2023-03 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Richfield Municipal Center (Heredia Room)
PRESENT
CSC: Tessa Johanson, Brooke Nelson, Meredith Bruzek, Mike Devane, Jenna Hanson, Jessica Johnson-Kreps, Adam Kerekes, BJ Skoog, Hayley Tompkins, David Vrieze Daniels
STAFF: Amy Markle (Recreation Director), Karl Huemiller (Recreation Manager), John Evans (Secretary)
ABSENT
COUNCIL: Ben Whalen <OTHERS: Crystal Brakke (school board)
Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:02. Members/staff introduced. Markle reviewed the role of the CSC and welcomed new members.
Nelson moved, seconded by Devane, to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting. Approved.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Director Markle reported:
Approaching the MN Legislature about introducing a local sales tax in Richfield. The three projects it would include: Wood Lake Nature Center, Veterans Park/Arena Redevelopment, and
a new community center.
Staff testified on behalf of the Wood Lake Nature Center building project in the Minnesota Bonding Bill.
The MN Whitecaps hockey team has made the playoffs.
Recreation staff is working hard to attract applicants for summer staff, hoping enough will be recruited to keep the Outdoor Pool at full hours and the Playground Program at full capacity.
Adult winter sports are wrapping up: Dodgeball and Basketball
Outdoor skating and voyageur curling saw great numbers this winter.
New playgrounds will be built at Sheridan and Monroe Parks (2022 capital budget).
Recreation Department will be working on our mission, vision, and values statements.
Approved for a Hennepin County grant for the Skate Park Expansion that will add more features for beginner skateboarders.
Bike park project at Taft still on track for July construction.
Youth Dance had dress rehearsals and will hold their year-end recital on April 1.
Spring/Summer Recreation Brochure went out a few weeks ago and registration opened Monday, March 13.
A youth sports storage building at Donaldson Park has suffered water damage and needs to be removed. Staff will propose some kind of replacement.
Discussion Items
Richfield 4th of July Committee
Markle said that the Red, White, and Blue Days Committee has had a member being investigated for mishandling of funds. She said that the group is continuing to meet and will likely have
another scaled-down 4th of July event in 2023. She said they’ll likely rebrand and re-emerge in 2024 with a more typical, full-scope celebration.
Community Partnership Guidelines
Huemiller presented a draft of guidelines to outline Richfield’s relationships with non-profit community groups when partnering to present events and programs, apply for grants, etc.
Hanson asked about the consequences if a group doesn’t follow the guidelines; Huemiller said that it wouldn’t have legal ramifications, but the City could withdraw from a partnership
in that situation.
Capital Improvement Plan
Markle said that staff will be preparing the plan for the CSC to consider at the April meeting.
Action Items
Election of Chair and Vice Chair/Appointment of Liaisons
Johanson outlined the role of the Chair. Hanson moved, seconded by Devane, to nominate Johanson as Chair. Bruzek moved, seconded by Johnson-Kreps, to nominate Hanson as Vice Chair. No
objections.
2023 LIAISONS
Planning: Kerekes, Arts: Skoog, Transportation: Devane, Friends of Wood Lake: Bruzek, Sustainability: Vrieze Daniels.
Committee Reports
TRANSPORTATION: Devane / FOWL: Bruzek / ARTS: Huemiller / SUSTAINABILITY: Hanson
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Regular April Meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:58 pm.
March 21, 2023