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2015-01 CSCREGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Dan Edgerton, Carolyn Engeldinger, Terry Heinze, Teresa Kruse, Arlan Nelson, Celestin Radison, Michele Thompson STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Jeff Pearson (Engineering), Cheryl Dragotis (Recreation), Katherine Byers Ferrian (Farmers Market) COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia ABSENT CSC: Crystal Brakke, Tracy Hollenback PLAN COM: Tom Rublein Call to Order/Approval of Minutes & Agenda Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Heinze moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular November meeting (11/18/14). Approved, ayes all. Edgerton moved, seconded by Kruse, to approve this evening’s agenda. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: New Year’s Eve: Successful events were held at the Ice Arena and Wood Lake Nature Center. Richfield Home and Garden Show: The RHGS, formerly known as the Remodeling Fair, will include displays provided by Richfield Recreation, to share information about gardening, outdoor recreation, etc. CSC members are asked to volunteer to staff a booth with a slide show of Richfield’s parks and park information. Action Items Farmers Market Report & Policies Byers-Ferrian explained the idea of the satellite location of the Farmers Market, which has been held in addition to the main Saturday market for the last few years. She said that the location and day of the week of the satellite market has changed over the years. She said that, for the past two years, the market has been held on the property owned by Cornerstone Development, where the Lyndale Garden Center used to be. She said that it has presented a few challenges: parking, space, run down pavement, access to electricity and water, visibility and signage, competition with Lakewinds and their certified-organic produce, and limited staff time. Topitzhofer asked for the group’s reaction to the idea of taking a break from the satellite market for a year or two. Heinze said that it sounds like the challenges outweigh the benefits. Bornholdt asked if anybody is strongly in favor of keeping the satellite market. Engeldinger said that she leans that way, considering that it may take time to build an audience for it and other sites could be considered. Topitzhofer said that a main deterrent to having a market with such low attendance is not as much about the City’s time and money, but more about the vendor’s time and money. Byers-Ferrian said that many vendors did not come back to the satellite market because it costs them money to be there and they depend on sales. Engeldinger moved, seconded by Kruse, to approve of the decision to suspend the satellite market at Lyndale Gardens. Byers-Ferrian also presented the group with her draft application for community groups to have a presence at the Farmers Market. She said that it has been groups like master gardeners, Hennepin County transportation, Richfield 4th of July Committee, Richfield Historical Society, etc. She said that she likes having these groups as a connection to the community. She said that some markets do not like having any groups that would be doing any fundraising. She asked the group how they felt about allowing for-profit groups. She recommended limiting it to Richfield-based non-profit groups and not allowing for-profit groups who may be in competition with the market vendors for people’s money. Dragotis said that they may be open to for-profit groups having a presence, but more in a sponsorship role. Engeldinger asked if for-profit groups have been charged in the past and if it would generate a lot of revenue if we did. Byers Ferrian said that they have not been charged. Topitzhofer said that he favors the sponsorship idea, like our relationship with Lakewinds. Edgerton said that community groups definitely would create that vibrant community atmosphere and for-profit groups should be more limited. Kruse said that the policy could be written with clear criteria about the groups that would be allowed at the market for free and what kind of objective the market has with the sponsorship idea. Topitzhofer asked how the group feels about local community groups that may ask for donations. Heinze said that fundraisers would have a strong presence. Kruse said that, thinking in terms of scout groups selling cookies and wrapping paper and wreaths, it would not be the proper forum for active fundraising groups. Edgerton said that maybe there could be some guidelines that would limit the sales and fundraising activity. Engeldinger agreed, saying that if they had a presence that wasn’t more aggressive than the vendors, it’s part of the community. Heinze said that, through the application process, staff could make the decision. Edgerton said that it shouldn’t be arbitrary. Topitzhofer summarized: the CSC favors groups that are in or near Richfield and some guidelines should be written that clearly spell out the kind of group that would or would not be allowed. Byers-Ferrian said that the criteria may be more useful if they disallow certain aggressive sales tactics, rather than certain groups. Edgerton said that maybe businesses could be approached with a formal sponsorship plan, like bronze, silver, and gold levels. Friends of Wood Lake Board Reappointment Edgerton moved, seconded by Thompson, to reappoint Nancy Stiller to the Friends of Wood Lake Board for a three-year term. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items 66th Street Intersections Transportation Engineer Pearson outlined the plans for the reconstruction of 66th Street, spotlighting the planned use of roundabouts, public art, signage, and different types of pedestrian signals. He outlined the schedule for bringing the plan to the Planning Commission, Council, and Arts Commission. Garfield Park Play Equipment Replacement Topitzhofer said that Garfield Park is the next park in the cycle to have its play equipment replaced. He said that the old play equipment had to be removed for safety reasons, as it was old and not up to current standards. He said that staff would use the usual process: hold a neighborhood meeting just prior to the February CSC meeting, invite neighbors to talk about their preferences, issue a request-for-proposal, assemble a subcommittee to grade the proposals, and present the contract to the Council. He presented a few alternate features to propose to the neighborhood for the park, like benches, pet waste receptacles, a perimeter trail, better lighting, or a drinking fountain. Kruse likes the idea of a perimeter trail, since people have used the park for walking dogs. Topitzhofer asked about the choice between a perimeter trail and play equipment. Kruse said that it depends on the people of the neighborhood. Edgerton asked if the playground was well-used. Topitzhofer said that he has gotten three or four calls from neighbors, asking if it will be replaced. Kruse said that these calls probably warrant new equipment. Topitzhofer said that he will talk with neighbors about these options, as well as ideas for gates in the fence between the park and the apartments. Engeldinger asked if there is a waste receptacle in the park now or if a new one would require another stop for garbage trucks. Topitzhofer said that he wasn’t sure, but it would be added as a stop for the park garbage truck. Topitzhofer said that the neighborhood meeting would be at the Community Center. Capital Improvement Budget Preliminary Discussion Topitzhofer presented the outline of the draft capital improvement plan, saying that he’s presenting the items for an initial look; the items will return for the group’s consideration in February. Committee Reports Transportation Commission: Edgerton provided the report. Band Shell Taskforce: Bornholdt provided the report, talking about the concept of naming the band shell after the Peterson Family. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Next Meeting/Other/Adjournment Regular February Meeting Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave). Farewell to Outgoing Members Topitzhofer honored Nelson and Heinze for their service on the CSC. Radison told the group that he is leaving the country for a couple of years, so will have to resign from the group, effective immediately. Adjournment Meeting adjourned by consensus at 10:04 pm. January 20, 2015 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.