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2012-01 CSCJanuary 17, 2012 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 17, 2012, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Bob Shotwell, Greg Mangold, Reed Bornholdt, Arlan Nelson, Michele Thompson, Dan Edgerton, Dave Gepner, LuAnn Werner Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Brandon Klement Others Rodney Knight (Wheel Fun) ABSENT CSC Gerry Charnitz (Chair), Sarah Till Planning Commission Tom Rublein Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Topitzhofer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Bornholdt moved, seconded by Mangold, to approve the minutes of the regular November meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports • Klement reported on the New Year's Eve skating event at the Ice Arena. • Bornholdt and Werner reported on the Wood Lake New Year's Eve event. • Topitzhofer reported on the MN Green Step Cities initiative, which will fund a bike plan and other bike-related promotions, an effort to promote healthier concession items, and support to move the Richfield Community Gardens back into Richfield. • Topitzhofer reported on the Richfield Nordic Ski course, for which there were plans to expand the course onto school property. The lack of snow has put those efforts on hold. • He reported that funding for the HAVM project has been approved and the group hopes to seek bids for the remaining work hardscaping work on the memorial prior to July 4, then the landscaping phase after July 4. Action Items Community Bandshell Concept Plan Donation Topitzhofer said that the bandshell group held a sharette at the Ice Arena, which included many community groups and architectural consultants. He said that the architects are helping to assemble the technical information for a request for proposals for architectural design. He said that the group is considering more information about reported plans to redirect some commercial flight traffic over Vets Park, which may render that location too noisy for a bandshell, so the group has not made a final location recommendation. Topitzhofer asked the group how they felt about paying somebody to help assemble concept plans. Edgerton asked if a site would need to be selected in order to finish a concept. Topitzhofer said that the consultant might help choose a location, but the final concept plan would depend on a decision about the location. Edgerton asked if more information is expected soon from MAC or any prior noise study. Topitzhofer said that he's not sure if there are any noise studies written with outdoor recreation in mind. Mangold asked if the group has considered the impact of the Lake Harriet bandshell (competition of any kind) or has the group determined that Richfield could sustain a bandshell, too, being so close to Lake Harriet. Topitzhofer said that the group hasn't talked about the market being saturated. Bornholdt added that neither bandshell would be likely to host anything but free events. Gepner said that bandshells are noisy, so that should be considered (or eventually mitigated). Topitzhofer asked the group if a concept plan would be a waste. Edgerton said that it would not be a waste and may help answer many unanswered questions. Gepner asked if the donor who is volunteering to fund the concept plan understands that the project isn't a sure thing. Werner agreed that a concept plan would be a good way to proceed. Bornholdt recommended acceptance of the $5,000 donation to fund the assembly of a concept plan for a community bandshell. Approved, ayes all. Adventure Gardens Mini Golf Operations Agreement Wheel Fun said that this past year has been good for the mini-golf course. He said that revenue increased 33% over 2010, and rounds increased by 20%. He said that the course probably benefited greatly from cross-promotion with their other facilities in the Twin Cities. He said that the facility itself, however, faces deterioration and is in need of improvement. He said that Wheel Fun is proposing an ice cream shop atmosphere with coffee, ice cream and malts, with a patio area with a pergola and landscaping. He said they'd also have interest in improvements to the playground equipment, repairs to the waterfall centerpiece, and improvements to some of the hole carpeting. He said that there would be interest in a pumpkin patch fall event in conjunction with the Farmers Market. Werner asked about an expansion of hours. He said that they would be interested in expanding the hours of the coffee/ice cream shop itself, but not the course (the lights don't work, so they couldn't stay open after dark). Thompson asked how the Art Center space be affected. Topitzhofer and Wheel Fun guy said that the plan is for the Art Center space to remain unchanged. Thompson said that the Arts Commission may be interested in hearing the plans. Topitzhofer said that, in order for Wheel Fun to commit to these improvements, the City would have to enter into a seven-year contract with Wheel Fun. He asked the Commission if there was any feedback regarding such an agreement. Thompson said that the agreement would be a win for everybody with more and more activity there. Werner asked about the proposed bandshell and asked if there would be an additional concession facility that may compete with a mini golf stand. Topitzhofer said that there are not thoughts to build a concession stand onto a bandshell. Mangold asked how the seven-year contract term was determined and asked if the Council would be comfortable with a seven-year commitment or if there are other similar DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. January 17, 2012 agreements. Topitzhofer said that our relationship with Hat Trick Hockey is very similar, but a shorter term. WF said that their relationship with the Minneapolis Park Board began with a one-year agreement, was then expanded to a five-year agreement, then became a ten-year agreement. He said that it has to do with the amount they’re willing to invest in property that they don’t own. Topitzhofer said that one negative to locking in to a seven-year investment is that they will lock in the revenue amount we’d get, but the City would invest far less money in the physical upkeep of the facility. WF said that they place a high priority on facilities that look clean and in good repair. Gepner asked how the contract was written; Topitzhofer said that the contract is the same as the one approved for 2011, but would have a longer term and would include a clause that would clarify the fact that any improvements to infrastructure would become property of the City of Richfield. Gepner asked about the language in the contract that clarifies that the course would be considered a City facility. Topitzhofer said that this would be to comply with covenants attached to grant money received by the MnDNR for park improvements years ago. Gepner asked where the nearest competitor is; Klement said that the nearest comparable one would be in Eagan. Gepner asked about better signage. Klement said that the plans are almost complete for new signage at 64th and Portland Avenue, as well as a directional sign further in to direct people to HAVM, the playground, mini golf, etc. Bornholdt asked if bike rentals have been good; WF said that bike rental hasn’t been extremely strong, but if some of the greenway areas are eventually developed, the bike rentals are expected to improve. Werner asked what the cost of maintaining the facility was. Klement said that an average year saw $8,000-9,000 in major maintenance. Gepner moved, seconded by Werner, to recommend approval of a seven-year operating contract with Wheel Fun Rentals. Approved, ayes all. Augsburg Skate Park Topitzhofer reminded the group that the skate park group were not happy with the proposals they had received, but a discussion with City of Bloomington staff revealed a willingness to cooperate on a facility. He said that they have since discovered that Bloomington is not in the market for a poured-concrete amenity, which is what Richfield has been seeking. The CSC had made it clear in November that Richfield should invest only in a facility in Richfield. Topitzhofer said that the skate group considered issuing a third request for proposal or they could reconsider the scope of the project. He said that the group decided instead to ask for a proposal from Spahn Ranch for the facility that meets all of their recommendations; such an ideal design would cost over $95,000. Topitzhofer said that he was reminded recently that the City has an ongoing contract with a concrete company called Kassa Construction. He said that he is pursuing the possibility of having Kassa do much of the non-specialized work at little (or maybe even no) cost. Gepner asked why they would donate their services and supplies. Topitzhofer said that they have a good relationship with the City and may consider some donated supplies or service. Werner, Mangold, and Edgerton suggested pursuing the more desirable plan through soliciting donations, cutting costs, etc. Mangold moved, seconded by Thompson, to recommended approval of a contract with Spahn Ranch that would be more than the initially-approved project budget (possibly $95,000, rather than $70,000). Committee Reports FOWL Board: Werner provided the report. Waste Hauling Study Group: Mangold provided the waste hauling study report. He said that the City of Maplewood City Council voted 4-1 in favor of organized hauling. He reported on a Hennepin County initiative to increase recycling, and Richfield is just one of three Hennepin County municipalities that have open recycling service. Topitzhofer explained that Hennepin County pays the City of Richfield $90,000 a year to administer the recycling program, 90% of which goes back on the water bill as a refund to the residents. He said that, as Mangold mentioned, the Green Step Cities initiative may fit well as an objective to pursue organized hauling of recycling. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report, mentioning the Teen Art Contest and the Public Art Walking Tour brochure. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular February meeting Tuesday, February 21, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave). Werner moved, seconded by Thompson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm.