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2008-10 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, October 21, 2008, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Gerry Charnitz, Greg Mangold, Jim Lunderby, Gary Ness, Joe Springer, Joe Hoover, Rodney Schmidt Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans Planning Commission Rick Jabs Others Roger Schmidt (skate park planning volunteer) ABSENT CSC Members Sarah Till, Mike Christian, Gordon Vizecky Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Ness called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Approval of Minutes Springer moved, seconded by Lunderby, to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported that a naturalization ceremony to welcome 250 new United States citizens is being held October 22 at Richfield High School and will be attended by members of the Richfield Centennial Commission. Discussion Items Tier One Skate Park Proposal Topitzhofer and volunteer Roger Schmidt discussed the skate park proposal neighborhood meeting, held prior to the meeting at 5:00 pm. Topitzhofer said that about 575 residents the Augsburg Park area were invited to attend; about 50 people attended, 25 with skateboards. He said that four meeting attendees were opposed to the idea. He said that one person noted the pristine quality of Augsburg; another mentioned liability insurance; Topitzhofer said that the City will get assurance from the League of Minnesota Cities that it’s included under the City’s existing liability insurance. He said that several attendees were in favor of the idea; one couple said that the facility would make for a great after-school attraction and the high visibility of the location was an asset. A few attendees wanted to see the basketball court preserved, he said. A couple of residents recommended a different location (Vets was one they recommended). Lunderby said that the close proximity to two high schools would be a major plus, as opposed to Vets Park. Mangold and Springer talked with younger attendees who were in favor of it. Schmidt said that one couple asked about porta-potties; he said that it was mentioned that they are already placed in two locations in the park. Schmidt added that the close proximity to a major bus line would make this location a great asset. He also said that there is some risk with the sport, but the City could be in a position to, at least, encourage pads and helmets. Topitzhofer said that when we get a written statement from our insurance provider, the City can ask them about the helmet/pad requirement in terms of liability. Hoover said that it’s a controlled risk issue; because it’s impossible to control every move children make, it’s a matter of allowing kids a certain amount of risk. Lunderby said that 25 kids attending a meeting is a likely indicator that there is great demand for the facility. Springer agreed and added that other skate parks are expensive, so demand for a free facility seems significant. Jabs suggested holding a few educational meetings and seminars at the park about safety and courtesy practices. Schmidt said that he knows of other older skaters that would skate there, which helps to affect a positive influence. Topitzhofer said that he talked with Richfield law enforcement and they saw it as a positive. Mangold asked if approval of the design services would mean approval of the facility. Topitzhofer said that he would like to gather the consensus of the CSC before sending a design services contract to Council. Ness asked how much it would be to replace the basketball court elsewhere; Topitzhofer said $25-35,000, which could be reallocated from other capital projects. Ness asked if the project could be incorporated into other site improvements. Topitzhofer said that this site was chosen for specific reasons: close to high schools and bus line, good visibility, restroom amenities, availability of hard surface, and park type usage (community park). Schmidt said that the site selection criteria was crucial and, best of all, the specific location within the park also agreed with the other facilities and uses in the park. Schmidt said that using the existing surface saves $40-50,000. Mangold asked if the CSC should review the criteria as they apply to different sites. Ness asked if there should be an exit strategy in case it’s built and doesn’t work out (equipment upkeep, problems noticed by the library, injuries). Charnitz said that an exit strategy is identified for other projects, like playground equipment. Jabs said that, because Topitzhofer and Schmidt have already done thorough site evaluation, the work doesn’t need to be done again by the CSC. Jabs said that it may not be necessary to worry about replacing the basketball court as part of the project because capital projects need to remain flexible as sport preferences change. Hoover said that the front-page article in the Sun can be seen as sufficient pre-project publicity. Topitzhofer said that a public hearing would probably be appropriate to approve the design. Jabs said that, at that public hearing, those who intend to use the facility must be encouraged to take a sense of ownership in the facility. Schmidt said that the streetscape design really is unusual and would encourage support from skaters; he suggested that requesting the publishing of the design in the Sun would produce great interest among skaters. Lunderby asked about the lifespan of a playground; Topitzhofer said about 20 years. Schmidt said that we really haven’t seen 20 year-old skate parks of this type yet because they’re relatively new, but if materials are chosen well, it will be a durable facility. Action Items Skate Board Facility Design Services Contract Rodney Schmidt moved to recommend Council approval of a contract with Gene Allen Design for skate park facility design services pending corrections to contract (leftover language from a previous contract), seconded by Springer. Mangold said that he would vote in favor of approval after staff presents more information about the site selection criteria. Topitzhofer said that the contract could be brought before the CSC at the next meeting. Charnitz said that other projects don’t involve site selection scrutiny by the CSC. Hoover suggested that it may be because it’s a new facility type, not a facility replacement. Topitzhofer recommended that the contract be forwarded to the Council, but the CSC can still go through the exercise of reviewing the site selection process. Mangold suggested reviewing the site selection report would be due diligence by the CSC. Schmidt said that his basic design ideas are from dozens of ideas gathered from skaters, personal experience having visited many facilities, and concerns as a parent. Topitzhofer said that the CSC can review the site selection report and recommend Council approval of the contract at the next meeting. Motion approved, four ayes (Hoover, Springer, Schmidt, Charnitz), three nays (Mangold, Lunderby, Ness). Jabs said that he would approve the total concept and contract approval if the site selection criteria report was included. Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Charnitz provided the report. City Hall Task Force: Jabs provided the report. Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Schmidt provided the report. Tablets will be purchased. Tablet foundation concrete work will come before Council on October 28. Lincoln Planning Team: Jabs, who was elected chair at the last LPT meeting, provided the report. Eight proposals were reviewed for design services; narrowed down to four. Group will do further selection work. Arts Commission: Hoover provided the report. Adjournment Schmidt moved, seconded by Springer, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 7:00 pm Richfield Community Center October 21, 2008 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.