Loading...
1999-08 CSC RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, August 10, 1999 Richfield Community Center Present: Commissioners Arnie Auchstetter, Robert Dietl, John Easterwood, John Enger, Tim Erlander, Rick Jabs, Carol Krohn, Maureen Scaglia, Denise Schaefer, Chad Sharkey Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Mike Eastling, Randy Hughes, Perry Thorvig, Frank White, Karen Shragg, Steve Devich School Liaison None Others None Absent: Commissioners Council Liaison Susan Rosenberg School Liaison Jim Sloss Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:03 p.m. Approval of Minutes Auchstetter moved, seconded by Sharkey, to approve the minutes of the July 6 Joint Meeting with the City Council and the July 6 Regular Meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Enterprise Funds Administrative Services Director Devich asked the group about a Q&A on the second ice sheet that was scheduled to run in the Your City. He reported that construction on the ice sheet was going very well with an October 1 opening date. He reported that Rich Acres will be vacated by April 1, 2000 and staff is working with architects to examine the possibility of reworking and operating the Fort Snelling Course. The outdoor pool had a good year, but attendance is in general decline. Easterwood and Sharkey asked about the operation of the Fort Snelling Course. Devich responded that it is owned by the City of Minneapolis and legislation would help facilitate the transfer of operations to Richfield. Devich reported that Rich Acres and Mini-Golf had good years, but attendance was slightly lower than anticipated due to extremely hot weather this summer. Recreation Services - Cedar Avenue Community Development Specialist Thorvig spoke to the group about parks and recreation issues related to the proposed Cedar Avenue Development. He noted that several ideas have been suggested. He discussed possible redevelopment plans for Washington Park, Taft Park, Wilson Pond, Centennial School and the development of linear parks by 68th Street, including a possible bike trail. Recreation Programs/Athletics Manager White commented that the backblast at the east ballfields has been endured for years and should not necessitate the vacation of Taft Park. Easterwood suggested adding more soccer fields to Taft. Enger and Sharkey doubted the success and potential use of a bike trail that would run parallel to Cedar so near to people’s houses. Jabs suggested that the CSC could aid in brainstorming for ideas for this area. Thorvig said that no net loss is the goal. Recreation Services – Vets Park Tree Plan Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer told the group about the August 12 Tree Transplanting Open House at Vets Park. He showed the group preliminary planting plans from Sanders, Wacker, Bergly and asked them to provide feedback. Jabs suggested comment cards and a tote board for residents to vote for their tree plan of choice. Enger suggested mixing types of trees. Operations Coordinator Hughes said that some trees from the Golf Course may be available for sale. Topitzhofer said that trees not used at Vets would be used at Donaldson, Holy Angels, Taft and Wood Lake. Jabs and Enger suggested that using any trees for boulevard trees may lead to disputes about how yards were selected. Devich suggested that the plan to use the trees be sent to the Council. Jabs restated that the preliminary plan was to use trees at Vets, the other parks, then sale to residents. Enger moved, seconded by Easterwood, to recommend the approval of this tree replanting plan. Approved, ayes all. Recreation Services – Ballfield Replacement Project Topitzhofer said that work at all sites except Holy Angels should be complete by October 1. He reported that he met with Holy Angels to alter the plan for the site improvements and the bid opening is scheduled for August 13. The Council will award the contract for the Holy Angels site on August 23. Recreation Services – Soo Line Corridor Bike Trail Topitzhofer said that he has been in contact with the DNR and grants are not available for the development stage. Also, the DNR does not get involved until the railroad lines are vacated. He said that a Task Force will likely be assembled to drive the effort to construct a bike trail. Recreation Services – Youth Athletics Merger White said that the night before (8/9), East and West Richfield Little League merged to form one organization. Also, staff has taken over maintenance of the fields and would be developing a new maintenance plan. Enger asked about a regular maintenance schedule. Hughes said that this schedule was in development. Recreation Services – Augsburg Park Improvement Idea Richfield resident Dave Cole shared his ideas about constructing a picnic shelter in Augsburg Park. He likened it to the Bush Lake Park shelter in Bloomington. Jabs said that this would best be considered around the time that the Capital Improvement Budget is assembled and invited Cole back to re-examine the issue. Action Items Bond Referendum Election Jabs provided an RCRC Task Force update and showed the group the newest graphic material from Short Elliot Hendrickson. Topitzhofer said that the DNR had been contacted about the project and cleared it (with respect to a 1990 LAWCON grant for Vets Park). He shared the resolution and sample ballot provided by the City Attorney. Easterwood moved, seconded by Sharkey, to recommend approval of a resolution authorizing staff to conduct a bond referendum election. Approved, ayes all. Recommendation to Approve Ordinance Amendment White said that the current 11:00 pm closing time of City parks has created some concern among residents. With a 10:00 pm curfew, a 10:00 closing time at most City parks would provide Public Safety with a tool to monitor activities at parks after dark. Sharkey asked if this would be a conflict with the proposed recreation facility. Scaglia suggested that this be dealt with later. White added that five parks listed in the ordinance change remain open until 11:00 pm due to evening activities (including Augsburg Park, which was not listed in the draft revised ordinance). Easterwood moved, seconded by Sharkey, to recommend the approval of the ordinance amendment changing the curfew from 11:00 pm to 10:00 pm for all City parks but the ones listed in the ordinance. Approved, ayes all. Community Garden Lease Topitzhofer showed the group the site map for the proposed replacement site for the community garden plots. He said that the City Attorney had drafted a lease for the land, which is owned by MAC. He discussed the installation of water lines, raised garden beds for gardeners using wheelchairs and composting bins. He said that he and John Hamilton would be asking the Richfield Bank to sponsor the garden on a yearly basis in honor of Bill Kirchner. Topitzhofer said that the CSC was given a draft lease, but the CSC could recommend the approval of the City entering into a lease with MAC. Sharkey moved, seconded by Scaglia, to recommend approving the City’s entering into a lease with MAC for the replacement community garden site. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Recycling Fund Uses Hughes explained that former City Manager Jim Prosser and Public Works Director Mike Eastling asked for an investigation into recycling programs such as pick-up days and drop-off locations. Nature Center Manager Shragg explained that Hennepin County provides residents with a refund on their water bills based on recycling tonage. This refund adds up to a total of about $80,000 to $90,000 and could be used for some other waste disposal program. Scaglia and Sharkey questioned the need for such a program and residents’ desire for it. Auchstetter said that similar programs in other cities have gotten out-of-hand. Shragg agreed that the positive imact of these programs on the environment was minimal for a number of reasons. Shragg suggested a leaf and brush clean-up. Jabs asked Shragg to come back with other ideas. Committee Reports FOWL Dietl mentioned the FOWL Ball Klassic, Saturday, September 18. He said that volunteers are needed. Planning Commission Auchstetter reported that the PC meeting was cancelled. Other CSC Packets Jabs suggested a packet that would provide background information about each issue. Topitzhofer said that he and Secretary Evans are working on such a format and a new mailing schedule. Adjournment Motion, seconded by Auchstetter, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm by consensus.