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2003-04 CSCApril 15, 2003 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 15, 2003 Wood Lake Nature Center Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Rick Jabs, Gloma Hamernick, Gary Ness, Gordon Vizecky, Bob Dietl, Barb Kritzman, Rodney Schmidt, Linda Slocum Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Al Payne, Randy Hughes, Jim Olson, Frank White Council Liaison John Enger Absent: Commissioners Jana Pan, Russ Susag (these members have resigned) Planning Commission Liaison Mark Tolvstad 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 Slocum, to approve the minutes of the February 18 regular meeting. Ness moved, seconded by Kritzman, to approve the minutes of the March 24 special meeting. Approved, ayes all. Other Jabs and Topitzhofer said that the Transportation Committee has held interviews and at least one CSC member will be appointed. Enger said that an alternate should be appointed, as well. Program Spotlight Facilities Manager Payne discussed trends in the ice rental business and the nature of competition between arenas. He said that ice rental times have changed (late nights have decreased, less figure skating practice) and weekend shows, tournaments, schools and competitions are creating the greatest revenue. Enger suggested approaching Best Buy for dasherboard ads. Staff Reports Staff & Service Reductions Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer and Public Works Operations Coordinator Hughes discussed cuts in staff and services that have taken place because of reductions in Local Government Aid from the State of Minnesota (detailed in the executive summary). Enger asked about the increase in fare for the Community Center bus. Topitzhofer said that raising the fee from $.50 to $1.50 per ride is more in tune with door-to-door transportation and still means that the City subsidizes the rides at about $5 per person per ride. Sharkey mentioned rides through VEAP, which might be able to offer rides to seniors. Jabs asked about the playground program and kids who can’t afford an alternative. Topitzhofer and Recreation Manager White said that other sources of funding for this program will be sought for kids without the financial resources to participate in fee programs. Jabs offered help in future years to identify funding for programs like this for kids with less money. White said that an objective will be to reach and inform families about our programs (outreach to Latino families, for example). Topitzhofer said that, despite the cuts, staff has continued to be innovative with programming, including new teen sites and programs. Jabs suggested utilizing seniors at the high school who are required to perform community service. Hughes said that seasonal maintenance positions will be eliminated this year. He detailed the cuts in service (parks and streets maintenance) that will result from the position cuts (see hard copies on file). Topitzhofer said that the youth organizations will paint lines and pick up trash at the ballfields, which takes pressure off the full-time maintenance crews. Hughes said that the crews will prioritize and do their best to keep pace. He said that sentenced-to-serve crews get quite a bit of work done. Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: OUTDOOR POOL RENOVATION Work is staying on schedule. Rough grading will begin soon and work will go quickly after that. TRI-CITY/YMCA SKATE PARK Joint powers agreement has been signed. YMCA has begun construction. COMMUNITY CENTER REMODELING Plans and specs will be considered by the Council on April 22. Several items will be done outside of the contracts with the architect and contractor (selection of furniture, computer equipment, kitchen remodeling). Some items are add alternates in case bids are higher than expected: outdoor canopy, etc. Motion and second to recommend approval of the plans and specs. Approved, ayes all. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED AT MAY MTNG April 15, 2003 Action Items Right-of-Way Ordinance Engineering Technician Olson explained the right-of-way ordinance amendment. Sharkey suggested including a definition of right-of-way. Olson said that the League of MN Cities developed a model ordinance, which is being used. The ordinance establishes a procedure for utilities to register with the City and submit work plans before performing work. It also allows the City to impose deadlines for work by the utilities. Jabs asked if there is anything unique in this ROW ordinance. Olson said that this was consistent with other cities, which provides the utility companies with a standard of work and behavior from city to city. Vizecky asked about how the ordinance applies to homeowners, especially with regards to obstruction of right-of-way. Olson said that, with the exception of a few types of work, a homeowner would follow the same procedure. Vizecky wondered if there should be language that would “carve out” homeowners from obligation. Jabs said that work performed by homeowners might be addressed in a different ordinance. Vizecky said that there might be a conflict between separate sections of the City code. Jabs said that the item would be tabled until those issues are addressed. Committee Reports Off-Leash Dog Park Topitzhofer said that plans for an off-leash dog park have been significantly scaled back due to less availability of capital improvement funds. He said that low- or no-cost options would be considered (land on MAC property or at existing facilities). Ballfield Improvement Task Force Jabs reported that the group toured several parks to begin assessing the needs of different athletic organizations. He said that, overall, the groups are largely satisfied with facilities, with the exception of Lincoln Field. He said that the option to dedicate Lincoln Field as a girls facility was discussed. Topitzhofer and White said that the turnout was excellent and the discussions were very productive. White said that this group could develop standards regarding youth athletics scheduling as it relates to field usage and maintenance. Jabs said that one more meeting will be held before the season starts; the group will begin meeting regularly again in the fall. FOWL Dietl said that the FOWL Dinner will be held on Friday, May 2, at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington. Planning Commission Kritzman provided the PC report. RCHSPC Slocum provided the report. Other Next meeting: Tuesday, May 20, Wood Lake Nature Center Adjournment Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.