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2016-04 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, April 19, 2016, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave) PRESENT CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, Carolyn Engeldinger, Emma Nollenberger, Crystal Brakke, Joannette Cintron de Nunez, Michele Thompson STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link < PLAN COM: Rick Jabs COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia ABSENT CSC <Lisa Rudolph Call to Order/Minutes/Agenda Chair Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Engeldinger moved, seconded by Felgate, to approve the minutes of the regular March meeting. Approved, ayes all. <Engeldinger moved, seconded by Felgate, to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Approved, ayes all. Other Thompson reported that a group of residents is collecting signatures on a petition in support of implementing a curbside cleanup in Richfield and the group plans to bring it to the Community Services Commission when they have 500 signatures. Topitzhofer said that it may relate to our monitoring of the organized garbage hauling efforts in Bloomington and the pending lawsuit against Bloomington that should be ruled this summer. Thompson said that they look at this effort as separate from the organized hauling efforts. Bornholdt said that it is a very expensive program in Bloomington, especially if it was not negotiated as part of an organized hauling agreement. Garcia recalled a program that Richfield had years ago where people would bring garbage to a site themselves. <Bornholdt said that, even though the group sees the effort as separate from the organized hauling efforts, the CSC may want to wait until the organized hauling lawsuit is resolved so we have a full picture of what is even possible. Topitzhofer said that he could prepare a summary for next month of what has been discussed so far and have a timeline of where we are with organized hauling and how it may relate to a curbside cleanup. Garcia agreed that we will want to wait for the lawsuit ruling to have a complete picture of our options. Staff Reports Recreation Services WCCO Tribute to Military Veterans: Topitzhofer reported on a fabric panel with signatures from people collected at Penn Fest in a show of support for military personnel. He said that WCCO included this panel with 242 other panels to make a giant flag. He said that our panel has been returned to us to be displayed, possibly at Richfield Municipal Center. Vets Park Boardwalk: Topitzhofer and Public Works Superintendent Link reported that the floats have all been replaced. Action Items Appoint Liaison to the Friends of Wood Lake Board: Engeldinger volunteered to by the liaison to the FOWL Board. Discussion Items Emerald Ash Borer: Public Works Superintendent Link reported that Emerald Ash Borer has been sighted on the 7600 block of Elliot Avenue. He reported that there were 3,000 boulevard ash trees; with removals and replantings, Richfield is down to under 1,000. He said that all of the trees in that immediate area have been treated and should ward off infection for a few more years, but there will be areas that will be gradually thinned and replaced with a more diverse tree stock. He said that there are time restraints within the year that are observed to prevent further spreading. He said that another 10,000 ash trees are on private property and, as they are infected, become a safety issue with falling branches. He said that the City can offer inspection services, but the City Forester may be overwhelmed with requests; the City is planning an open house in May. He asked the CSC how they felt about hiring private contractors for diagnosis of Emerald Ash Borer since staff will likely be overwhelmed. Felgate asked if diagnosis can be done with a photo; Link said that it depends on the quality of the photo and what area is photographed; he said that there may be a way to improve the website and methods of communicating with residents along that line. Engeldinger asked what the outlook is for ash trees. Link said that it has been planned all along to eventually lose and replace all of the ash trees in Richfield. He said that the injection treatments bought time, but it was understood that they would all eventually be infected. He said that it will probably follow the same course as Dutch Elm followed, which is almost complete loss of that species. He said that the sooner removals are done, the longer a replacement tree has to grow up in its place. He said that there will be some public information efforts, but the amount of time staff can devote to each tree may become unmanageable. Engeldinger asked if residents are compelled to remove an infected ash tree. Link said that the City can mandate its removal if it has become hazardous, at the property owner’s expense (with the option to have the amount assessed on property taxes). Link said that the outside inspectors would not charge residents or the City for the inspections. Felgate asked if there are other options. Link said that the only other option might be backlogged inspection requests. Link said that the only concern about outsourcing it is probably a pride issue and not being able to provide the service in-house. He said that we would lean on the contractors for the trees on private property only. Felgate said that it seems like a good line: having staff handle boulevard inspections. Thompson said that she would appreciate being given the option of an inspector or waiting for the City. Link said that, depending on the street, the boulevard is typically eight to ten feet back from the curb. No CSC members expressed objection to using an outside contractor for the diagnostic services for trees on private property. Shared Capital Programs with Three Rivers Park District: Topitzhofer said that Three Rivers Park District had approached the CSC in July of 2015, expressing an interest in working with Richfield to create pocket parks and destination recreation areas, to better support an older inner-ring community like Richfield and cater to populations that may currently be underserved. He reported that Recreation Services staff identified some program and facility areas that may compliment our current offerings. He said that staff suggested a bike safety program, fishing programs at Taft Park, which syncs well with the regional trail efforts, the improvements already made at Taft, like the new pier and casting platforms, and fishing efforts with the DNR. He said that TRPD expressed interest in kayaking and canoeing lessons for kids at Taft Lake. He said that staff proposed some type of grand opening event when some regional bike trail segments are linked, like Nine Mile Creek. He said that TRPD has interest in possibly partnering on the building of a park shelter at Taft Park, a dispensing system for canoes and kayaks where you reserve and rent the boats online and use them on-site. He said that Roosevelt Park interested them to possibly expand the west end of the park for soccer fields and a bike trail kiosk to welcome people from the trail. Felgate said that all of the ideas sounded favorable. Topitzhofer asked what people thought of investing so much in the Taft Park/Lake area. Bornholdt asked what our liabilities would be at these events and with the usage of equipment like kayaks and canoes. Topitzhofer said that the City would have umbrella coverage, but we would post signage requiring personal floatation devices. He said that an ordinance change to allow boating on Taft Park would address that type of signage. He said that many communities already offer water activities without direct supervision; he said that Taft would not allow swimming. Felgate asked if they would have liability during a boating safety program; Topitzhofer said that they would have liability coverage during a program presented by them and they have much experience with aquatic programs. Topitzhofer said that there would be public input efforts to get people’s feedback and ideas about this partnership. Engeldinger asked if most of the funds would come from TRPD. Topitzhofer said that the initial capital funds would, although there may be related expenses that we would incur. <Topitzhofer said that they are working with only other city on this initiative, Brooklyn Center, and we have developed a great relationship with them through the work on the bike trail section. Committee Reports Friends of Wood Lake: Topitzhofer invited people to the Friends of Wood Lake Fundraising Dinner on Friday, April 29. Planning Commission: Cintron de Nunez provided the report. <Arts Commission: Bornholdt read Rudolph’s written report. <Friendship City Commission: Topitzhofer reported that they had a successful trip to Heredia, Costa Rica. Eleven people went and came to the Council with a report of the trip. Other Engeldinger asked about park signage at Garfield. Topitzhofer said that the group will be shown options for new park signs to include the new City logo. He said that Garfield and Heredia will be the first two to be replaced. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular May Meeting: Tuesday, May 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave) Adjournment <Engeldinger moved, seconded by Thompson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:06 pm. April 19, 2016