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2006-01 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 17, 2006 Wood Lake Nature Center PRESENT CSC Members Gary Ness, Ron Schwartz, Gordon Vizecky, Catherine Peloquin, Dean Johnson, Rodney Schmidt, Michael Christian Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Frank White Others Jim Bradley (Richfield Schools) Planning Com Liaison Kyle Hartnett ABSENT CSC Members Barb Kritzman, Gloma Hamernick, Anna Berend Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Chair Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Approval of Minutes Peloquin moved, seconded by Schwartz, to approve the minutes of the regular November meeting. Approved, ayes all. Action Items School District Options for Pools School District Business Manager Bradley explained about the condition of the pools at the Intermediate and Middle Schools. He said that one approach would be to partner with the City in some way to build a new community facility. He said that another approach would be to invest the money to renovate one of the school pools. Peloquin asked if a joint facility could be the type to serve the all audiences and interests. Schwartz followed up, saying that pool depths and temperatures vary from one use to another. Vizecky mentioned that, in the wake of the failed referendum, other community center options haven’t been discussed. He also pointed out that municipal and school facility operations can be very different. Bradley said that the burden to subsidize the cost of operation would be a bit less for the City if the school absorbed as much as two-thirds of the operating costs. Christian asked about how the RIS pool space would be used and if remodeling the space would cost as much as renovating the pool. Bradley said that they haven’t had any comprehensive engineering studies done yet. Schmidt asked why swimmers can’t go off-site. Bradley said an off-site phy-ed swim program would be cost-prohibitive. Topitzhofer said that a long-term vision that was identified through polling and visions discussions was to have a community center. He said that this issue will warrant further investigation with more surveys and discussion. Christian asked if such a joint facility would have to be at the RMS site; Bradley said that the RMS site would be the most feasible location. Topitzhofer said that the CSC and the Council should consider a potentially significant operating subsidy that such a facility may require. Motion was made, and seconded, to consider recommending to Council further investigation of such a recreational facility with its ultimate manifestation regarding funding and management to be discussed and determined later. Approved, ayes all. Other Items Ness asked if personal dumping of trash in the parks can be deterred, possibly by moving the cans. White said that moving or reducing cans can create other maintenance and usage issues; he suggested taking down license plates. Topitzhofer suggested discussing it again at another meeting with Public Works. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: New Year’s Eve Events: Wood Lake and Arena events were well-attended, great weather. Bonding Request Presentation: Legislators were shown Lincoln Field and Cedar Point site and a presentation. Feedback from Girls Softball: Letters have been received from some girls softball families asking for better facilities than Lincoln Field sooner than the City’s plan. Staff responded by reviewing the ballfield task force process and the City’s plan to fund a facility through the capital improvement process. Recreational Plans for Fort Snelling Area: Skate park plan for bluff area fell through for Minneapolis. Richfield staff will meet with Minneapolis Park Board to discuss golf course operations. Richfield Historical Society: The RHS will be approaching City officials about the City funding and operating the RHS. Warming House Report: Weather has been poor for outdoor skating program, but staff floods whenever possible. Meeting with athletic associations: Staff will meet with associations to talk about forming one athletic associations. Action Items (continued) Parks Trespass Ordinance White said that the ordinance is a tool that can be used to expel a problem individual from City parks and is used by other municipalities. Peloquin moved, seconded by Ness, to direct staff to pursue this type of ordinance. Approved, ayes all. MnDOT Land Swap: Madison Park Mitigation Topitzhofer said that MnDOT has a remnant of land that they have suggested to swap for the land being taken from Madison Park for the Crosstown project. The plot being offered (southwest corner of Crosstown and Lyndale) may not be useful for a while, but could be financially or strategically beneficial in the future. Ness moved, seconded by Schmidt, to further explore the land swap mitigation plan from MnDOT. Approved, ayes all (Peloquin abstained). FOWL Board Appointment Ness moved, seconded by Christian, to appoint Paul Thissen to the FOWL Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all. Park Reports CSC members signed up for the 2006-2007 park reports. Committee Reports Transportation Committee Ness provided the report. City Hall TF Ness reported that the group is strongly considering the existing site. Veterans Memorial TF No report was given. Family Friendly City TF No report was given. FOWL No report was given. Planning Commission Hartnett provided the report. RCHSPC No report was given. Next Meeting Tuesday, February 21, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Adjournment Schmidt moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:54 pm. January 17, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.