2015-11 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC:, Art Felgate, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Michele Thompson, Carolyn Engledinger
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans < </w:tPLAN COM: Rick Jabs
ABSENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Tracy Hollenback, Seth Rima, Crystal Brakke, Teresa Kruse </COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
Call to Order
Vice Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Community Center Boiler Replacement: After a failed inspection, the boiler is being replaced on an emergency basis.
Taft Park Fishery Improvements: Casting platforms are in place; an ADA-compliant trail has been graded down to the fishing pier.
Play Equipment Inspection: An independent inspector will check all 20 play equipment lots to determine their safety.
Discussion Items
Cancel December Meeting: December meeting will likely be cancelled unless there arises a reason to meet. A legal will be posted.
Discussion Items
Update on Status of Organized Garbage Collection in Bloomington: Topitzhofer reported that the Bloomington City Council will consider a contract in December with a consortium of haulers
to jointly provide garbage collection, divided up among the haulers by current market share. He said that a group called Haulers for Choice has filed a lawsuit against the City to require
a referendum to consider the Council’s vote; Hennepin County has announced a 10% increase in their fees to the haulers, which will absorb any savings seen by residents, which may hurt
the perception of organized hauling saving on hauling fees. <Topitzhofer asked if the CSC agrees to wait for the results of the Council vote and the lawsuit against the City. Felgate
said (and the other CSC members all agreed) that Richfield can only benefit from waiting to see the results of the pending decisions in Bloomington. Thompson asked if Bloomington’s
curbside cleanup day is included in the proposed contract with the haulers. Topitzhofer said that it is included, but Richfield may consider adopting the Minneapolis model, where the
curbside pickups are issued on each resident account as a voucher they may use a number of times. Felgate asked if Richfield could benefit from extending any agreements or arrangements
adopted by Minneapolis or Bloomington. Topitzhofer said that it may be possible, although Minneapolis has a hybrid model with some private haulers and some City haulers, but there may
be some way to cooperate in a neighboring city’s contract.
Monroe Park Storm Water Project: Topitzhofer reported that the open house held at St. Richard’s Church prior to the October CSC meeting went well, despite being only modestly attended.
He said that neighborhood residents expressed the desire to preserve the sledding hill, plant more trees and some native plants, and add some lighting. He asked if the CSC agreed that
these were the prevailing thoughts shared by the neighborhood members who attended. Cintron de Nunez suggested a motion-sensing light in the poorly-lit area of the park so it wouldn’t
create too much light after park hours but would come on as needed. Felgate asked about dimmable light; Thompson mentioned lights that detect daylight. Topitzhofer said that he will
ask Public Works how dimmable lights would be used. Topitzhofer said that some areas of the park will stay dryer after storms with the better drainage. <Engeldinger asked how the City
determines how much to spend at each park. Topitzhofer said that the CSC recommends those decisions to the Council based on staff recommendations. Engeldinger asked about funds spent
at certain parks that are seen as gateways into the City to beautify them. Felgate said that some projects like that have other funding sources. Engeldinger asked how much would be
spent on a single neighborhood park like Monroe since not all neighborhood parks can have top-notch amenities. Topitzhofer said that, in 2016, the Parks Master Plan will be revised
and the needs of each individual park can be assessed and considered. Jabs said that these improvements are an opportunity to use funds related to this stormwater project, but, aside
from the ballfield improved with funds from the Twins, the park is definitely does not have luxury amenities and some of the suggested improvements are even safety issues (i.e. lighting,
etc). Topitzhofer said that the neighborhood expressed a desire to not change any uses in Monroe Park.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Felgate provided the report. He said that discussion was about 66th Street; the group talked about preserving old-growth trees along 66th Street wherever
possible. He said that a new median along 66th Street will have trees along it. He said that there will be crosswalks and bike trails, so there may be more usage of parks from residents
across 66th Street.
Band Shell Taskforce: Topitzhofer reported that some fundraising efforts are still being explored by Friends of the Band Shell.
Friends of Wood Lake: Topitzhofer reported that the Turkey Trailblazer 1K/5K will be held on Saturday, November 21.
Planning Commission: Engeldinger provided the report.
Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report.
Other Items
Cintron de Nunez said that her employer, a mortgage lender, has HUD grant funds available for low-income homeowner assistance with mortgage payments and financial education.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular January Meeting
Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:02 pm.
November 17, 2015