2016-01 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, Michele Thompson, Carolyn Engeldinger, Joannette Cintron de Nunez
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans < </w:tPLAN COM: Rick Jabs
ABSENT
CSC: Tracy Hollenback, Seth Rima, Crystal Brakke, , Teresa Kruse </COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
Call to Order
Chair Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Thompson moved, seconded by Engeldinger, to approve the minutes of the 10/20/15 regular meeting and the 11/17/15 regular meeting. Approved, ayes all. <
Engeldinger moved, seconded by Thompson, to approve this evening’s meeting agenda (1/19/16). Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
Warming Houses & Rinks: Now open with good ice for skating. Late start with warm weather, but will extend the season as weather permits.<
New Year’s Eve Events: Wood Lake Nature Center and Ice Arena had successful events.<
Taft Ice Fishing Bowl: Sunday, February 6.<
Discussion Items
Organized Garbage Collection Update: Topitzhofer reported on updates to the City of Bloomington’s moves to organize garbage hauling. He said that a ruling on a lawsuit that would require
the decision to be decided by referendum has not been made; the judge asked for more information. He said that the program will not commence until after that ruling. He reported that
Hennepin County is increasing its tipping fees, which is their charge to the haulers. He said that this increase is passed on from the haulers to the customers, so Bloomington will
have to increase their fees after organizing. He reported that these delays in Bloomington will delay the report to the Richfield City Council on the subject, so staff will continue
to wait and see the outcome in Bloomington. He asked if there are any steps forward we can take while we wait for the lawsuit ruling in Bloomington. Thompson asked how the Council
is split regarding support or objection to organized hauling. Topitzhofer said that staff doesn’t know how the Council intends to vote. Jabs asked if the Council will receive an update
about this. Topitzhofer said that this same report to the CSC will go to the Council as a memo.
City Code Changes Regarding Commissions and Boards: Topitzhofer said that changes were made to the City Code regarding standardizing the bylaws of the commissions and boards. Bornholdt
said that it is being considered to require members to attend 75% of all meetings. Jabs and Thompson said that it is important for members to attend the meetings. Engeldinger said
that it is important to note that members are volunteers and are making time in their busy personal schedules to attend. Bornholdt said that there was also a renewed and consistent
initiative to appoint youth members to each commission. Thompson said that the code amendment indicates that youth members would be voting members. Engeldinger said that staff should
make contact with guidance counselors. Topitzhofer said that he did contact the high school and recruited four new youth members for different commissions. He said that, at the end
of each youth’s term, he will contact each Chair and encourage them to write a letter of recommendation for each youth member. Topitzhofer said that, as part of this effort, the CSC
is asked to review the existing bylaws to make sure that they are consistent with the new City-wide bylaws. Topitzhofer pointed out that the bylaws discuss appointing members that represent
different communities: seniors, people with disabilities, clergy, school representative, etc. Topitzhofer said that this should be reexamined. Felgate said that there was a debate
on the Transportation Commission regarding whether or not a youth member would be a voting member or not. Engeldinger said that she likes the idea of making the youth member a voting
member because it teaches them more about responsibility and involvement. Thompson said that the Arts Commission likes the idea of a youth member and suggested that they be recruited
from the art program at the high school. Cintron de Nunez agreed that youth members should be voting members. Felgate said that the language in the code said that the youth membership
would just be for the school year; Thompson said that their term of service is listed as September through August. Topitzhofer asked if the CSC should appoint one or up to two youth
members; he said that this would be just for our bylaws. Bornholdt said that appointing two members would allow for absences if the members are busy with other things. The group agreed
that up to two voting members should be appointed. Topitzhofer asked if the specific language listing different groups should still be listed; Bornholdt and Thompson said that the language
could state that all applicants of all different groups will be considered equally and the CSC will always strive for diversity of members. Topitzhofer asked if any language should
be included about a minimum number of meetings each year. Bornholdt and Engeldinger agreed that a member should notify staff or the chair if they will be absent. Topitzhofer said that
the Council did not want an automatic dismissal of members after a number of absences, but would prefer to review attendance reports at the end of each year. Topitzhofer asked how the
group feels about 11 members; he asked how many are on the Transportation Commission. Felgate said that it’s nine. Engeldinger said that a larger commission would allow for more absences.
Bornholdt said that a larger membership is great to have at community events. Topitzhofer said that, in 2013, the CSC adopted Sturgis Parliamentary Procedure, which states a quorum
as a simple majority and that group can decide questions.
Annual New Commission Member Orientation: Bornholdt said that, for the past few years, the City Attorney has presented an orientation meeting for new commission members. Bornholdt
said that all members are welcome to go; Thompson said that she attended after being on the CSC for a while and it was very informative.
Monroe Park Storm Water Project Update: Topitzhofer reported that, using feedback from the neighborhood meetings, a plan has been presented for the park following the installation of
the storm drainage pipe. He said that there will be an improved, ADA-compliant bituminous path will be installed, the soccer field will be improved with crowning in the middle for better
drainage, some plantings to minimize invasive species, and all new solar-powered LED security lighting throughout the park. Topitzhofer said that the lights will keep the park well-lit,
but will not project into surrounding homes. Felgate asked if the LED lighting could change colors for aesthetics or if the light wiring could interact with a communications network
for security, etc. Jabs said that these will be great improvements without changing the existing usage of the parks.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Felgate provided the report; the group has been discussing the 66th Street Project.
Water Management Subcommittee: Felgate reported on this new group that serves the watershed districts of Richfield and Bloomington. He said that there will be an annual report prepared
soon and the group will dissolve.
Band Shell Taskforce: Topitzhofer reported that a Council study session was held to discuss how to proceed. He said the bids came in too high, so the group identified ways to lower
costs: move the band shell closer to the Arena for more stable soil, use a construction manager instead of a general contractor, and reduce the proposed size of the band shell from 45’
to 40’ wide. He said that the Friends of the Band Shell, a non-profit group, is committing $100,000 to the project. He also reported that a memorial garden in honor of former Council
Member Gertrude Ulrich would be incorporated into the project with a donation of $10k from the Ulrich Family. Engeldinger asked if these plans would involve another question or hearing
before the Council. Topitzhofer said that the reworked plans would require another plan review public hearing with the Planning Commission.
Planning Commission: Engeldinger provided the report.
Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. She said that membership is way down and some events may have to be on hold because of the lack of members to support such events.<
Friendship City Commission: Topitzhofer reported that this group did not have a staff liaison, but now has been assigned to this group, so he will provide reports to the CSC.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular February Meeting
Tuesday, February 16, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by consensus at 9:04 pm.
January 19, 2016