2002-11 CSC
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Wood Lake Nature Center
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, Linda Slocum, Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Maureen Scaglia Staff John Evans, Lil Hipp Council Liaison John Enger Others Audrey Wagner,
Betty Peltola (Community Center Inter-Council Members) Absent: Commissioners Tim Erlander, John Easterwood, Bob Dietl, Barb Kritzman Planning Commission Liaison
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes Sharkey moved, seconded by Slocum, to approve the minutes of the October 15 regular meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Committee Reports Outdoor Pool Task Force
Evans said that Topitzhofer included a status report in the packets; construction is on schedule.
Richfield Community Human Services Planning Council (RCHSPC)
Slocum reported that the group is examining funding and assessing the South Hennepin service area.
Staff Reports Community Center Remodeling Project
All group members introduced themselves. Community Center Manager Hipp said that the Community Center Remodeling Project has progressed to a preliminary floor plan from Jeff Oertel.
She said that the project budget is $376,000 and the Community Center Inter-Council is playing a key role in identifying and meeting the needs and wants for the facility.
Jeff Oertel, Oertel Architects, presented the preliminary floor plan. Key changes include restoring the vaulted ceiling in places, moving one office across the lounge to the general
room area, new window in the general room, patio outside the basement doors, sectioned meeting and entry areas in the basement, conversion of the downstairs men’s bathroom to an ADA-compliant
family bathroom, conversion of the upstairs janitor’s closet to an ADA-compliant restroom and other changes. Sharkey asked what the approximate budget is for the HVAC/lighting/electrical
upgrades. Oertel said that these areas could easily consume $400,000, but the project budget will include cosmetic changes, as well. Sharkey asked how this will bode for five or ten
years down the line. Oertel said that changes can be made that will accommodate future changes and will sustain the building. Sharkey asked about the title of the land south of the building.
Other CSC members asked for a response to this question. Jabs said that the bathroom designs may be an issue; not having a men’s bathroom in the basement might cause people to go outside
or upstairs. Vizecky asked about putting the downstairs ADA bathroom in the present coat hall area. Scaglia and Sharkey suggested that some aspects of the project (ADA restroom downstairs)
could wait. Peltola said that a newly-remodeled community center shouldn’t require a person to go upstairs to use a bathroom. Oertel said that a new ADA-compliant bathroom downstairs
seems to answer all concerns. Jabs asked about potential funding for converting to ADA-compliance. Hipp said that she’d check it out. Peltola said that the new bathrooms and the expanded
arts/computer area are key to the needs of the daily users of the Center. Hipp said that the planning also bears in mind the building’s potential as a banquet/reception facility. Scaglia
asked if the on-site liquor ordinance change would be raised again. Enger said that he didn’t believe that the Council would oppose it. Sharkey suggested that more funding be approved
(possibly the $100,000 park maintenance fund) for the Center project. Jabs suggested applying for some of Best Buy’s technology grant to the community. Slocum moved, seconded by Ness,
to approve the preliminary floor plans (with ADA-compliant bathrooms on both floors and keeping coat room in basement) with the understanding that the plans would return for further
study and final spec/plan review. Approved, ayes all.
Adjournment Slocum and Ness moved and seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
November 19, 2002 Minutes