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2013-09 CSCSeptember 17, 2013 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC: Gerry Charnitz, Tracy Hollenback, Arlan Nelson, Bob Shotwell, Andrew Seffrood, Reed Bornholdt, Dan Edgerton, LuAnn Werner, Michele Thompson, Greg Mangold STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Karen Shragg ABSENT CSC: Terry Heinze PLAN COM: Tom Rublein COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Charnitz called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Bornholdt moved, seconded by Hollenback, to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Ice Arena Improvements: Working with Wold Architects on plans for the Arena improvements. For now, the City is proceeding with just the locker room improvements. Champps was awarded a temporary liquor license to sell beer at the Arena. Open Streets at PennFest: 5,000 people attended. Discussion Items Summer Concerts Site Survey Results Topitzhofer presented the survey results from the summer concerts, completed at four different concerts and online. He said that the online surveys favor Lyndale Gardens overall and in most categories, while the written surveys and the average of the two survey formats revealed a slight preference for Vets Park overall and in all but two categories. Community Garden Relocation Topitzhofer said that a Richfield location would be ideal for the community gardens, which are currently on airport property at 59th Street and 28th Avenue, for security and maintenance reasons. He determined that seven parks would have enough space. He introduced Nature Center Manager Shragg, saying that he and Shragg visited the sites and eliminated Monroe, because of heavy demand for athletic usage, and Taft because of potential tree removal. He determined that putting up a fence at Vets Park would make it difficult to plow, would be maintenance- intensive, and may not secure the area anyway, but there could be room for a full-sized garden. They concluded that Adams Hill and Roosevelt Parks may have space for a garden that is half the size of the current garden. Nelson said that Adams Hill is a neighborhood park and the playground is heavily used, the soil is bad, the parking is not sufficient for people visiting by car, and there would be a very steep walk from the parking lot to the garden. Topitzhofer said that parking is a challenge already at Vets Park on Saturdays during the Farmers Market; Charnitz says that it’s full at other times, too. Shragg said that the logistics of maintaining and securing the garden when it’s not in Richfield or patrolled by Richfield Police make it difficult. Shotwell asked if Richfield can even accommodate a garden. Nelson said that the soil quality at Roosevelt and Vets is excellent, but there may be an additional parking lot needed for the gardeners (possibly a widened path). Topitzhofer asked what the group would think of soil testing at Roosevelt and Vets. Werner asked about less revenue for smaller plots; Shragg said that we would have less expenses for water and land. Topitzhofer said that there would be additional planning to be done. Clarification of Organized Waste Hauling Vote from May CSC Meeting Topitzhofer said that the vote taken in May regarding a recommendation to move forward with planning for organized waste hauling, had been reviewed by the City Attorney, who determined that the motion did not pass. He said that an article, published by the League of MN Cities, referenced a similar vote and seems to suggest that the motion in May actually passed. Topitzhofer said that the City Attorney reviewed the case referenced in the article, reviewed the CSC vote, and reaffirmed that the motion in May did not pass. Edgerton said that the intent of the rule is important; was the intent of those who abstained to vote no and, if not, perhaps the vote should be taken again. Charnitz said that a question can always be called by a member, but he wouldn’t question the ruling of the City Attorney. Charnitz and Edgerton agreed that the waste-hauling topic should be discussed, not the City Attorney’s opinion, and the question could be called again at any time. Edgerton said that either Mangold or Edgerton could call the question again. Charnitz suggested that, if a motion is made again, it may be best to discuss it next month instead. Edgerton moved, seconded by Nelson, to raise the issue again in October. Approved, seven yes votes (Hollenback, Nelson, Werner, Bornholdt, Shotwell, Edgerton, Charnitz), three no votes (Seffrood, Mangold, Thompson). Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Edgerton/Shotwell FOWL: Werner Waste Hauling Study Group: Mangold Arts Commission: Thompson Planning Commission: Topitzhofer Richfield Gateway Monument Edgerton said that there is funding to do border markers at the City “entrances” on major streets. He shared a few drafts from MnDOT. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular October Meeting: Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave). Mangold moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.