2010-03 CSCMarch 16, 2010
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, March 16, 2010, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave)
PRESENT
CSC Members Bob Shotwell, Dan Edgerton, Michele Thompson, Greg Mangold, Sarah Till, Gerry Charnitz, Reed
Bornholdt, Joe Springer, Arlan Nelson
Planning Commission Rick Jabs
Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans
Others
ABSENT
CSC Members Rodney Schmidt
Council Liaison Fred Wroge
Call to Order
Ness called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Mangold moved, seconded by Till, to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Elections/Appointments
Motion and second was made to elect Gerry Charnitz as Chair, Sarah Till as Vice Chair. Approved, ayes all. The following liaison
appointments and reappointments were made: Springer-Planning Commission, Thompson-Arts Commission, Bornholdt-FOWL Board, Shotwell
and Charnitz-Transportation Commission. Approved by consensus. Topitzhofer said that Schmidt will report on the Honoring All Veterans
Memorial activities, and Schmidt and Charnitz will report on the Veterans Park Planning Group, which is a group of residents discussing some
vegetation ideas for the park.
Bike Task Force
Shotwell said that this new group has been assigned the task of studying the feasibility of different bike trail linkages, corridors, and
connections throughout Richfield. Edgerton was appointed as liaison to this group.
Staff Reports
Parks Ordinance Revision
Topitzhofer told the group that a number of park ordinance revisions have been discussed by the group and the Council has expressed
support. The City Attorney is considering amendments that would address enforcement penalties (fines, etc).
Action Items
Lincoln Athletic Complex Play Equipment Selection
Topitzhofer told the group that a neighborhood meeting was held to gather input on types of play equipment that the neighbors would prefer.
Till and Jabs said that it was lightly attended, but kids were there and were very excited to be involved. Topitzhofer said that an RFP was sent
out and we received nine proposals. Topitzhofer and Till scored the proposals on a number of different criteria (many objective, determining if
the proposal had or didn’t have what was required by the RFP; one criteria was subjective scoring on value and design) and Clearwater
Recreation scored the highest. Charnitz asked about the budget; Topitzhofer said that the RFP stated a budget of $55,000, making it feature-
competitive, rather than price-competitive. Thompson moved, seconded by Springer, to recommend to Council the award of contract to
Clearwater Recreation. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items
Concert Backdrop
Topitzhofer said that Dave Butler, retired lawyer and member of the Richfield Symphonic Band, has approached staff and the group about
constructing a bandshell. Topitzhofer told Butler that the capital improvement plan includes the purchase and construction of a removable,
fabric backdrop. Butler said that he is suggesting a more permanent backdrop. Topitzhofer said that Butler is asking what the options may be
for a site; Topitzhofer said that selecting a site first can create some controversy and disagreement, so he asked the group for feedback
regarding building a permanent backdrop. Nelson said that the current location of the concrete pad, the low area of Augsburg, is prone to
flooding in the spring, so that may create problems for a permanent structure. Nelson said that a removable sound system should be utilized at
Augsburg for acoustics. Charnitz asked how many sites would be realistic options for a backdrop; Topitzhofer said that Vets and Augsburg
Parks. Shotwell said that Adams Hill may be good for its natural basin. Nelson said that airplane noise may be a problem at Vets; Topitzhofer
said that bugs would also be a problem. Charnitz asked if the structure would be used for the 4th; Jabs said that the space required for 4th
events is only available at Vets. Mangold said that the concept of a permanent bandshell is favorable. Bornholdt said that he has talked with
Butler and they envision a similar, “bowl” type of backdrop, as are seen in some small-town central parks. Bornholdt said that the site would
need sufficient parking. Till said that Edina has weekly kids concerts that are well-attended; Edgerton said that Bloomington has a bowl type of
backdrop in Normandale Park and their concert series is well-attended; he said that utilizing a good sound system will help with many of the
acoustic issues. Topitzhofer said that Butler is asking the group for volunteers to attend a task force to look at the feasibility of different
locations; Bornholdt said that he could serve. Charnitz suggested running it past the Council; Jabs suggested a study session item.
Topitzhofer said that the first decision should probably be whether or not to pursue the permanent backdrop idea. Shotwell said that there may
be options other than just fabric or permanent. He said that there are mobile stage ideas and different sites could be tried out. Charnitz said
that the group seems to be in favor of some kind of better concert facilities and suggests that the Council is notified, then a task force could
proceed. Jabs said that he could also attend such a group.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
March 16, 2010
Discussion Items (cont)
Parks Capital Improvement Plan
Topitzhofer said that the Council had delayed the skate park idea in 2009 because of the operating budget climate and other capital
improvements like City Hall. This year, the Council discussed the project for 2010 and requested that the Community Services Commission
further consider the skate park project for 2010. Charnitz clarified that it’s largely a perception issue as it relates to the operating budget
because capital money can’t be used for the operating budget; Thompson said that they did mention using the skate park funds to pay down
debt service on Lincoln. Shotwell said that, from a political standpoint, the project should probably be delayed until after election season and
until after the state budget is set. Jabs said that the item should stay in the capital improvement plan; removing it from the plan would make it
difficult to add back. Mangold said that this group should consider the items in the capital improvement plan with the City’s recreational needs
in mind, as the group did for the bandshell, and let it be decided as part of the overall capital budget by the Council. Springer agreed, saying
that the skate park was added to the plan out of an expressed need from kids and adults in the community, so it should be proposed and
recommended by the CSC as part of the capital plan and ultimately, the Council will approve or reject it. Nelson asked what a type-one park is;
Topitzhofer said that it’s similar to play equipment in that it doesn’t require supervision and has a streetscape aspect to it. Jabs said that the
Council may suggest a compromise, like leaving $10,000 in for this year and moving $60,000 to next year. Mangold suggested leaving all
$70,000 in the plan for this year, to clarify the original intention of the group. Mangold moved, seconded by Edgerton, to keep $70,000 in the
2010 capital improvement budget for the type-one skate park. Approved, ayes all. Charnitz asked if the $15,000 for the sound system and
backdrop should remain in the plan for 2011. Thompson suggested pushing it out, but keeping it in the plan to express the group’s interest in
some kind of concert facility. Thompson said that the $15,000 could be applied to the Lincoln Field debt service for 2011, then keeping the
sound system item in the plan for 2013 (with the Lincoln payment being less after 2011). Topitzhofer asked if the Vets Park sign should stay in
the plan for 2011; Thompson said that the sign is part of the Arts Commission strategic plan, as well (to identify the Art Center more clearly).
Topitzhofer said that he’ll rewrite the plan and bring it back to the CSC for formal approval in April.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Shotwell provided the report.
FOWL: Bornholdt provided the report.
Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Bornholdt provided the report.
Planning Commission: Springer provided the report.
Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report.
Other
Nelson told the group to consider getting involved with the City’s emergency responder training program.
Adjournment
Thompson moved, seconded by Springer, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Next Meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 7:00 pm, Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave