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2010-05 CSCMay 18, 2010 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Bob Shotwell, Dan Edgerton, Michele Thompson, Greg Mangold, Gerry Charnitz, Reed Bornholdt, Arlan Nelson, Rodney Schmidt Planning Commission Rick Jabs Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans Others ABSENT CSC Members Joe Springer, Sarah Till Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Charnitz called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Approval of Minutes Mangold moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular April meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Lincoln Athletic Complex Topitzhofer provided an update. Discussion Items Parks Ordinance Revision Topitzhofer said that he added the “authorized personnel only” wording to several ordinances, as well as allowing day-only fish houses on Taft Lake because the aerator is turned off in the winter. He said that he recommends continuing to prohibit boats on the lake because a sufficient public launch facility is not available. Charnitz and Shotwell said that permanent signage regarding no smoking cannot be taken down just for the 4th of July Celebration. Topitzhofer said that the signage could actually state an exception during the 4th of July weekend. Mangold asked if there is such a thing as a City Code where the strict enforcement is not essential. Topitzhofer said that there are certain laws like that where the police may choose how to spend their time and what level of enforcement is appropriate. Schmidt suggested not writing in exceptions to the rules, like allowing smoking on the 4th of July. Jabs agreed, saying that the police can determine the level of enforcement in different circumstances. Mangold and Thompson expressed agreement. Regarding Taft Lake, Mangold asked if there may be a liability issue if non- motorized boats are allowed, but a safe launch is not available. Schmidt said that there are a lot of lakes around Minnesota like that. Topitzhofer asked if the lack of designated access would dictate the allowability of boats. Jabs said that the City should probably wait until there are appropriate launch points. Thompson asked how they’d get a house out there. Schmidt and Jabs said that portable canvas houses can be pulled out by sled. Nelson said that a house could be pulled out by the dock. Mangold asked how you’d prevent someone from backing a vehicle up to the lake to unload some kind of craft. Schmidt said that motorized vehicles wouldn’t be allowed on the grass in the park. Topitzhofer said that, eventually, a planned launch will be offered as an amenity, rather than allowing even the launching of a carried canoe through lakeside vegetation. Charnitz asked if an exception should be written in to the noise ordinance for concerts in the park. Topitzhofer and Jabs said that the 4th of July obtains a community celebration license, so maybe that should be referenced. Topitzhofer asked if this park noise ordinance should be removed; Charnitz and Schmidt said that the existing noise ordinance probably covers most situation. Schmidt suggested deleting the line about people being allowed to smoke in their cars. Topitzhofer said that the City Attorney included it for a reason because we may not have enforcement authority when people smoke in their cars. Schmidt moved, seconded by Thompson, to submit the ordinance revisions as written, with no exception to the smoking rule, without allowing non-motorized boats at this time, and deleting 840.21. Approved, ayes all. Action Items Skate Park Location Topitzhofer said that the past CSC discussions led the group to recommend Augsburg Park as the location for the skate park. Since then, because of opinions voiced by at least four residents and a Council member, the proposed Augsburg Park location has become politicized. Topitzhofer also said that he believes that there would be an impact on the library. Nelson said that Roosevelt would be a great location because of its visibility, minimal disturbance of other facilities, and consistent usage with other park amenities. Charnitz said that the Roosevelt location is not as central as Augsburg. Edgerton asked why the Augsburg location wouldn’t be considered a benefit to the park as an additional amenity. Shotwell said that the fear of mixed usage in Augsburg may come down to a fear of a new type of recreation that young people now favor. Thompson said that she lives near the park and the high school and the noise is not considered a strong negative, yet the skate park probably won’t be as loud or busy. Schmidt said that it’s just another form of recreation in the same location: there is already a basketball court there. Mangold also agrees that Augsburg is the ideal location for the skate park facility and he’d be willing to be part of a group to advocate for it. Topitzhofer read a note from Springer, who also recommends Augsburg based on past discussions. Jabs agreed that the Augsburg site is best; he said that skaters will need to be encouraged to police themselves to be able to keep the facility open. Jabs said that four or five people in opposition to the Augsburg site is not that strong an opposition and there are too many positives about the facility itself to ignore such a good location. Topitzhofer said that an RFP would be put together with help from a subcommittee, which would be brought to the Council. Jabs said that he is willing to help, as well. Committee Reports Bike Planning Group: Edgerton provided the report. Veterans Park Planning Group: Schmidt provided the report. FOWL: Bornholdt provided the report. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. May 18, 2010 Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Schmidt provided the report. Planning Commission: Jabs provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Other Topitzhofer said that he ran the chef’s market idea past the Cattail Days people and they’re very excited about it. Mangold asked about waste haulers and trash collection. Topitzhofer said that the City has considered selling a single licensed waste hauler as a revenue source. Topitzhofer said that he’ll look into it and report back. Next Meeting Special Joint PC/CSC Meeting Monday, June 14, 2010, 7:00 pm Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave Adjournment Schmidt moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.