2017-01 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Reed Bornholdt, Art Felgate, , Michele Thompson, Emma Nollenberger, Dan Smieja, Danielle Indovino Cawley, Carolyn Engeldinger </wCOUNCIL: Edwina Garcia
STAFF: Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Charlie O’Brien
ABSENT
CSC: Anne Basso, Lisa Rudolph, Joannette Cintrón de Núñez </SCHOOL BOARD: Crystal Brakke </w:PLAN COM: Rick Jabs
Call to Order
Chair Bornholdt called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the November 2016 regular meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
New Employee: Program Supervisor Alyssa Kellas, replacing Cheryl Dragotis, who retired after 35 years.
Wood Lake New Year’s Eve Event: Well-attended (1,100)
Ice Arena New Year’s Eve Event: Attendance was down a bit.<
Outdoor Skating: Rinks and warming houses open. Ice is in good shape, not great.<
Ice Arena Refrigeration Project: Replacing the direct refrigeration system with an indirect system, to comply with law<. <Received Mighty Ducks Grant for this year to begin the project.
Bandshell Bids: Specs are written and published; bids will be opened in February.<
Action Items
Stavros Facility Dedication Proposal
Topitzhofer said that former Richfield resident Todd Dexter approached staff with an application to have benches and a sign installed at the Monroe Park sledding hill, dedicating the
area to his childhood friend and former Richfield resident, Nicole Stavros. Topitzhofer said that the proposal complies with the City’s policy, adopted in 2008 by the Council, to allow
a dedication marker, but not the renaming of a facility. <Topitzhofer said that Dexter’s proposal is to install three benches with no backs, and a plaque dedicating the sledding hill
in her memory. Bornholdt asked if staff would be involved. Topitzhofer said that Public Works staff would be involved to ensure that it complies with maintenance and safety needs.
He said that the proposal would go to City Council for final approval. Smieja asked how this differs from a regular bench installation. Topitzhofer said that we have a number of donated
benches each year, but this is a specific dedication of a park facility. Felgate said that the approach is commendable, but he wondered why three benches are being proposed. Topitzhofer
said that he feels that Dexter wants to make it special. Felgate wondered if three benches was testing the boundaries of the policy. Engeldinger said that, since they would be near
the walking path, they would be a welcomed addition. Bornholdt asked if it’s a frequently-used sledding hill. Cawley said that installing three benches creates more of a warming house
type of area that would make more sense with sledding. Smieja said that three plaques would be redundant. Thompson suggested alternate wording from one sign to another. Cawley wondered
if the snow would cover the benches in the winter. Engeldinger likes the uniqueness and warmth of the project; she felt that there should probably be just one sign. Bornholdt liked
the idea of using alternate wording on multiple signs. Felgate said that he feels that it detracts from the message having three benches with signs; he asked if the policy allows for
multiple benches to be installed. Topitzhofer said that approval of all three may set a precedent. Felgate said that, in cases like that, there may not be space for three benches.
Thompson suggested a plaque on just the center bench. Smieja feels that the signs are redundant with the person’s name three times and may consider other wording on the other two benches.
Cawley liked the look of the sign and having three of them. Topitzhofer asked the group if they wanted to see a revised design or if the proposal could be forwarded to the Council.
Thompson suggested that Stavros’ name on just one bigger sign with alternate wording on the other two. Topitzhofer said that it would probably be a two-sided sign. Felgate thought
that these ideas could be offered as suggestions. Topitzhofer said that he will require Dexter to notify the family first. Thompson suggested that the policy include a requirement
to inform the family. Thompson moved, seconded by Felgate, to recommend Council approval of the proposal with the suggested changes (one sign with a name, two-sided, notify family).
Approved, ayes all. <
Final Park Entrance Sign Approval
Topitzhofer presented the final design, with the suggested change of using white lettering. Felgate moved, seconded by Nollenberger, to approve the final sign design. Approved, ayes
all.
Trapping Ordinance
Code Compliance Officer O’Brien said that there had been inquiries about trapping animals in Richfield and the City’s regulations. He said that staff discovered that trapping wasn’t
explicitly addressed, so they researched wording from other public entities and made revisions to the City Code, prohibiting the trapping of animals within the City of Richfield, unless
by authorized personnel for the purpose of controlling overpopulation and preventing damage to natural areas or on private property, with permission from the owner, for the same reasons
or live trapping for release within a day. He said that Richfield animal control primarily deals with domestic animal control. Smieja mentioned that coyotes have been seen in Richfield;
O’Brien said that they have been sighted in Richfield for decades and their activity and prevalence tends to go up and down over time and they will always be there; it would be ineffective
to reduce their numbers, as more would move in, but there are ways to discourage them from coming onto your property. Topitzhofer said that having traps in a park is too dangerous for
visitors. O’Brien said that this would prohibit trapping for the purpose of selling pelts or just recreationally. Engeldinger said that it’s a positive thing to see wildlife around.
Engeldinger moved, seconded by Felgate, to recommend Council approval of the ordinance amendment. Approved, ayes all.
Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment
The group reviewed the application for new appointee Amy Krueger. Thompson moved, seconded by <Felgate, to approve Amy Krueger to the Friends of Wood Lake Board. Approved, ayes all.
Committee Reports
Transportation Commission: Felgate provided the report.
Friends of Wood Lake: Engeldinger provided the report. Garcia said that the group has seen new energetic members with great initiatives to approach businesses for fundraising.<
Friendship City Commission: Topitzhofer reported that the new statue of a young soccer player has arrived from Heredia; the group will meet at the Garage to look at the statue, which
will be installed at Heredia Park in the spring.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular February Meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment
Thompson moved, seconded by Bornholdt, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:15.
January 17, 2017