2022-09 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Richfield Municipal Center
PRESENT
CSC: Mike Devane, Brooke Nelson, Tessa Johanson, Jenna Hanson, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Stephanie Nwaudo
CITY STAFF: Amy Markle (Recreation Director), John Evans (Secretary)
ABSENT
OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board) COUNCIL:</ Ben Whalen
CSC: Meredith Bruzek, Kevin Wendt, David Benson, Ben Marx
Call to Order - Approval of Agenda – Minutes - Other
Meeting called to order at 7:02. Report: Kevin Wendt resigned from CSC, Tessa Johanson became Chair. June 21 regular meeting minutes approved.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services Updates
Recreation Services Director Markle reported on the following:
Pool saw record numbers in 2022.
Arena has seen heavy activity.
Special events have been well-attended: 4th of July Family Day, summer concerts, Penn Fest, Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K.
Farmers Market has seen high attendance (as many as 2,500).
Wood Lake summer camps and Playgrounds are all full.
Friends of Wood Lake Dinner: Oct 22, Community Center Fall Boutique: Oct 29, Half-Haunted Halloween at Wood Lake: Oct 28
Program Supervisor MaryKaye Champa retired after 30 years
Emerald Ash Borer has had a great impact on parks, especially Christian and Donaldson. Tree planting at Donaldson took place on September 15 and will take place at Christian on September
22.
Round Up for Parks at the Richfield Liquor Stores supports purchase of trees through September. In October-December, round up will benefit the purchase of bike medic stretcher trailers.
Wood Lake project was in the bonding bill, but the MN Legislature adjourned without considering the bill.
Unveiling of Mixto mural on Friday, September 23, 6:00 pm.
A splash pad will be built next to the existing pool on the west end; it will be funded with surplus COVID-19 money that was reallocated.
A local option sales tax is being proposed and would fund a number of park improvements. Going to Council, MN Legislature, then has to be approved by referendum.
Discussion Items
Skate Park Expansion Project
Markle said that $90k is budgeted in our capital improvement budget and we will seek a matching grant through Hennepin County to expand the Augsburg Skate Park into the old basketball
court area to provide more area for beginner skaters.
Bike Park Project
Markle reported that Three Rivers Park District has committed funds to the project in addition to City capital funds. She said that the company who will likely do the work met her out
there and they, as well as Three Rivers, are excited about the accessible location, which is on a bike path corridor.
Tennis Court Planning
Markle said that more information will be coming about plans for resurfacing some courts or removing underutilized courts..
Round Up Program
Markle said it will benefit trees at Donaldson through September and bike medic stretcher trailers in October, November, and December.
Community Gardens
Markle said that she and Sustainability Specialist Rachel Lindholm had an open house prior to this evening’s meeting and feedback was good. She said that the Vets garden will be installed
for 2023 and other locations will be discussed for 2024.
Action Items
Special Event Permit Price Increase
Markle said that staff reviewed the fees that Richfield charges for organizations to hold community events like run/walk events, etc. She said that our fees are less than neighboring
communities like Minneapolis and Bloomington and proposes an increase from $250 to $300 for permit and trail fees and $2 to $3 for per-participant fees. The revised special event fee
schedule was approved unanimously.
Friends of Wood Lake Board Appointment
Daniel Bredemus was unanimously appointed to the Friends of Wood Lake Board.
Committee Reports
Transportation: Devane / Arts: Nelson / Sustainability: Hanson / HAVM: Nwaudo
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular October Meeting: Tuesday, October 18, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:17 pm.
September 20, 2022