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2011-11 CSCNovember 15, 2011 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, November 15, 2011, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Bob Shotwell, Sarah Till, Greg Mangold, Reed Bornholdt, Arlan Nelson, Michele Thompson, Dan Edgerton, Dave Gepner, Gerry Charnitz (Chair), LuAnn Werner Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link, Jaeson Morrison, Robert Hintgen, Kristin Asher Others Steve Christopher (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District) ABSENT Planning Commission Tom Rublein Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Charnitz called the regular CSC meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Gepner moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to approve the minutes of the regular October minutes. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Annual Meeting Engineering Supervisor Asher gave the annual report, explaining the efforts by City staff to reduce stormwater pollution and educate the public about pollution control. She talked about reducing salt usage in the streets, testing pond water, using Wood Lake Nature Center as an educational outlet, and encouraging people to report instances of dumping and pollution. Steve Christopher from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District talked about how the MCWD does regulatory work regarding erosion control, stormwater quality, dredging, and incentives to encourage best practices for pollution control. Forestry Report Streets/Forestry Supervisor Link and Forester Morrison provided the report. Morrison reported about different tree disease control and prevention measures, including the aggressive emerald ash borer program, which will cost $50,000/year, but may prolong the life of many trees and may even save many (a large number of ash trees are on the boulevard, as they were planted to replace the diseased elms removed in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He talked about diversifying the species/genus of the tree stock among the 220 trees that are planted each year. Link said that there is talk of a disease that affects maples, so staff will be consulting again with the CSC about what varieties of tree that may be considered in the future. Staff Reports Augsburg Skate Park Topitzhofer reported that Spahn Ranch, who submitted the winning proposal for a new tier-one skate park, was approached again and asked to provide a revamped plan as requested by the skate park committee. Spahn submitted a proposal that was nearly twice as expensive. Topitzhofer said that the CSC could consider several options: 1) approve a contract for the full amount after requesting more funds. 2) advise staff to request a design from Spahn, then go out for bid for the contractor work, or 3) partner with another municipality to have skate parks built at the same time to reduce some costs, 4) partner with another municipality to build just one park to be shared, 5) start over with a new RFP (he said that he doesn’t recommend that option, as we’d probably end up at the same place). Bornholdt asked what level of park Bloomington has in mind and if they’d want a tier one park. Topitzhofer said that they are interested in a tier one park that wouldn’t require supervision. Charnitz asked if contracting out for different parts of the project would save money (i.e. on concrete work). Topitzhofer wasn’t sure what the bids would come in at, but he was sure that many parts of the plaza are not very specialized and could be built by a regular construction contractor. Charnitz said that the Augsburg site was carefully chosen for many different criteria, but if we partner with Bloomington on one facility, they probably would prefer it to be further south. Shotwell said that it would be very difficult to chose a location that would be attractive to Bloomington and Richfield. Shotwell said that he does favor partnering with Bloomington to pick one vendor for two parks. Thompson wondered where they are in the process and if we’d have to wait for them to catch up. Edgerton said that kids may not care where the municipal line is, as long as they can get there. Werner said that her preference would be to invest in a skate park that is located in Richfield. She asked if asking for more money would take away from other projects. Topitzhofer said that it wouldn’t have to, but the Council may decide to put the whole project on hold. He said that he will contact Bloomington to find out where they’re at in terms of being ready to solicit bids, and he can get some idea of what different portions of the project would cost if done by different contractors. Thompson asked if it would be difficult to work out location and other decisions with Bloomington; Mangold said that those issues could be worked out. Charnitz said that, since we have approved funds and a design in mind, we’re ready to go and may be able to take the lead. Edgerton said that the project doesn’t look that specialized and there should be some local talent, like landscape contractors, who may be able to recreate the desired plan. Edgerton wondered how the Council might respond to asking for $20,000 more money; Topitzhofer said that it may be worth approaching them to gauge their feelings about it. Shotwell recommended option one, asking the Council for more funding. Shotwell and Thompson commented on how far the preliminary work has progressed, making it worthwhile to forge ahead. Edgerton suggested approaching the Council with the same options, clarifying that the CSC is recommending option one. Topitzhofer suggested that he gather more information about the cost of parts of the project and Bloomington’s feelings about partnering, then returning to the CSC at the next meeting for a formal recommendation. Werner suggested that Topitzhofer ask Spahn Ranch for an expiration date for their proposal. Action Items Cancellation of Regular December CSC Meeting Thompson moved, seconded by Werner, to cancel the regularly-scheduled December CSC meeting. Approved, ayes all. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. November 15, 2011 Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Shotwell and Edgerton provided the report. Community Bandshell Group: Topitzhofer provided the report. He reported on a brainstorming session held since the last meeting. FOWL Board: Gepner provided the report. Waste Hauling Study Group: Mangold provided the report. He said that the issue has been controversial in Maplewood. Planning Commission: Gepner provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular January Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave) Mangold moved, seconded by Werner, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.