2016-02 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Michele Thompson, Lisa Rudolph, Emma Nollenberger
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans < </wCOUNCIL: Edwina Garcia </w: <PLAN COM: Rick Jabs
ABSENT
CSC: Crystal Brakke, Carolyn Engeldinger
Call to Order
Chair Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Felgate moved, seconded by Thompson, to approve the minutes of the regular January 19 meeting. Approved, ayes all.
New Members
Topitzhofer introduced new members Emma Nollenberger and Lisa Rudolph.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
New Commission Member Orientation: All commission members are welcome to attend. Presented by the City Attorney.
Taft Ice Fishing Bowl: Held on Saturday, February 6. 200-300 kids in attendance.<
Action Items
Elect Chair & Vice Chair
Bornholdt opened nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Felgate moved to nominate Bornholdt as Chair, seconded by Cintron de Nunez. Approved, ayes all. <Felgate moved to nominate Thompson
as Vice Chair, seconded by Cintron de Nunez. Approved, ayes all.
Liaison Appointments
Bornholdt invited members to volunteer for liaison appointment positions. Transportation: Felgate, Planning: Cintron de Nunez, Arts: Rudolph. Bornholdt said that the FOWL and Friendship
liaisons can be appointed at a future date.
Community Services Commission Bylaws Amendment
Topitzhofer outlined the key amendments, including the appointment of up to two youth members, an addition of language outlining the purpose of the CSC to encompass Public Works issues
as well as parks issues, added reference to ex-officio members (Planning Commission and Council liaisons). He said that these changes will be added to other amendments to Section 305
of the City Code. Felgate asked if youth members will be eligible to be liaisons to other groups. Bornholdt said that he assumed that a youth member would have all of the privileges
of a regular member. Nollenberger agreed that it would make sense for a youth member to act as a liaison to other groups. Felgate moved, seconded by Thompson, to rescind the original
adopted CSC bylaws and approve the attached bylaws to be incorporated into an amendment to the City Code for Council approval. Approved, ayes all.
Discussion Items
Capital Improvement Budget
Topitzhofer outlined the recommended items for the 2017-2020 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. He noted that the refrigeration system at the Ice Arena has to be upgraded by law, which
dominates the capital improvement plan for the next five years, however, the Finance Manager and Topitzhofer are working on identifying other funding sources for the Arena upgrades,
which would free up funds in future years. Topitzhofer said that, if these funds were to be freed up, one item that may be added in to the plan is a zip line at the Outdoor Pool. Felgate
asked if the next month’s report will include news about the alternate source of funding for the Arena improvements. Topitzhofer said that the next report would include that information.
Topitzhofer said that, in 2018, the City’s Comprehensive Plan will be revised, which will include an updating of the Parks Master Plan. He said that this process will entail a comprehensive
look at the needs of all of the parks and infrastructure, as well as any additional options for funding, like a bonding referendum, if the needs warrant those additional funding sources.
Topitzhofer said that, at one point, there was talk of allocating dedicated funds to public art in the community, but funding sources were scarce. Topitzhofer said that another item
that will be added back into the plan with more available funds will be new park signage. Rudolph said that she has heard mention of interest in disc golf. Topitzhofer said that a
disc golf course would be the type of project to be considered during the Parks Master Plan process. Topitzhofer said that the capital improvement plan is an ever-changing, ever-evolving
plan. Bornholdt said that items often come up relating to safety that are added to the plan.
Donaldson Park Play Lot
Topitzhofer said that, while visiting the parks with the Public Works Superintendent, he came across a small playlot at the north end of Donaldson at the south end of Knox Avenue. He
said that this lot is for toddlers and uses pea rock as bedding. He said that this isn’t an urgent issue or safety-related, but the lot may not have great value anymore. He said that,
in 1994, play equipment was installed to the west of the park shelter in the middle of the park, including a toddler lot, so this lot, built in 1973, may be redundant. He said that
it could be kept the way it is, but it could also be restored as green space and incorporated into this passive-play, wooded and grassy area. Bornholdt said that some younger siblings
would play there when their older siblings were playing organized sports nearby. Rudolph said that, during soccer games, she would see most kids use the larger play lot by the park
shelter. Jabs asked if this would be a good item to consider for a community online survey. Cintron de Nunez suggested grills or picnic tables. Nollenberger said that there may be
a couple of picnic tables near there. Topitzhofer suggested that a Richfield Connect survey should maybe offer options for the space, like green space, picnic area, play area, or other
uses. Topitzhofer said that it may be a question to raise in the spring, when the snow is gone and people can get out there and check it out. Nollenberger said that she never saw anybody
using that play lot when she walked by it every day for three years. Rudolph said that another option may be to leave it alone until the Parks Master Plan is revised.<
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Felgate reported that the group talked about pedestrian trails and access on Portland Avenue and over Crosstown into Minneapolis and efforts to bridge this
gap in bike and pedestrian access. He said that the 77<th Street underpass under Cedar Avenue may be another bike corridor. He said that there may be opportunities for Richfield to
connect with the numerous bike-friendly corridors throughout Minneapolis. Topitzhofer noted that the operators of Malt-T-Melt Mini Golf Course rents bikes at the Minneapolis Lakes,
as well, so that may facilitate connection, as well.
Band Shell Taskforce: Topitzhofer reported that soil borings were performed just to the west of the proposed band shell site and the soil was much more viable for construction than the
original proposed site. He said that a redesign of the plans using this site may result in bids that are within the project budget. He said that cost estimates are being done pro bono.<
Planning Commission: Jabs reported. <Arts Commission: Thompson reported. <
Friendship City Commission: Topitzhofer said that this group has switched liaison departments from the Executive Department to the Recreation Services Department. He said this group
has been involved with Richfield’s friendship city, Heredia, Costa Rica, for several years. He said that group members are planning a trip to Heredia in the spring.
Other
Bornholdt said that former Recreation Manager, Frank White, has published a book about the Negro Baseball Leagues.
Thompson distributed articles from the Star Tribune regarding organized garbage hauling efforts in Bloomington for the group to consider while Richfield monitors the progress of Bloomington’s
organized hauling initiatives and pending law suit. Another article talks about the City of Minneapolis contracting with Eureka Recycling to perform their recycling duties.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular March Meeting
Tuesday, March 15, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment
Rudolph moved, seconded by Thompson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm.
February 16, 2016