2022-10 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Richfield Municipal Center
PRESENT
CSC: Tessa Johanson, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Stephanie Nwaudo, Meredith Bruzek
CITY STAFF: Amy Markle (Recreation Director), John Evans (Secretary), Kris Weiby (Facilities Mgr) COUNCIL: Ben Whalen
ABSENT
CSC: Mike Devane, Brooke Nelson, Jenna Hanson, David Benson, Ben Marx OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board)
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:07.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Facilities Manager Weiby reported:
The City will receive ARPA funds that will allow for the construction of a splash pad facility that will provide the public with a place to keep cool for free. There will be a public
engagement process prior to soliciting proposals.
The Minnesota Whitecaps professional women’s hockey team is moving to the Richfield Ice Arena. Arena staff is remodeling and getting things ready for the Whitecaps. The first home stand
is November 18.
Fall events are in full swing: Half-Haunted Halloween at Wood Lake on Oct 22, Friends of Wood Lake Dinner on Oct 28, Fall Boutique on Oct 29.
Farmers Market: last outdoor market of the season was October 15. Great attendance. Indoor market starts Nov 19 at Vets Park building.
Council worksession coming up about community gardens; pilot location will be at Vets Park in 2023, behind the Arena. Pollinator garden will be next to the vegetable garden.
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. She said that letters of support are being gathered from different organizations, local elected officials, and others. She said
that the goal will be to construct the expansion in September 2023.
Bike Park Project
Markle reported that Three Rivers Park District has committed half of the funding for the project ($100k) 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 and Richfield Safe Routes to School, are excited about the facility and the accessible location, which is on a bike path
corridor.
Friendship City Commission
Markle said that a proposal will be going to Council in October to rescind their status as an advisory board to the Council and sunset this role, transitioning to more of an informal
committee. She said that staff has talked with the commission members, who agree that there is not any pending official business and they could continue to meet as a committee.
Local Sales Tax
Markle said that Richfield staff will prepare a report detailing the projects that would benefit from a sales tax and the terms of such a tax. She said that staff will approach the Council
in December and the MN Legislature in January.
Committee Reports
FOWL: Bruzek / Arts: Markle / HAVM: Nwaudo / Sustainability: Hanson (submitted in writing) / Transportation: Whalen
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular November Meeting: Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:10 pm.
October 18, 2022