2001-11 CSC SPECIALRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, November 29, 2001
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Bob Dietl, Rick Jabs, Tim Erlander, Gary Ness, Linda Slocum, Jake Sedlacek Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Al Payne Council Liaison Others Jody
Dahms (Gremmer and Associates), Tom Schulke (TSP), Nelson French, Terry Bumgarner, Ron Schwartz Absent: Commissioners John Easterwood, Kari Johnson, Maureen Scaglia Council Liaison Susan
Rosenberg
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:10 p.m.
Action Items Outdoor Pool Preliminary Plan
Topitzhofer said that the plan that was presented at the regular November meeting came in $1 million too high. Gremmer and Associates reworked the plan and has brought it back to the
CSC for approval before advancing it to the City Council in December. Dahms outlined three alternate phasing schedules.
Location and size of the bathhouse
Dahms pointed out the following: Completing Phase 1 by June 1 may add $50,000 to the project cost (for double-time pay) depending on the timing of the bid process. Tying the wading
pool work (Phase 3) in with the bathhouse work (Phase 2) because operating for a season without a wading pool would hurt attendance severely.
The perimeter fence would have to be replaced as part of Phase 1 because it is not up to code.
$1.8 million-price of Phase 1 and 2.
$170,000-price of Phase 3 (spray pool)
Existing filter room would require too much work to keep. A basement bathhouse filter room is most cost-effective.
Payne said that it would be imperative to always offer a wading pool throughout the process. Payne suggested adding a pump to Phase 1. Phase 4 is the adventure pool. Dahms said that
the adventure pool could be made to be expandable in the future. Topitzhofer said that Phases 1 and 2 would be funded by capital improvement funds and, pending Council approval, condemnation
money from the two lost parks. Alternate 3 allows for the existing wading pool to remain in place until Phase 3 is complete. French asked about timing for private funding confirmation:
Topitzhofer said that early 2003 would be a deadline for locking in Phase 3 funding. Payne said that the pump could be in danger of malfunction after Phase 1, which would replace piping,
but not the pump. Dahms said that it’s possible that the project will get no bids; contractors are filling up for June 1 deadline projects. Ness suggested taking the season to do the
work and using the downtime as an advantage to build anticipation. Topitzhofer said that the loss of staff might be the main concern with shutting down for a year. Sedlacek said that
the convenience factor might ensure a loyal customer base in Richfield. Slocum suggested that losing patrons for one season would hurt attendance in the future. Dahms said that some
spray features may be usable in the existing wading pool that could be salvaged when the adventure pool is built, but there might be issues with filtration requirements. Bumgarner said
that closing for the season will not deter local patrons when it re-opens. Jabs said that moving the bathhouse to the west side of the property is not preferable in alternate 3. He
suggested that alternate 2 is the most advantageous. Slocum said that alternate 3 has better visibility from the street. French said that alternate 2 with Phases 3 and 4 flipped would
be best. Slocum asked about flipping the locations of the spray pool and the wading pool in alternate 2. Dahms said that the adventure pool should be in back because it’s more visible.
2003-2004 for Phase 2. Two more seasons with pool “as is.” French asked about securing contributions to contribute to Phase 2 and completing it before the 2003 season ($750,000 raised
funds). Pump and electrical would need to be examined to make it through two seasons. Consensus is to not open in the 2002 season. Payne said that staff may have to be paid from June
1 because staff might not work for two months. Bumgarner suggested operating in school pool in June, then moving outside. Schwartz said that bids would not have to be accepted. Dahms
said that some work could be done over the winter. Topitzhofer suggested the June 1 deadline as an alternate. Payne said that June 15 is the latest open. Erlander moved to recommend
approval of alternate 2 with the reversal of phases 3 and 4 and bid for Phase 1 with a substantial completion date of June 8 for pool opening on June 15 or October 15. Slocum amended
the motion to seek two bids for alternate completion dates and return the bids to the CSC for approval; amendment was not included due to possible dela; seconded by Sharkey. Approved,
ayes all.
Schulke provided a general specification outline of the preliminary plans for the bathhouse, which would be designed in more detail at a later time. Dietl inquired about completing more
phases done if the completion date is October 15. Erlander moved, seconded by Slocum, to adjourn.
Adjournment Erlander moved, seconded by Slocum, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
November 29, 2001 Minutes