2001-06 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
___________________MINUTES___________________
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 12, 2001
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, Tim Erlander, Gary Ness, Bob Dietl, Kari Johnson, Jake Sedlacek, Linda Slocum Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, George Atkinson Council
Liaison
Others Dan Linnehan, Dave Buzicky, George Atkinson, Randy Hughes, Chris Sullivan, Steve Strom Absent: Commissioners John Easterwood, Allen Yun, Maureen Scaglia Council Liaison Susan
Rosenberg
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:02 p.m.
Approval of Minutes Sharkey moved, seconded by Sedlacek, to approve the May 8 regular meeting minutes. Approved, ayes all.
Action Items Bus Benches/Shelters Ordinance Revision
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson said that the bus benches have been a blight issue. The shelter company approached the City. City could choose to not renew bench contract, but ordinance
change is necessary allowing staff to replace a bench. Benches and shelters could co-exist, he said, and any vendor could still be entertained. Sharkey asked if bus users want shelters,
if maintenance would be a problem and what the nature of advertising on the shelters would be. Atkinson said that the shelter company maintains them, according to a survey, people would
like shelters, and the content of ads could be controlled. Slocum moved to recommend approval of the ordinance revision; Dietl seconded. Sharkey said that the definition of a telephone
booth was necessary; Erlander said that the barring of political ads would need to be striken in Section 805.23. Slocum seconded this amendment. Motion with amendment approved, ayes
all. Steve Lindgren said that the survey used by Atkinson has been deceptive. Jabs said that surveys of this nature are just used as a starting point and are not meant to be definitive.
Jabs also said that after calls, letters and three visits to the CSC, they are ready to move the issue on. He said that the chief concerns were that this was about a specific vendor,
that benches and shelters couldn’t co-exist and that maintenance would be an issue; he said that Atkinson answered those concerns.
Combine July and August Regular Meetings
Motion and second to cancel regular July meeting (the joint CSC/CC meeting was scheduled for July) and resume regular schedule in August. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items Outdoor Hockey Training Facility
Planning Commission Member Linnehan and Buzicky presented a proposal to build an outdoor hockey training facility immediately north of the ice arena. The five fenced-in concrete pads
would allow for skills training without ice time, require little or no additional staffing (associations could maintain), cost between $7k and $10k and be considered City property.
They said that donations would be solicited to fund it. CSC members encouraged the idea and asked for further information.
Dandelion Control Policy In Parks
Operations Coordinator Hughes said that the City sprays once a year in places, once every three in others. Weeds are also sprayed in gutters and sidewalks. He said that, in light of
some calls against spraying, staff has considered not spraying (as some cities do). Jabs wondered if not spraying or using a natural method would be more consistent with the Visions
statements. Hughes said that some natural techniques were ineffective or infeasible (vinegar, pulling). Erlander asked for more information.
Nicollet Park Basketball Courts
Topitzhofer said that Nicollet neighbors had requested the removal of basketball hoops to curb the poor behavior of the users of the court (vandalism, drug use, foul language, litter).
He said that Frank White had spoken with the men and had given them warning about the behavior and had offered to set up a league at Taft. Resident Sullivan brought a petition asking
for removal of hoops. Sedlacek and Jabs suggested the removal of some of the hoops on a trial basis to prohibit full-court play. Topitzhofer said that this could be done, but this
does remove a service and a facility that the City should provide and the removal of the hoops is primarily because of their location in a smaller neighborhood park, which was not a
good location for a full-court in the first place.
Driving Range Feasibility
Jabs said that since Rich Acres was lost, it has been an idea suggested by some to explore the possibility of constructing a driving range; two possible locations might be Vets or Taft
Park (250 to 300 yards would be necessary). He said that it would not be expensive to build or maintain. Jabs asked staff to find Don Brauer’s golf course replacement recommendations
and consider the issue.
Committee Reports Skate Park Task Force
Topitzhofer said that the Edina referendum had failed, but they would likely find their $80,000 portion in other capital funds. If not, Richfield could still use our portion to build
a scaled-down version somewhere.
FOWL
Dietl provided the FOWL report. He said that the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic is scheduled for September 15.
Planning Commission
None
RCHSPC
None
Staff Reports Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported that the scoreboard issue at Roosevelt Park would be going to a second reading at the June 25 Council meeting. He asked if there was opposition from the CSC; none
was expressed.
Adjournment Erlander moved, seconded by Slocum, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
June 12, 2001 Minutes