2000-08 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, August 8, 2000
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Arnie Auchstetter, Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, John Enger, Maureen Scaglia, Allen Yun, Jake Sedlacek, Bob Dietl, Linda Slocum Staff John Evans, Jim Topitzhofer,
Steve Devich, Al Payne Council Liaison Susan Rosenberg School Liaison Others Lil Hipp, Deb Nordmarken Absent: Commissioners Tim Erlander, John Easterwood Council Liaison School
Liaison Jim Sloss
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda Revisions Sharkey moved, seconded by Auchstetter, to approve the minutes of the June 13 regular meeting and the July 10 special meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Jabs called for revisions to current agenda. No changes.
Staff Reports Enterprise Funds
Administrative Services Director Devich reported the following:
Holes have been recarpeted at the Adventure Gardens Mini-Golf. Relationship with Radio Disney has been beneficial.
Ice Arena rentals have been good. Mighty Ducks grant was vetoed, but Senator Johnson secured funding for arena. Sales at Hat Trick Hockey have been less than hoped, but different marketing
and ideas will be tried.
Attendance at the Outdoor Pool has been generally decreasing. Some leaks are occurring and some form of renovation will be crucial. Competition with other aquatic facilities has been
fierce.
Recreation Services
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reported the following:
The new Heredia Park playfeatures were dedicated at a ceremony on August 28 with 35 people attending.
The two open-sided picnic shelters were moved from Rich Acres Golf Course to Augsburg Park (this project had been brought to the CSC at an earlier meeting).
Over the fall and winter, Public Works staff would be assisting with the retrofitting of bleachers at Taft and Donaldson Parks to bring them up to code.
A path at Roosevelt Park was upgraded as a finishing touch to the ballfield upgrades there. This would provide a summer and a winter path, controlled by locked gates at different sides
of the park.
The Community Gardens have been a very successful facility this summer.
Action Items Appointment of FOWL Board of Director Members
Dietl reviewed John Devlin’s application for the FOWL Board of Directors. Auchstetter moved, seconded by Sharkey, to appoint Devlin to the FOWL Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items Older Adult Services Collaborative Contract
Topitzhofer and Community Center Manager Hipp outlined the plan to work with three Richfield older-adult housing facilities to form a collaborative to expand on the older-adult services
provided by the City. Each facility would pay the City $500/month, which would go towards improvements to the Community Center. Hipp reported that she would be at each site for eight
hours per week. Topitzhofer asked the group to review the contract.
Community Center Rental Fees and Fee Policy
Topitzhofer reported that staff has been considering revising the City’s liquor ordinance and facility rental policy to allow liquor at the Community Center for rental groups. The liquor
would be served by an on-sale provider with dram insurance. This change would introduce a significant increase in rental revenue for Community Center improvements and would shape future
plans for usage of the Center. Jabs said that there should be a greater disparity between resident and non-resident fees. Topitzhofer said that the item would be brought back to the
CSC in September for a formal CSC recommendation to the City Council.
Telecommunications Towers in Parks
Topitzhofer reported on Qwest’s plan to locate a cell tower in Madison Park. The tower would stand where an existing light pole now stands, adding 30 feet to the structure. The tower
would bring in $15,000 per year in revenue to the City, which would likely be used to offset losses incurred by the Ice Arena/Pool/Mini-Golf. Rosenberg and Auchstetter said that the
idea should be pursued, but the neighborhood should be involved in the decision. Topitzhofer said that a neighborhood meeting would likely be held before the next CSC meeting.
Archery Range Replacement
Topitzhofer said that staff is considering the replacement of the old Richfield Archery Range, which was displaced by construction of the new runway and staff is seeking CSC reaction
to the project. It was suggested that staff pursue the project, but gauge the interest in a facility by putting up a few bales first to monitor activity. Enger said that if the location
adjacent to the Community Gardens was chosen, then signage would be crucial.
Fairwood/Monroe Shelter Options
Topitzhofer reported that about 30 people attended the neighborhood meeting (held immediately before this meeting) to discuss the types of shelters to be constructed in Fairwood and/or
Monroe Parks. He said that open shelters were favored over enclosed shelters for both parks. Also, the neighborhood expressed possible interest in a skating rink at Fairwood. Jabs
said that he would initiate a survey of the neighborhood to determine opinion about a rink at Fairwood. Sedlacek said that some type of open shelter with benches would be an important
amenity for both parks. Slocum asked if the skating program would still be scaled back. Topitzhofer said that staff would bring plans for the skating program to the CSC, but a rink
at Fairwood would depend on the results of the survey.
Committee Reports Skate Park Task Force
Topitzhofer reported that the Council was in favor of the project at the joint meeting in July. The task force will continue to discuss the concept and a state grant application will
be written.
Community Center Sub-Committee
Topitzhofer said that there was nothing to report, but the group would meet with the recreation managers in September.
FOWL
Dietl mentioned the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic, Saturday, September 16, 3 p.m., Fred Richards Golf Course. Picnic will be afterwards at Vets Park.
Planning Commission
Auchstetter provided the PC report.
Other Auchstetter requested that staff provide a Summer Playground Program report at the September meeting.
Adjournment Auchstetter moved, seconded by Sharkey, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. by consensus.
August 8, 2000 Minutes