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2008-03 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 18, 2008 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gerry Charnitz, Joe Springer, Michael Christian, Greg Mangold, Joe Hoover, Gordon Vizecky, Rodney Schmidt, Jim Lunderby Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Ray Wroblewski Others Richfield Lake Neighbors ABSENT Planning Commission Rick Jabs CSC Members Sarah Till, Gary Ness, Jacob Reeb Council Liaison Fred Wroge The CSC meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Richfield Lake Park neighborhood to discuss their preferences for new play equipment at the park. Call to Order Chair Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:48 pm. Approval of Minutes Evans said that he made corrections to the minutes. Schmidt moved, seconded by Christian, to approve the revised minutes of the regular February meetings. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Public Works Wroblewski provided the report and presented the revised tree planting and maintenance plan. Schmidt asked about a resident pruning a tree. Wroblewski said that it is not allowed. Schmidt said that the pruning section should include a reference to boulevard trees. He said that section E (under Pruning) should include a reference to boulevard trees. Hoover said that it’s implicit in the policy, but may require more public education to clarify that pruning of boulevard trees by residents is not allowed without permit. Christian said that the document seems clear on that issue. Schmidt moved, seconded by Lunderby, to approve the policy with suggested changes. Approved, ayes all. Recreation Services Topitzhofer provided the warming house report. Action Items Appointment of FOWL Board Members Schmidt moved, seconded by Springer, to appoint Mary Barnes to the Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all. Capital Improvement Budget and Plan Topitzhofer reviewed the draft plan. He said that the City will continue to retain $50,000/year to support liquor store capital improvement projects. Vizecky asked about the park maintenance budget. Mangold asked about internal loans and asked if/why we would or wouldn’t pay it back. Topitzhofer said that the loan is using money that normally goes to the enterprise funds (pool, mini-golf, arena) to cover losses. Mangold asked if such a loan would affect interest earned. Topitzhofer said that we may not need the entire amount of the money borrowed from ourselves, but it is good to rebuild these funds. Mangold asked if it would be possible to further market the connection between the municipal liquor stores and the park capital improvements. Topitzhofer said that he may invite the Liquor Operations Director to a CSC meeting to discuss that. Schmidt moved, seconded by Hoover, to approve the capital improvement plan. Approved, ayes all. Richfield Lake Park Play Equipment Topitzhofer talked about the process and the very deliberate, objective scoring process used to select a vendor (which is necessary to choose fairly) using the neighborhood preferences. Hoover said that, for future projects, there might be an invitation for the public to interact through the website. Vizecky said that the neighbors’ enthusiasm and desire to be a part of the selection is great. He said that voting buttons on a website may open the possibility of vendors and other vested interests altering the vote. Topitzhofer said that some kind of interaction could be valuable. Hoover said that a comment form may be the simplest way and may be valuable. Christian asked about the flexibility once a vendor is selected. Topitzhofer said that there is some flexibility, but generally, the equipment shown in a proposal is what goes in (altering something may seem unfair to another unchosen vendor). Schmidt and Springer volunteered to serve on the selection committee. Facility Dedication Request Gordy Larson Dedication Proposal at Donaldson Metro Babe Ruth Umpires have submitted a proposal to honor Gordy Larson by installing a rock with a plaque at Donaldson Park. Topitzhofer said that a Council member had a preference for a plaque without any other monument structure (rock). Charnitz said that the policy limits the demarcation to a plaque. Hoover said that an issue with a large boulder may require moving it later, which can create controversy unless it is stated in advance that it can be moved by the City. Vizecky provided background: this group came to the CSC and said that they wanted to put up a modest plaque, but the plan ended up being a larger rock, which was the impetus for the Facility Dedication Policy. Mangold asked if the policy provides guidance for this decision. Topitzhofer said that a committee would review the proposal and does include a parameter limiting the dedicating feature to a plaque. Christian said that there can’t be specifics about what to mount a plaque on, but the scope of the feature would need to be proposed clearly. Hoover said that the City should propose a number of pre-existing features on which the plaque could be mounted. Lunderby suggested the side of the building behind the backstop. Topitzhofer said that more information about the rock would be required and the side of the building could be proposed as a location for the plaque. Vizecky said that the group could express agreement with the spirit of the dedication, but Jim and staff would need to work with the donors to firm up the details regarding size and mounting locations; Christian added that a large rock could become a maintenance issue. Topitzhofer asked if the group is comfortable with a smaller rock. The group expressed a strong preference, by consensus, for mounting the plaque on the building, fence, or other mounting location. Committee Reports FOWL Topitzhofer provided the report. Celebrations Commission Topitzhofer reported that the Centennial Reception was a success. Honoring All Veterans Memorial Schmidt and Topitzhofer provided the report. Planning Commission Springer provided the report. Arts Commission Hoover provided the report. Adjournment Schmidt moved, seconded by Mangold, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. Next Meeting Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) March 18, 2008 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.