2016-11 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, Joannette Cintrón de Núñez, Michele Thompson, Lisa Rudolph, Emma Nollenberger, Dan Smieja, Danielle Indovino Cawley
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans < </wCOUNCIL: Edwina Garcia </w: <PLAN COM: Rick Jabs
ABSENT
CSC: Anne Basso, Crystal Brakke, Carolyn Engeldinger
Call to Order
Vice Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
A high school student who lives in Richfield introduced himself; he is considering applying for a youth commission position on the Human Rights Commission and is attending the CSC meeting
to observe.
The group introduced itself to new member Danielle Indovino Cawley.
Approval of Minutes
Rudolph moved, seconded by Smieja, to approve the minutes of the regular October meeting. Approved, ayes all. <
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Wood Lake’s Halloween Event: Held on October 22. Record attendance: 1,600.
Band Shell Project: Plans have been revised; bids will be solicited in January.
Action Items
Final Park Entrance Sign Consideration
Topitzhofer presented a mockup of a proposed park sign, based on some of the feedback from the discussions at past meetings. He showed the color choice the group favored, a darker green,
with high-contrast gold lettering and a removable logo badge if the City’s logo ever changes. He said that the signs will be phased in based on the ones that are either missing or most
in need of replacement, as well as any parks where projects are already taking place. Rudolph said that the Arts Commission has been talking about wayfinding signs for various landmarks;
she suggested that this mockup be shared with them to use similar design and colors. Topitzhofer said that we would install the signs in-house and would spend about $1,000 per sign.
Felgate suggested white lettering or reflective for higher contrast; Rudolph suggested that the wayfinding signs should be high-contrast, but the park signs may not need to be. Felgate
said that some lighting would help visibility if the lettering is gold. Topitzhofer said that the mounting posts could be wood, like the current signposts, or a low-maintenance plastic
product. Staff will send a mockup of the sign with white lettering as well as gold.
December Meeting Cancellation
Engeldinger moved, seconded by Rudolph, to cancel the regular December meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment
Engeldinger moved, seconded by Cintrón de Núñez, to appoint Louis Dzierzak to the Friends of Wood Lake Board for a three-year term. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items
Parks Master Plan
Topitzhofer reported that a consultant, SRF, has been chosen to revise the City’s Comprehensive Plan; part of that plan includes the Parks Master Plan. He said that the Parks Master
Plan revision process will include community engagement, input from commission members and staff. Bornholdt reported on the meeting with SRF, saying that the Parks Master Plan revision
won’t be a thorough rewriting of it, as it was in 2008, but tweaking and updating items and adding ideas. He explained that the revised plan is submitted to Met Council for approval
and the plan is accepted by the end of 2017. He said that the community engagement process will include feedback meetings at various venues in different neighborhoods of Richfield to
encourage residents to participate in the process. Planning Commission Liaison Rick Jabs encourages all members to spread the word and get involved in the process, so as many residents
as possible have ownership and engagement in the plan. He said that this process needs to include outreach to people of all ethnicities and languages; to include their input will be
crucial. Bornholdt said that the varied locations of the input sessions will help promote this engagement. Topitzhofer said that these sessions will be targeted encounters to ensure
strong engagement, rather than a series of open houses that have tended to be poorly-attended in the past. He said that the SRF contract will be considered by the Council in January
and the interviews, meetings, and discussions will begin immediately. Thompson suggested inviting people who are attending events; Smieja suggested inviting groups who use the parks;
Topitzhofer said that input sessions will be held through the schools; Smieja suggested promoting it during parent-teacher conferences and at the library. Felgate suggested distributing
info with permits and at the DMV counter. Rudolph said that the school district is doing a review of their facilities and assessing their needs and suggested that the City engage with
them during that process. Topitzhofer said that the school district has reached out to the City; Bornholdt said that the Mayor confirmed that the schools will be part of this process.
Discussion Items
Gypsy Moth Control Efforts
Bornholdt reported that Gypsy Moths are an invasive species that has been doing damage to native vegetation and their numbers are growing rapidly. He said that various pods have been
identified at various locations around the state and Richfield has been identified as an area of infestation for quarantine and control of the population and proceed with spraying efforts
to eliminate them, based on approvals from various State and Federal agencies. He said that, pending these approvals, the control plan would begin in the spring.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Felgate provided the report. The group is reviewing plans for pedestrian and bike lanes.
Friends of Wood Lake: Engeldinger provided the report. <She reported that the group will meet twice a month for an extra study session. She reported on the Turkey Trailblazer 1K/5K
(Nov 22) and Candlelight & Ice (Dec 31).
Planning Commission: Cintron de Nunez provided the report.
Arts Commission: Rudolph provided the report.
Friendship City Commission: Topitzhofer provided the report.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular January Meeting
Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment
Bornhold moved, seconded by Cintrón de Núñez, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:05.
November 15, 2016