2020-02 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Stephanie Nwaudo, Art Felgate, Lisa Rudolph, David Benson, Mejbah Ahmed, Kevin Wendt, Heather MacDonald
STAFF: John Evans, Amy Markle, Chris Link
ABSENT
CSC: Anne Flake, Dan Smieja, Joseph Miller
Call to OrderIntroductions
Chair Rudolph called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Members introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes
Wendt moved, seconded by Benson, to approve the minutes of the November 2019 and January 2020 meetings. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Recreation Services Director Markle reported on the following:
New staff: Jessica Anderson (Recreation Supervisor), Paul Smithson (Nature Center Manager)
Vacancies: Recreation Supervisor (formerly filled by Nick Thompson) and Senior Office Assistant (Deb Marcus)
Wood Lake Boardwalk Reconstruction Began
Efforts at legislature for bonding funds for a new Nature Center building
Arena Refrigeration Project will begin in the spring
Preparing for summer projects: playground replacements at Taft, Washington, and Madison Parks
Sustainability Commission starting soon
Discussion Items
2019 Accomplishments/2020 Goals
Markle reviewed the projects completed in 2019
Nicollet/Jefferson/Taft Parks Playground Replacement
Community Band Shell
Revised Event Permit Application
Round-Up Program: $5,000 for Wood Lake bus scholarship, $20,000 for inclusive playground project
Arena Refrigeration Project Contract Award
Markle reviewed projects slated for 2020
Dog Park
New Playground Equipment at Madison, Washington, and Taft (a second playlot)
Arena Refrigeration Upgrade
Inclusive Playground Update
Markle said that the project is designed to be welcoming for people of all abilities and sensitivities. She said that the estimated project cost is $700,000. $180,000 is allocated from
liquor store funds, $20,000 from liquor store round-up funds, $300,000 from a Hennepin County grant. For the remaining $200,000, staff has reached out to businesses soliciting donations.
Action Items
Election of Chair and Vice Chair/Appointment of Liaisons
Rudolph said that she would be willing to serve again. Felgate moved to nominate Rudolph as Chair, seconded by Wendt. Approved, ayes all. Felgate moved, seconded by MacDonald, to nominate
Wendt as Vice Chair. Approved, ayes all.
Appointments: Sustainability: MacDonald, Arts: Felgate, Planning: Benson, Transportation: Wendt, FOWL: Markle, Friendship: Nwaudo
Dog Park Location
Markle said that funds were allocated in the 2019 capital improvement budget to construct a dog park, but the location had not been chosen at the time. She said that Richfield, being
fully built out, made identifying a viable location challenging. She said that staff and Council members have toured the parks and discussed the viability of different locations. She
said that Taft and Donaldson had been considered, but there were issues at Taft regarding stormwater drainage and buffer zones necessary around playground areas, while Donaldson had
issues with close proximity to residences, lack of nearby off-street parking, and current full usage at Donaldson. She said that staff identified an area of Roosevelt Park that is currently
under-utilized hockey rinks (and there are hockey rinks nearby at Augsburg). She said that the park also has lighting, water supply, electricity, a parking lot, good accessibility and
visibility, and could be easily fenced around the perimeter. She said that these existing utilities and amenities, as well as the in-house work that Public Works can perform, will conserve
funds considerably (with the total budget of $80,000). Felgate noted that the location is in close proximity to a high-density area and walkable for these residents. Markle said that
she met with Metro Transit recently, who has a preliminary plan to build a larger bus stop at the corner of Portland Avenue and 77th Street. Link said that the scope of the bus stop
and the intersection is very preliminary and depends on work planned for 494 and the 77th Street Underpass project at Cedar Avenue. Markle said that the area she has identified as a
possible bus stop is the largest possible area they would need. Markle said that the area is roughly 1.7 acres. Markle said that Public Safety has been involved and want to revise
the City Code to address dog licensing, off-leash law wording, etc. Markle said that the goal would be to complete the facility this year. Wendt moved, seconded by Felgate, to recommend
Council approval of Roosevelt Park as the location for the off-leash dog park area. Rudolph asked about additional screening and plantings at a later date; Link said that those kinds
of plantings could definitely be done at a later date. Benson asked if the nearest neighbor would be impacted; Rudolph said that she has complained about the hockey rink, but not about
the temporary dog park this summer.
Committee Reports
Friends of Wood Lake: Markle Arts Commission: Markle Friendship City Commission: Markle <Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Markle
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular March Meeting: <Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave).
Adjournment: < Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
February 18, 2020