Loading...
2012-04 CSCApril 17, 2012 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Gerry Charnitz, Michele Thompson, Terry Heinze, Reed Bornholdt, Arlan Nelson, Dan Edgerton, LuAnn Werner, Bob Shotwell Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans Planning Commission Tom Rublein ABSENT CSC Greg Mangold Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Charnitz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Bornholdt moved, seconded by Edgerton, to approve the minutes of the regular March meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Open Streets Event-Blue Cross Blue Shield will provide funding to support Open Streets at PennFest in the fall. He said that the grant will reimburse the City for staffing expenses, etc. Augsburg Skate Park-Council approved the skate park with the higher revised budget. Honoring All Vets Memorial-Plans are being finalized for this spring’s construction. Discussion Items Roosevelt Park Play Equipment Topitzhofer said that Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Family Stability Task Force has approached staff about funding a project that would support the installation of equipment at a park that would promote physical activity. He said that he showed them the plan for Roosevelt Park’s play equipment replacement and they liked it. He said that there will be an event for the play equipment’s grand opening. He said that one of the City’s maintenance guys advised against the resilient rubber matting because it is susceptible to fire, so the plan will be revised, which will lower the project cost. Edgerton asked what was new with the do.town initiative and asked if there has been much publicity about it. Topitzhofer said that it’s a healthy living initiative, but Blue Cross Blue Shield has other funding mechanisms that have become available. Edgerton asked if Edina and Bloomington have launched any ideas related to the initiative; Topitzhofer said that Richfield has been more involved and active than the other communities. Community Bandshell Update Rublein and Bornholdt reported that the ideal proposed location for the bandshell, Veterans Park, has been determined to be along the corridor through which the Metro Airport Commission guides flights (along Crosstown). They reported that there is concern that the flyover noise would be too disruptive to make Vets Park a viable option. Bornholdt said that Butler, Bandshell Task Force Chair, approached Best Buy about funding a feasibility report. Rublein said that the project seems to be growing in scope, especially considering that the City’s budgeted contribution would be about $250,000 and Butler is talking about an estimated project cost of $1 million. Rublein said that, during the 4th of July celebrations, plane flyover has not been terribly disruptive to events in Vets Park. Topitzhofer said that a feasibility study with hard data, decibel readings, will reveal the kind of noise over the Lake Harriet bandshell. Rublein said that the available space and parking at Vets make it, by far, the most viable location. Charnitz said that, considering the original budget, a more intimate venue without a grand structure would be a better fit for the available budget. Shotwell said that the CSC should dictate the scope of the project (size and budget). Topitzhofer said that a recommendation from the Bandshell Task Force would come to the CSC, who would make their recommendation to the City Council. Edgerton said that noise levels are relative and the issue may be the decibel difference between a concert and an airplane, which is data that the group can collect. Werner said that she would favor the Vets Park location, too, and is wondering how forthcoming MAC might be regarding flight patterns and schedules. Topitzhofer asked the group to respond to Charnitz’s comment regarding determining the project budget. Charnitz reminded the group to keep in m ind that the item was not originally in the capital improvement plan and was supposed to be privately funded and has since been added to the plan over time. He said that neighbors have questioned why the City would be funding an expensive bandshell at this time. Charnitz said that the demand and use for such a facility may not be as great as hoped. Edgerton said that there will be related operating expenses; Topitzhofer said that staff would approach the Council with a related operating budget. Shotwell said that the Lake Harriet bandshell is already available to this community, so we wouldn’t need to build a redundant facility of our own. Edgerton said that it is the role of the CSC to consider facilities of our own that would be community gathering places, like Centennial Lakes. Charnitz said that the Centennial Lakes facility would be appropriate in scope. Topitzhofer said that the Bandshell Group has a study session approaching with the Council, primarily to discuss hiring an architect for design proposals. Charnitz asked if the group will be ready for a design when scope, budget, and location are uncertain. Topitzhofer said that an architect may add aesthetic enhancements; Bornholdt said that they will also propose concepts. Edgerton offered to help the group present ideas. Werner asked what type of events may use such a facility. Topitzhofer said that various theater groups, churches, school concerts, or ethnic festivals may consider using or renting it. Charnitz asked if the City would consider hiring DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. April 17, 2012 an outside business to operate the facility; he said that it would be worth building if it was well used. Topitzhofer said that, realistically, the City could continue to book weekly concerts, but other groups would rent the facility. He said that school groups would use it in the fall and spring. Charnitz said that promoting that usage would take a tremendous amount of work. Topitzhofer said that the hope would be that performers would ask to use the facility for no pay. Topitzhofer summarized by saying that the CSC seems to be favoring keeping the initial proposed financial investment of $250,000 would be the City’s limit, as well as a structure size limit of 50 feet high or smaller. He said that the City should consider an outside group to assist with the booking and operation of the facility. Nelson mentioned Roseville’s facility being well-used and within our scope. Bornholdt said that Rosemount has one within our scope. Shotwell said that the Arts Commission should be involved with the project, too. Several members recommended checking with other municipalities regarding operating budget demands. Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Shotwell provided the report. FOWL: Werner reported on the FOWL Dinner. Green Team: Werner reported that she and Mangold had talked about ideas. Planning Commission: Thompson provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) Heinze moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm.