2019-07 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Kevin Wendt, Carolyn Engeldinger, Lisa Rudolph, Art Felgate, Joannette Cintrón de Núñez, Andy Soto
STAFF: Kris Weiby, John Evans, Bob Baltgalvis, Amy Markle, Chris Link
OTHER: Ron Beran (MN Magicians Co-Owner)
ABSENT
CSC: Anne Flake, Danielle Indovino Cawley, Ava Noack, Joseph Miller, Dan Smieja
PLAN COM: Rick Jabs </COUNCIL: Edwina Garcia SCHOOL BOARD: Crystal Brakke
Call to Order
Rudolph called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Minutes and Agenda: Felgate moved to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting and this evening’s agenda. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Markle reported on the 4th of July Celebration, Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K, Inclusive Playgrounds (Round-Up Program),
Discussion Items
Ice Arena Refrigeration Project
Arena Manager Weiby outlined the need for upgrading the refrigeration system at the Ice Arena to a system that doesn’t use R-22 Freon, which will no longer be manufactured after 2019
and will become very expensive at that point. He summarized the heavy usage that the Arena sees for hockey, curling, and figure skating and the need to keep the Arena running. He said
that the original equipment could malfunction anytime and a leak would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. He said that renovating the rinks will enable them to hold dry-floor
events in the rinks, like craft shows, sports, wine tastings, and more. The new system will also save up to $35,000/year in utilities and chemicals, as well as up to $15,000/year in
maintenance. He estimates the cost of the project as $3.5 million. Felgate said that the project will consume huge chunks of the capital improvement funds and the money may be better
spent on soccer fields. Engeldinger said that Richfield has a rich hockey legacy and this is a necessary investment that will benefit the community for years to come. Rudolph mentioned
that the funds identified are not capital improvement or operating funds. Markle said that about $3.5 million in funding is available from the condemnation of the golf course in 1999,
as well as $500,000 saved up from previous capital improvement budgets. Wendt asked how much we think we can fund of the project other than the golf course condemnation money. Markle
said that $1.5 million can realistically be identified for the project. Wendt says that the rest of the golf course condemnation money should be used for other park facilities around
Richfield.
Veterans Park Trails
Operations Superintendent Link said that the trails at Veterans Park, currently made of asphalt, are in poor shape. He asked for feedback regarding how to configure them, what materials
to use, signage, etc. Engeldinger asked if crushed rock trails are considered accessible to wheels. Link said that the existing asphalt can be ground up and rolled in place. Rudolph
agreed that a paved trail would be most accessible to all types of wheels. Link said that early-season plowing of snow can be difficult with a crushed-rock surface. Markle said that
crushed-rock trails can be disturbed by burrowing animals. Rudolph asked if the ground asphalt could be tried and, if it doesn’t work well, paved later. Link said that Public Works could
try some test sections of trail for grinding and rolling asphalt on some of the inside trails.
Nicollet Park Tennis Court
Operations Superintendent Link reviewed the condition of the tennis court at Nicollet Park, which may require tearing out and reinstalling asphalt at a possible cost of about $90,000.
He asked the group if the tennis courts should all be replaced or possibly scaled back. He said that there could be more green space, more picnic tables, ornamental gardens, and more.
Felgate asked about pollinator gardens. Rudolph suggested a pollinator path around the park. Link said that staff will consider some of these ideas and report back. Wendt suggested some
kind of shade structure and seating.
Action Items
Play Equipment Replacement: Vendor Recommendation
Markle reviewed the scoring process and said that the selection committee chose Northland Recreation as the vendor to replace the equipment at Jefferson, Nicollet, and Taft Parks. She
said that the group scored four proposals based on a number of criteria, particularly the specs outlined in the RFP, based on neighborhood preferences. She said that she called one of
Northland Recreation’s references, the City of Farmington, and they’ve had no problems with the company. Engeldinger moved, seconded, to recommend Council approval of Northland Recreation’s
quote for the replacement of play equipment at Jefferson, Nicollet, and Taft Parks. Approved, ayes all.
Committee Reports
Arts Commission: Markle reported. Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Markle reported. Organics Task Force: Markle reported.
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular August Meeting: <Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave).
Adjournment: < Meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.
July 16, 2019