dietl reminded the Commission that the FOWL Dinner will be held April 23 at the Decathlon Club.
Planning Commission
Auchstetter was unable to attend the entire meeting. Jabs had nothing to report.
Other In response to a previous inquiry, Sloss commented that the pools at the schools are available for general use in the mornings.
Jabs requested of Sharkey and Auchstetter information regarding items on which the group should and shouldn’t take action.
Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting by Auchstetter, seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. by consensus.