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2014-04 CSCApril 15, 2014 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, April 15, 2014 Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC: Carolyn Engeldinger, Crystal Brakke, Teresa Kruse, Arlan Nelson, Reed Bornholdt, Terry Heinze, Michele Thompson, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Dan Edgerton STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link ABSENT CSC: Tracy Hollenback 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 pointed out the wrong name in the March minutes for the call to order. Brakke moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes with the aforementioned correction. Approved, ayes all. Engeldinger moved, seconded by Kruse, to approve this evening’s agenda. Approved, ayes all. New members Cintron de Nunez and Kruse introduced themselves. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Taft Fishery Grant: Staff submitted a grant to the DNR for amenities at Taft Lake to improve access to the lake, including boat access, platform around the water’s edge, and a new fishing pier. Egg Scramble: The event was held on Saturday, April 12, at Augsburg Park, and was very well-attended with 180 kids. Ice Arena Improvements: A current retail tenant, Hat Trick Hockey, will no longer lease space at the Arena. A trainer with the MN Magicians will use the room as a workout facility. This will lower the budget for the renovation project. The locker room construction will be finished on the west side of the building in two weeks. Vets Park Play Equipment Replacement: The play equipment is due to be replaced; a topic has been posted on Richfield Connect to gather ideas about people’s preferences for playground equipment. Based on those ideas, an RFP will be written and volunteers from the CSC score the proposals that are submitted. Public Works Link reported on the following: Emerald Ash Borer: The City is continuing their direct-injection/removal program for ash trees. LED Street Lights: The City is considering replacing existing streetlights with LED lights, which would be a significant savings over the current $250,000 operating cost for electricity. Gateway: Staff has worked with volunteers from the Transportation Commission to develop an idea for a series of border signs with landscaping to make the entrance points to the City more attractive. Sweet Streets: A marketing campaign has begun to inform the public about the major road improvements being done over the next several years, including mill and overlay and restriping of some of the major roads. Action Items 2015-2019 Parks Capital Improvement Plan Topitzhofer reviewed the capital improvement plan for 2015-2019. Brakke asked if the Taft Pier mentioned in the previous month’s plan would be covered by the DNR being requested; Topitzhofer said that the grant would cover the cost of the pier. He mentioned the largest item in upcoming years: the replacement of the refrigeration system at the Ice Arena to a system that doesn’t use Freon, which will be outlawed. He said that the project will be funded over several years worth of CIP budgets. Brakke asked if there would be any public funds that will assist with the conversion of the system and asked if the CSC members can help. Topitzhofer said that there is legislation, but it wouldn’t benefit us now. So, we don’t know at this time if there will be funding in 2017 for Richfield, but advocates would be greatly important. Edgerton asked if the capital improvement budget should bear the burden of this system conversion or if the Council may consider other sources. Other CSC members agreed that this would be a great burden on the capital budget. Topitzhofer said that the only other source that might be possible would be a bond referendum and that may be a possibility by that time. Kruse asked about the cost of major maintenance items to park buildings, like roof replacements, etc. Topitzhofer said that those types of items are funded by the $45,000 Parks Maintenance item in the capital budget. Topitzhofer asked if that Arena should remain in the CIP as presented; Edgerton said that it should stay in for now, but it is more urgent than new construction items like the band shell or play equipment. Thompson moved, seconded by Kruse, to recommend Council approval of the 2015-2019 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. Approved, ayes all. Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Edgerton provided the report. Band Shell Task Force: Bornholdt provided the report, saying that the group held their monthly meeting last Saturday (4/12) and a group of people was in attendance that has voiced opposition to the band shell being located at Vets Park for environmental reasons. Topitzhofer said that Nature Center Manager Shragg talked with the Audubon Society who said that the band shell would not negatively impact the bird life. Brakke asked if certain experts and consultants could be brought together with those opposed to the location could meet to address these concerns. Topitzhofer said that an open house will be held and the Council will ultimately decide. FOWL: Brakke provided the report, mentioning the Wood Lake Benefit Dinner on Friday, April 25. Planning Commission: Garcia provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular May Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave). Edgerton moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.