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2011-03 CSCMarch 15, 2011 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 15, 2011, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Dan Edgerton, Greg Mangold, Gerry Charnitz, Sarah Till, Reed Bornholdt, Bob Shotwell, LuAnn Werner, Dave Gepner, Arlan Nelson Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Kelly Mertes, Brandon Klement, Chris Link Planning Commission Tom Rublein ABSENT CSC Members Joe Springer, Michele Thompson Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Charnitz called the regular CSC meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Gepner moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to approve the minutes of the regular February meeting. Approved, ayes all. Items Not On Agenda Till asked Klement if staff has considered offering healthier foods at the City concession stands. Topitzhofer said that the company that the City will be working with to operate mini-golf has already been asked to provide healthier snacks and, because of the SHIP Grant money the City has received, staff plans to continue looking into healthy food options. Introductions Rublein, the new Planning Commission liaison, was introduced to the group. Staff Reports Recreation Programs Report Topitzhofer introduced Recreation Supervisor Kelly Mertes, who gave a report on the Adaptive/Inclusion programs and youth programs offered by Richfield Recreation. Mini Golf Agreement Topitzhofer told the group that the operation of the mini golf course would be outsourced to a private company, who will also rent bikes (and City staff plans to make improvements to trails at Vets Park). The City will earn a percentage of the revenue. He said that the group has worked with the Minneapolis Park Board and has a good marketing presence in South Minneapolis. Charnitz told new members that it had been discussed to move mini golf over by the pool to consolidate staff. Heredia Park Reconstruction Topitzhofer said that the Heredia Park neighborhood will be invited to a meeting at City Hall to discuss the completion of the City Hall reconstruction project and the adjacent park. He said that the neighborhood will be Action Items Pool Fee Structure Special Facilities Manager Klement introduced a new fee schedule that would raise daily admissions, but reduce the price of season passes and offer quantity discounts on them. Gepner moved, seconded by Werner, to approve the fee structure. Approved, ayes all. Diseased Tree Removal Program Streets Supervisor/Forestry Manager Link said that staff is considering eliminating a City-secured private contractor, beginning to recommend tree contractors and initiating a permit/license fee for contractors to work in the City. Gepner asked about the diseased tree policy: Link said that a tree is spotted or reported as diseased, marked, and the resident is given a time limit to remove it or they are offered an assessment for the City to have it removed. City staff does not do removal work on private property. Currently, the City goes out for bid and has a secured contractor. The proposed idea would be for City staff to give out a list of contractors who have been issued permits to work in the City. Werner asked what the fees are in other communities and what it would be in Richfield. Link said that it ranges from $20 to $200; ours may be in the $40-50 range to cover staff time. Charnitz asked if Richfield could team up with another community to cooperate on the approved contractor list and permit, offering some reciprocity between cities. Topitzhofer said that the group seems to be favoring some form of licensure and approved list; the group agreed by consensus to recommend this approach to staff and the Council. Augsburg Skate Park Design Recommendation Topitzhofer said that the selection committee met in an e-meeting with Hardcore Skateparks to redesign their submitted drawing, citing the sidewalk that seemed to lead to nowhere. He said that Hardcore redesigned that end to curve back into the park. Topitzhofer said that the plan does involve one challenge: it would require the removal of one oak tree. He said that, other than that, the group is confident that the project will be within budget and, once excavation begins, there may not be as much soil amendment required and some skate features may be able to be added. Werner asked if the basketball court would still be usable; Topitzhofer said that the court would not be usable anymore. Mangold said that Roger Schmidt, member of the selection committee, said that the court could be used to help with crowding (skaters could use that space, as well). Shotwell asked if the oak could be replaced with a disease-resistant oak further away from the park. Rublein asked why the skate park and the basketball court wouldn’t mix; Topitzhofer said that skateboards can fly loose and he said that Schmidt said that the personalities of the different user groups sometimes conflict. Mangold moved, seconded by Gepner, to recommend Council approval of the execution of a contract with Hardcore Shotcrete Skateparks based on their submitted design proposal. Approved, ayes all. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. March 15, 2011 Discussion Items Organized Garbage Collection Mangold presented a report, stating his reasons for supporting the implementation of a single, City-approved haulers. Nelson asked how many trucks per week would be required to pick up the whole city; Topitzhofer said that it would still be far fewer trucks than the current six haulers. Till said that her block has six haulers; Charnitz said that his block has three. Mangold said that, overall, fewer haulers would result in fewer trucks. Werner said that some people feel strongly attached to certain haulers, especially when they prefer smaller haulers to the big corporations. Nelson said that some people may object to being stuck with a certain hauler for the full length of the agreement with the City. Mangold said that some people will also object to the government involvement in this scenario. Topitzhofer said that there are other options that would reduce trucks: for instance, work with the haulers to have them cooperate on just one yard waste hauler. Topitzhofer suggested continuing the discussion at a future meeting; he said that he can collect budget numbers related to street maintenance, etc. Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Shotwell provided the report. Community Bandshell Planning Group: Bornholdt provided the report. FOWL: Werner provided the report. Next Meeting/Adjournment Heredia Park Public Meeting Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm, City Hall (may be rescheduled) Regular April Meeting Tuesday, April 19, 7:00 pm, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) Bornholdt moved, seconded by Werner, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:54 pm.