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1999-02 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 9, 1999 Wood Lake Nature Center Present: Commissioners: Auchstetter, Enger, Erlander, Jabs, Krohn, Sharkey, Schaefer, Scaglia Council Liaison: S. Rosenberg School Liaison: J. Sloss Staff: G. Watson, S. Devich, K. Shragg Others: G. Hanson (FOWL Board), Mary Lee Hanson Absent: Commissioners: Dietl, Easterwood Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Rick Jabs at 7:03 p.m. in the Museum of Wood Lake Nature Center. Motion by Auchstetter to approve the minutes of the January 12 meeting as written. Second by Sharkey. Motion carried, ayes all. Terms Expiring/Beginning/Renewing Jabs acknowledged Strobl and Loweth’s expiring terms, Dietl and McGlinn’s renewing terms and Easterwood and Enger’s new terms. Election of Officers/Appointment of Liaisons Erlander nominated Jabs as CSC Chair. Sharkey seconded. Jabs asked for discussion or other nominees. Motion approved, ayes all. Sharkey nominated Auchstetter as Vice-Chair. Auchstetter declined. Auchstetter nominated Erlander. Sharkey seconded. Jabs asked for discussion or other nominees. Motion approved, ayes all. Jabs volunteered to be the Multi-Purpose Community Center liaison. Enger expressed interest in acting as a back-up. Krohn volunteered (and Dietl was nominated) to be the FOWL Board liaisons. Sharkey, Enger and Krohn volunteered to be the Veterans Park Planning Task Force liaisons. Auchstetter volunteered to be the Planning Commission liaison. He also volunteered to be a liaison to the pool and arena for special situations. Action Items Community Garden Plot Site Recommendation FOWL Board Member Hanson, Master Gardener, explained that the Community Gardens are a valuable recreational facility that transcends age and is a well-used, popular City facility. With the expansion of the airport, the gardens would be displaced this year. A Garden Replacement Sub-Committee was formed from the FOWL Board. A matrix was developed to determine the best place to which the gardens could be relocated. Two locations were determined to be the most feasible: Veterans Park and Taft Park. After some discussion about parking, space, aesthetics and conflict with other facilities, it was determined that Taft Park would be the best location for new garden plots. Shragg explained that the soil would need to be amended with another two feet of soil. Also, water pipes would have to be installed . Other than these start-up costs, she said, the maintenance of the gardens is within the regular City budget. She added that any fencing around the facility would not be permanent to accommodate for plowing in the spring and use as a skating rink in the winter. Sharkey asked if this was Minneapolis or MAC property and if the project would be in conflict with the ballfields that are planned for this site. Watson responded that it was in conflict with the ballfield construction, but some reconciliation could be found between the two projects. He said that this is MAC property that is being gifted to Richfield as part of the agreement with MAC. It is not Minneapolis land, he said. Watson added that gardening also transcends cultural boundaries and this is an important opportunity for outreach to the diverse population of Richfield. Enger asked if the gardens would definitely be taken this year. Hanson responded that they could not depend on their availability. Jabs asked if it would be a wetland infringement. Watson stated that they could be sensitive to that in planning for the plots. Shragg said that about 90 gardeners participate each year. She hasn’t gotten a quote on the installation of piping for the water supply, but this would be part of the start-up costs. She added that it was being submitted as a Capital Improvement Project for $48,000. Jabs expressed concern over the conflict with the ballfield planning efforts. Watson said that examining maps of the site should reveal some compromise. Hanson said that they were open to suggestion and replacing the gardens was the chief concern of the group. Auchstetter moved to continue the item at the next meeting. Watson said that the site should be studied. Sharkey asked that the ownership of the land be clarified. Erlander seconded the motion to continue. Discussion Items Liquor License at the Banquet Facility Watson said that this item was sufficiently discussed at the January meeting and a general consensus to pursue a liquor license for a banquet facility in the Multi-Purpose Community Center was enough to act for now. Jabs asked if anyone opposed the idea. None opposed. CIP/CIB Preparation Devich said that the Capital Improvement Projects and Budget project summaries would be submitted on February 22. The goal is to have a draft of CIP/CIB by March 16. The Commission could then examine the draft with the Planning Commission and take action on the CIP/CIB (approve or not) in April or May. Skateboarding Facility Mary Lee Hanson, 6716 14th Ave. S., presented the CSC with a petition in favor of building a skateboarding facility in Richfield. She said that other communities have similar facilities and asked the CSC to consider the idea. Watson commented that other communities have found ways to build and maintain these facilities and he would inquire about these facilities and gather some information for further discussion. Committee Reports Multi-Purpose Community Center Task Force Jabs reported that the Task Force continues to meet. The Task Force gave a presentation to the Community Council and those signing up for athletic programs and the Task Force also had presentations scheduled for the Chamber of Commerce. He commented that the feedback has been very positive thus far. He asked that Commission members spread the word and notify the Task Force of any citizen groups that might want to learn about the facility. Erlander volunteered to set up presentations to the Optomists and the Republicans. Jabs said that getting the information out was important at this stage. FOWL Krohn said that the FOWL Focus was just published (a quarterly publication). In May, Wood Lake will be designated as a peace site. The FOWL Dinner will be held April 23 at the Decathlon Club. She added that the dredging is nearly complete at Wood lake and was featured on WCCO-TV the week before. Planning Commission No report. Meeting cancelled. Vets Park Planning Task Force Watson said that the Council had just approved the hiring of Sanders, Wacker, Bergly, Inc. as the park planner for the Vets Park redevelopment project. Work would begin in four to six weeks. Staff Reports Enterprise Funds Report Devich reported that the Council approved the contract for the cooling system for the second ice sheet. He said that using gross recreation revenue bonds doesn’t require a referendum, so that was being considered. This would pay for the facility with revenue from the facility. The are currently ordering the steel. The goal for opening the doors is September 30, 1999. Recreation Services Watson reported that City Manager Jim Prosser resigned and will be working for Ehlers and Associates as a Financial Consultant. Scaglia reported that there have been complaints about a lack of discipline at the pool. Jabs said he has heard that as well. Other Next Meeting March 9, 1999. Krohn and Auchstetter said that they would be absent on March 9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting by Auchstetter, seconded by Sharkey. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. by consensus.