2001-08 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, August 14, 2001
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, Tim Erlander, Bob Dietl, Kari Johnson, Jake Sedlacek, John Easterwood, Maureen Scaglia Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Randy Hughes,
Ray Wroblewski, Tom Rublein, Lil Hipp, Council Liaison Others Bob Hall, Steve Strom, Chris Sullivan, Larry Wozniczka, Tom Rublein, Sylvia Jesse Absent: Commissioners Linda Slocum,
Allen Yun, Gary Ness Council Liaison Susan Rosenberg
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at p.m. Jabs added a Nicollet Park item and discussion of the tree-removal policy. Also, the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic
and meeting procedures will be discussed.
Approval of Minutes Sharkey moved to have the June 12 meeting minutes amended. Sharkey moved, seconded by Sedlacek, to approve the minutes of the June 12 regular meeting. Sharkey moved,
seconded by Easterwood, to approve the minutes of the July 23 special meeting minutes. Approved, ayes all.
Items Not On The Agenda Nicollet Park Basketball Courts
Strom and Sullivan, Nicollet Park neighborhood residents, commented on the positive effects of removing the basketball hoops and said that neighbors do not want the hoops put back. He
said that some of the problems still exist (drinking, language), but removing the hoops curbed the problems.
Tree-Removal Policy
Richfield resident Hall said that he has repeatedly requested the removal of a tree because of the damage it inflicts on the sidewalk, but City staff refused. He was told that he could
pay for removal of the tree, but he believes that the City’s removal of the tree would prevent further sidewalk and road repair. Hughes said that a boulevard tree is not typically removed
unless it’s damaged or diseased (despite numerous requests for various reasons). He said that this is a legitimate concern since many trees went in before the sidewalks did (many curb
and sidewalk repairs are tree-related), but policy doesn’t allow for its removal. Easterwood asked if the tree could be defined as hazardous. Hughes said no; there are many others like
it. Erlander said that the removal of this tree is in the name of saving money on repairs. Easterwood suggested some kind of cost analysis related to tree-related curb and sidewalk repair.
Wroblewski said that he enforces the policy related to the long-term effects of a removal. Jabs asked if other neighborhoods have these situations; Hughes said that not many are similar.
Hall said that two other houses on the block have trees in that situation. Easterwood and Dietl said that exceptions to a policy create a precedent. Dietl said that it may be difficult
to put a dollar value on a mature tree and the sidewalk repairs might be worth saving a tree. Jabs suggested no action at this meeting and requested that staff revisit the policy to
see if it might be modified in some way without setting precedence.
Action Items FOWL Member Appointments
Dietl moved, seconded by Sharkey, to re-appoint Gayle Ticen, Al Malmberg & Vern Luettinger to the FOWL Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all. Sharkey moved, seconded by Sedlacek, to
appoint Tom Hoyne to complete a vacant term on the FOWL Board of Directors with an invitation to Mary McCall to join a FOWL committee. Easterwood said that new residents like Mary should
be encouraged to get involved. Motion approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items Status of Outdoor Pool Project
Topitzhofer said that the pool has suffered some big leaks in recent weeks, sending sediment into the pool and forcing the closing of the pool. He said that the leaks cost about $15,000
in repairs and lost revenue; an even greater catastrophic breakdown could occur. He asked if the pool should close next year for repairs; the Council will be discussing the issue at
their September 10 study session. He said that the capital budget has the first phase of the pool renovation and this work could begin in the spring. Task Force Chair Rublein said that
the deck and gutters would be redone as part of phase one; he said that the time would be right to hire a consultant to construct a project timeline and plan. Topitzhofer said that an
RFP has been written for preliminary renovation planning.
Dandelion Control Policy In Parks
Topitzhofer said that neighboring communities were surveyed and most do spray for dandelions. He said that the label of the herbicide did not lead him to conclude that it was harmful.
Hughes said that staff must obtain certification to apply the chemical. Sylvia Jesse questioned whether signage was sufficient after a park is sprayed; she said that the herbicide does
have harmful chemicals (she uses organic herbicides for her lawn). She said that she has been hurt by chemicals and wishes to educate people about the effects. She asked the CSC to
consider the effects, especially on children. Jabs said that the Visions Committee that discussed environmental issues considered alternatives to chemical herbicides. He urged the group
to move in that direction. Erlander & Easterwood asked staff to investigate organic and natural herbicides.
Committee Reports Community Center Remodeling RFP
Topitzhofer said that an RFP is enclosed for remodeling design services for the Community Center. He said that staff intends to send it out soon. Community Center Manager Hipp said
that staff has toured other centers that have been remodeled. These buildings utilized older structures and made room for designated program areas, office rental space and other versatile
uses. She said that Fridley sought donations and acknowledged donors with room dedications. She said that many basics (carpet, windows, ceilings, lighting, etc.) are in need of updating.
In the capital budget, $376,000 over two years has been allocated. Topitzhofer said that the consistent provision of services during remodeling would be discussed with a design consultant.
Jabs asked if expansion should be considered a feasible option at some time in the future.
Skate Park Task Force
Topitzhfer said that despite their referendum failing, Edina found $80,000 in their capital budget.
FOWL
Dietl provided the FOWL report. He said that the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic is scheduled for September 15.
Planning Commission
Johnson reported that the PC is taking a bus tour tonight of a nearby redevelopment area.
RCHSPC
Jabs said that the RCHSPC will be giving a presentation on the changes in the south suburban communities.
Staff Reports Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported the following:
The Monroe Park shelter will be demolished this month and the new shelter there and at Fairwood Park will be up by early fall.
A cell tower will not be built in Madison Park after all.
Little Bob’s Park playfeatures have been replaced and, other than a few details, is nearly complete.
Swings will be installed at Roosevelt Park after school starts.
Cattail Days will be on September 8.
Wood chips will be installed at Jefferson Park; swings at Jefferson will be investigated at that time.
Other Agenda Procedures
Jabs suggested the formal establishment of a period at the beginning of the agenda that would provide an open forum to raise issues not listed on the agenda.
Adjournment Easterwood moved, seconded, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
August 14, 2001 Minutes