2000-11 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, November 14, 2000
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, John Enger, Bob Dietl, John Easterwood, Tim Erlander, Allen Yun, Jake Sedlacek Staff John Evans, Jim Topitzhofer, Lil Hipp Council
Liaison Susan Rosenberg School Liaison Jim Sloss Absent: Commissioners Arnie Auchstetter, Maureen Scaglia, Linda Slocum
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:10 p.m.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda Revisions Dietl moved, seconded by Sharkey, to approve the October 10 minutes. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports Recreation Services
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer provided the Recreation Services Department report, including updates on the Madison Park Cell-Signal Antenna and Frank White’s award from the
Chamber of Commerce.
Action Items Time Warner Cable Company Request to Bury Conduit in Taft Park
A Time Warner representative explained a plan to bury cable conduit through part of Taft Park. Topitzhofer explained that this is an application for a permit, not an easement, so staff
could always request removal of the conduit, if necessary. Jabs asked the Time Warner representative to consider some form of compensation for the use of this land, such as the provision
of cable services for public-access programming. The Time Warner representative said that this would be considered. Sharkey moved, seconded by Easterwood, to recommend approval of Time
Warner’s request to bury conduit in Taft Park. Approved, ayes all.
Liquor Ordinance Amendment
Topitzhofer said that this amendment would allow the sale of liquor at the Community Center by licensed, pre-approved on-sale liquor providers, which would increase rental revenue at
the Center. The City would pre-approve a list of providers in Richfield and surrounding communities, which would be given to renters, who would then arrange liquor services with the
provider. The provider’s record would be checked, a yearly permit fee and a per-event fee would be charged, and the provider would be responsible for the dram insurance and legalities.
Also, in some cases, a uniformed police officer would be present. Jabs asked about the possibility of liquor being brought onto a patio. Topitzhofer said that if the patio were properly
enclosed and it could be ensured that no liquor was brought into the park, then this should be allowable.
Parking Agreement Between Gramercy Corporation and Wood Lake Nature Center
Topitzhofer said that in reaction to a growing problem of many Gramercy visitors parking in the Wood Lake lot, an agreement has been drafted that would provide Gramercy with ten spaces
to use in the lot. The spaces were granted at the time that Gramercy paid for two walking bridges at Wood Lake. By agreeing to only those spaces, the City could enforce a no-parking
policy in other spaces, which might result in additional lighting and security cameras. Easterwood, Jabs and Sharkey said that marking every parking spot with a sign would look bad.
Jabs asked if night parking was allowed at all in the lot. Topitzhofer said that no RV’s or moving vehicles are allowed to park in the lot. He also said that the possibility of on-street
parking on Lake Shore Drive had been introduced. Also, parking spaces could be rented by Gramercy in special situations. Dietl suggested that the FOWL Board be informed. Erlander suggested
that the issue be tabled until January. Jabs agreed; item was tabled by consensus until January.
Discussion Items Fairwood Skating Rink Survey
Jabs reviewed the results of the survey, which indicated an older constituency that was not overwhelmingly interested in a skating rink at Fairwood, but did respond favorably to shelters.
Rosenberg said that shelters should be built at both parks. Topitzhofer asked if it would be appropriate to build a nicer one at Monroe and a less elaborate one at Fairwood that could,
some day, be used in conjunction with a rink. Jabs suggested that neighbors be informed of these results and invited to the January CSC meeting. Topitzhofer agreed and stated that the
demolition of the Monroe shelter would begin immediately.
Little Bob’s Park Playfeature Meeting
Topitzhofer reported that the Little Bob’s neighborhood meeting that preceded the CSC meeting was extremely productive. Neighbors in attendance clearly wanted new playfeatures, as opposed
to an open shelter or other amenities. Topitzhofer said that an RFP, likely in the amount of $55,000, will be written and brought to the CSC in January. Sharkey and Erlander said that
this was too much money to allot to a small, underused park. Jabs said that it’s our duty to provide these resources and people will come; we may not see results, but we need to invest.
Sedlacek said that the $29,000 originally allotted was probably determined five years ago and is no longer enough to purchase an adequate play lot. Easterwood suggested $40,000. Topitzhofer
said that staff will inform the CSC of how much money is left after purchasing the Fairwood/Monroe shelters and further discuss the Little Bob’s budget in January.
Committee Reports Skate Park Task Force
Topitzhofer said that the Youth Initiative Grant application was submitted to the State. The grant will determine if the facility is indoor or outdoor. He said that Richfield is well-represented
on the task force.
Outdoor Pool Task Force
Topitzhofer reported that user survey results and user comments (included in CSC packet) were reviewed at the October 17. The information, he said, seemed to favor a less grandiose refurbishment.
He said that a pool engineering consultant would meet with the OPTF at their November 28 meeting and staff would continue to look for a marketing consultant that will take a smaller
client.
Community Center Sub-Committee
Jabs had no news to report.
FOWL
Dietl reported on the Fall Clean-Up, Half-Haunted Halloween and the Gramercy Bridge Dedication.
Planning Commission
Auchstetter absent; no report was given.
Ending Terms Jabs reported that his term, Sharkey’s term and Auchstetter’s terms were expiring. Auchstetter would not re-apply. He reported that Enger would be resigning to assume his
seat on the City Council.
Next Meeting/Meeting Location
The CSC decided, by consensus, to continue meeting at Wood Lake Nature Center in 2001.
Adjournment Dietl moved, seconded by Yun, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. by consensus.
November 14, 2000 Minutes