2014-10 CSCREGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave)
PRESENT CSC: Carolyn Engeldinger, Michele Thompson, Arlan Nelson, Reed Bornholdt, Celestin Radison, Terry Heinze, Joannette Cintron de Nunez STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans
PLAN COM: Tom Rublein COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia ABSENT CSC: Tracy Hollenback, Teresa Kruse, Crystal Brakke, Dan Edgerton
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes/Introductions Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting.
Approved, ayes all. Thompson moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the agenda for this meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Vets Park Play Equipment: The play equipment installation is almost complete. Drain tile installation is being completed, then the wood fiber will be placed.
Emily Day Pavilion: A donation from Emerson Congregational Church has enabled the building of a park shelter at Wood Lake for their picnic area, called the Emily Day Pavilion. It is
mostly complete and was dedicated on 9/19 with Emily in attendance.
Roosevelt Picnic Shelter: Richfield Baseball Inc. has donated funds for a new shelter, to be installed soon.
Taft/Legion Storm Water Project: Work has been underway on the vacation of the road around the pond.
Monroe Park Improvements: The Minnesota Twins and Toro donated money to rebuild the ballfield at Monroe. The work was completed by volunteers from these organizations.
Open Streets at Penn Fest: The event was well-attended with agreeable weather.
Wood Lake Halloween Event: The event was attended by 1,100 people; weather was excellent.
Action Items Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment Garcia asked if the applicants are interviewed. Topitzhofer said that Nature Center Manager Shragg talks with them. Garcia, Thompson,
and Bornholdt agreed that some kind of interview process would be good. Topitzhofer said that it could also be an orientation. Bornholdt asked about getting more information from the
applicant. Thompson said that the application could include a job description; Engeldinger said that it should clarify the expectations of the members. Bornholdt asked if a subcommittee
should be assembled. Topitzhofer said that one or two CSC members could accompany Shragg in an interview. Thompson said that she could be part of that process if the meeting was later.
Engeldinger moved, seconded by Thompson, to appoint Toni Gerard and reappoint Susan Sutton to the Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items Garfield Park Play Equipment Replacement Topitzhofer said that the play equipment had become outdated and was removed and some tentative plans had included swapping
this land for an area further south that could be turned into a flower garden, but there was not interest from developers. He said that the equipment will be replaced and the usual
process calls for a meeting with the neighbors as they talk about their equipment preferences, then issue a request for proposal and have a subcommittee score the proposals. He said
that staff used Rich Connect for the replacement of the play equipment at Vets and will probably do that for this park, as well. Rublein asked what the lifespan is for most play equipment;
Topitzhofer said that this will complete a replacement cycle using 25 years as the lifespan of play equipment. Rublein wondered if this project may affect the future of what can be
done with the old apartment buildings near the park, and vice versa. Topitzhofer said that he has gotten calls from neighbors, asking for play equipment to be reinstalled. Rublein
said that it would be prudent to find out any redevelopment plans for the surrounding area. Topitzhofer asked if people liked the process that has been used (neighborhood meeting, request
for proposal, scoring). Nelson said that the neighborhood meeting may give a good idea of the number of children living in the neighborhood. Topitzhofer said that there are neighbors
looking forward to new equipment. Engeldinger asked how big the play lot would be; Topitzhofer said that it would be proportionate to a small neighborhood park, like the equipment at
Little Bob’s Park. Engeldinger said that these smaller play lots are important to keep a neighborhood liveable. Topitzhofer said that the neighbors may mention preferences for lighting
and benches, as well as play equipment. The group approved by consensus of the usual process for play equipment replacement.
Veterans Park Boardwalk Topitzhofer said that he has put together cost estimates for total replacement of the boardwalk, which would be in the neighborhood of $175,000. He said that,
in the meantime, staff will replace individual damaged sections.
Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Edgerton provided a written report. Band Shell Task Force: Bornholdt and Topitzhofer reported that the soil at the site is inadequate;
a recommendation will be sent to Council in upcoming days regarding the cost of amending the soil at that site. Topitzhofer said that all soil reports for areas around Vets Park are
being reviewed by the engineers.
Planning Commission: Rublein provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report; the group was at Penn Fest, Band Shell fundraiser, and the Farmers Market.
Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular November Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave).
Thompson moved, seconded by Engeldinger, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
October 21, 2014
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.