2014-09 CSCREGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave)
PRESENT CSC: Carolyn Engeldinger, Crystal Brakke, Arlan Nelson, Reed Bornholdt, Dan Edgerton, Celestin Radison, Terry Heinze STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link ABSENT CSC:
Tracy Hollenback, Teresa Kruse, Michele Thompson PLAN COM: Tom Rublein COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes/Introductions Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Edgerton moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting.
Approved, ayes all. Engeldinger moved, seconded by Edgerton, to approve the agenda for this meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items Invasive Vegetation Control Plan Operations Coordinator Link summarized the plan to remove and control invasive plant species in three parks: Vets, Taft, and Richfield
Lake.
No Mow Areas in Parks Operations Coordinator Link said that there are areas in a few parks that are difficult and time-consuming to mow. He said that in Adams Hill Park and an area
of Vets Park northeast of the Arena have been allowed to grow this past year; Adams Hill was planted with native species. Link said that he would like to establish no-mow, or low-mow,
areas in Jefferson park next year. Bornholdt and Engeldinger asked if weeds would grow out of control in these areas; Link said that the areas would have to be monitored for weed growth
and would be mowed in June and again in the fall. Radison said that no-mow, native plant areas are grown around Lake Nokomis. Topitzhofer and Link said that they would talk with neighbors
and hold an open house in the spring at the park, which could be immediately before a CSC meeting. Edgerton said that he lives near the park and thinks that these areas would be good
experimental no-mow areas, as long as they were monitored for aesthetics. Link said that the plan is easily reversible if the trial proves to be unsuccessful.
Veterans Park Boardwalk
Topitzhofer reported that the 1,000-foot boardwalk at Vets Park was installed over 25 years ago and is in need of regular maintenance and repair. He said that new sections have been
ordered for the sections that have cracked and leaked plastic pebble foam. He presented different options: continue to repair sections, replace the whole boardwalk, replace it with
two docks that come out from each side, or abandon the boardwalk/dock idea entirely. He said that staff recommends continuing to repair it as needed while further research is done for
a long-term solution. Engeldinger said that the full boardwalk would be missed, so the dock idea shouldn’t be considered. Edgerton agreed. Engeldinger opted for a full replacement,
considering the 25-year life and popularity of it. Bornholdt said that the capital improvement budget may not allow for it in the next couple of years. Topitzhofer asked the group
if they would like for him to research the price of a full replacement and installation. Engeldinger said that guardrails could be a great addition and may be required for ADA-compliance
if it was completely replaced. Topitzhofer said that sections have been ordered for short-term repair; he said that the materials are more durable now than they were 25 years ago.
Nelson said he liked the idea of researching the price of replacement, either in pieces or all at once. The group agreed by consensus.
Action Items Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment Nelson moved, seconded by Engeldinger, to appoint Anthony Bradford to the Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors. Approved, ayes
all.
Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Vets Park Play Equipment: The play equipment contract was awarded by the Council. The existing equipment will be removed just before the new equipment is installed, probably in late
September or early October.
Roosevelt Picnic Shelter: Richfield Baseball Inc. has donated funds for a new shelter; a postcard will go out to neighbors on 9/17 and the notice will be posted online.
Emily Day Shelter: A donation from Emerson Congregational Church has enabled the building of a park shelter at Wood Lake for their picnic area, to be called the Emily Day Pavilion.
Open Streets at Penn Fest: Sunday, September 21.
Bike to the Market Day: At the Farmers Market on September 20, the CSC has been invited to participate in a surrey race.
Monroe Park Improvements: The Minnesota Twins and Toro have donated money to rebuild the backstop in a neighborhood park; Monroe had a very old backstop. Neighbors were notified. The
field will be improved with benches.
Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Edgerton provided the report, talking about improvements along the county roads, as well as an upcoming open house regarding 66th Street
improvements. Band Shell Task Force: Bornholdt provided the report; mentioned the fundraiser concert on October 5.
Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular October Meeting Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave). Engeldinger moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm.
September 16, 2014
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.