Loading...
2015-03 CSCREGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 17, 2015 Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave) PRESENT CSC: Reed Bornholdt, , Dan Edgerton, Teresa Kruse, Art Felgate, Michele Thompson, Crystal Brakke STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia PLAN COM: Rick Jabs OTHERS: Maureen Scaglia (League of Women Voters), Susan Rosenberg (League of Women Voters) ABSENT CSC: Tracy Hollenback, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Carolyn Engeldinger Call to Order/Approval of Minutes & Agenda Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Thompson moved, seconded by Kruse, to approve the minutes of the regular February meeting (2/17/15). Approved, ayes all. Kruse moved, seconded by Brakke, to approve this evening’s agenda. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Garfield Park Play Equipment: RFP sent; three proposals received; expecting two more. Group will score the proposals; feedback will be gathered on Rich Connect; recommendation will come to CSC in April. Portland Avenue Sidewalk Art: Arts Commission met with Topitzhofer and transportation consultants about plans for sidewalk poetry. Funded by Hennepin County. Project may work for 66th Street when that work is done. Taft Fishery Improvements: Improvements scheduled for 2015; in capital budget for $60,000. New fishing pier and casting areas and non-motorized boat access point along shore. Not eligible for DNR grants because some land is being leased from the airport. Home and Garden Expo: Saturday, February 21, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Richfield High School. Egg Scramble: Saturday, March 28, 10:00 am, Vets Park. Friends of Wood Lake Dinner: Friday, April 24, MN Valley Country Club Committee Reports Band Shell Taskforce: Jabs provided the report. He said that the site plan will be presented to the Planning Commission. Friends of Wood Lake: Brakke volunteered to return as the liaison to FOWL. FOWL Dinner: Friday, April 24. Planning Commission: Jabs provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Discussion Items Organized Garbage Collection Topitzhofer said that the Council has identified this item as a goal for 2015. He recapped the research and discussions from the past (2012-2013) and introduced representatives from the League of Women Voters, who are in support of organized hauling. He said that Richfield has watched the City of Maplewood move from open hauling to organized hauling. He said that State Representative Slocum authored a bill that simplified the process for organizing haulers; the bill passed. In 2013, the CSC voted against recommending organized hauling twice. Maureen Scaglia summarized the studies and discussions, saying that the savings in hauling fees convinced opponents in some communities to support it. She said that there are issues of safety, road wear and tear, and pollution that convinced the League to support it. Scaglia said that there are many great examples of contracts in the metro area to use, which can result in low rates and an opportunity for smaller haulers to compete. She said that some cities will provide the garbage cans, so the cans don’t have to be changed if the City changes haulers with a new contract. Scaglia said that the League will be circulating a petition. She said that there are different options for the administration of hauling (complaints, etc). Brakke asked what options might work for the administration of the City’s plan. Scaglia said that staff would have to determine if the City’s staff and resources would make that feasible. Jabs asked what people’s reasons are for opposing it. Rosenberg and Scaglia said that some are opposed to government involvement; many do not want to give up the hauler of their choice. Thompson said that some people may perceive that prices will go up because there is just one hauler, like utilities. Felgate said that competition is not eliminated, the companies just compete up front to win the contract. Bornholdt said that the discussions in the past have talked about rate decreases as a hypothetical, but there may be increases in staff costs and City resources. Scaglia said that those costs are often worked into the billing, which often pays for any additional City resources. Topitzhofer said that the Council will need guidance, eventually from the CSC, on how involved staff will become in the administration. Bornholdt asked if a single company would use larger trucks, which may be more wear on the streets than a larger number of smaller trucks. Thompson said that the amount of administration taken on by the City must be spelled out clearly in the contract. Scaglia said that some cities have partial arrangements, where the recycling is organized, but the trash is open. Thompson asked if the League might consider holding another informational forum. Jabs suggested that the CSC invite people from communities that approved organized hauling to answer questions from the group. Garcia said that public education on the topic is important. Topitzhofer said that Richfield Connect is a great way to gather feedback from people. He said that Maplewood used a consultant that Richfield could invite to speak to the group about how to proceed. Edgerton said that it was such a contentious issue, it never really made it to a study phase or commitment, so an outside person would be valuable to inform and guide the group. Garcia suggested that start and end dates should be set to study and decide on the issue. Scaglia said that the petition was intended to bring the issue to the City’s attention, but it may not be necessary now. Edgerton said that more guidance and feedback from the Council would be helpful. Garcia said that it’s not clear how all of the Council Members feel about the issue. Jabs said that this Council goal is the direction from the Council to proceed with studying the issue. Topitzhofer said that this discussion was the goal for this meeting; he said that Jabs’ suggestion was good to bring in representatives from communities with organized hauling to answer questions. Scaglia suggested St. Louis Park because of their long history with organized hauling and Sauk Rapids because they recently went through the process. Scaglia suggested a work session with the CSC and representatives from communities with organized hauling. She said that she will ask about posting the League’s forum online. Next Meeting/Other/Adjournment Regular April Meeting Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave). Adjournment Thompson moved, seconded by Edgerton, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:30 pm. March 17, 2015 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.