2023-12 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Richfield Municipal Center
PRESENT
CSC:Adam Kerekes, BJ Skoog, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Tessa Johanson
STAFF: Karl Huemiller (Recreation Director), John Evans (Secretary)
ABSENT
CSC: Hayley Tompkins, Brooke Nelson, Jenna Hanson, David Vrieze Daniels, Mike Devane, Meredith Bruzek <OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board) <COUNCIL: Ben Whalen
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Chair Johanson called the meeting to order at 7:03.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Huemiller provided the staff update, including
Personnel updates: Jeremy Johnson, new Recreation Supervisor, and Karl’s promotion to Recreation Services Director
Fall Boutique was well-attended
Wood Lake’s Half-Haunted Halloween saw 1,500.
Holiday Lights Parade and Holiday Lights Contest
Winter/Spring Brochure is out
Winter program registration opened December 18. Classes are doing well; Adult Basketball League is full.
Candlelight and Ice on December 31 has 1,000 registrants. New Year’s Day Skating Party is scheduled at the Arena.
Preparing for the Local Sales Tax referendum campaign.
Winter Farmers Market (indoor) has been well-attended
Discussion Items
Wood Lake Nature Center Status
Huemiller reported that the contract with HGA is being finalized for architectural services after conducting interviews with three firms. The local sales tax referendum information and
engagement campaign will begin in January. Huemiller provided an outline of how the park would remain open during construction with the offices operating out of the Community Center.
Augsburg Park Grooming
Huemiller reported that a cross-country ski trail will be groomed through Augsburg Park for the Richfield High School Cross-Country Ski Team; RHS would provide the grooming services
through an agreement with the City.
Roosevelt Park Cell Phone Tower
Huemiller reported that Richfield was approached by a cell service company about installing a cell antenna tower at Roosevelt Park. He said that the agreement would require that the
tower would not be inconsistent with the character of the park. He said that the lease would produce $30k to $50k in revenue each year. Huemiller asked the group if they had any hesitations.
He said that the revenue is a fairly standard amount and would be a 20- to 30-year contract, so that would provide significant capital revenue. Johnson-Kreps said that with its proximity
to 494, it’s not inconsistent with the high-traffic area and the appearance could be mitigated with plantings and screening. Skoog said that the southeast corner by the parking lot would
be the best place for it. He said that it would be similar to the tower behind the municipal center. Johanson asked how tall the screening would be; Huemiller said it would provide screening
about 20 feet up. Huemiller encouraged the group to check out the tower by the Municipal Center and share their thoughts at subsequent meetings.
Committee Reports
PLANNING: Kerekes / ARTS: Skoog
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular January Meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:42 pm.
December 19, 2023