2024-10 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave)
PRESENT
CSC: Adam Kerekes, David Vrieze Daniels, Kris Anderson, BJ Skoog, Jim Reilly, Tessa Johanson, Hayley Tompkins
STAFF: Karl Huemiller (Recreation Director), John Evans (Analyst/Recording Secretary)
ABSENT
CSC: Grace Bronken, Jeff Klein, Jessica Johnson Kreps, Mike Devane
CALL TO ORDER/COMMENTS
Chair Johanson called the meeting to order at 7:04.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tompkins moved, seconded by Skoog, to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting. Approved.
STAFF REPORTS
Recreation Services
Director Huemiller reported on the following:
Staff is continuing with the information sessions about the local sales tax referendum. Staff has brought materials to different community events, senior housing facilities, and has
held open houses and tours.
Staff has been meeting with architects about possibilities for a new building at Donaldson Park.
Digging will begin for the construction of the splash pad, by the existing Richfield Pool.
Shade structure will be built this fall in front of the Richfield Band Shell.
Programming is doing well with great registration numbers. Staff is working on redesigning and freshening the look of the Recreation Programs brochure.
The Paddles and Stones fundraiser for Wood Lake Nature Center was cancelled due to low enrollment. Pickleball is all set up on the dry floor in the Arena, so it will be put to other
uses.
Planning is underway to accommodate Wood Lake staff during the building project. Wood Lake programming will take place at the Community Center and in the parks.
Revised Wood Lake building plans were shared with the group.
The Madison Park building will be available for rent over the winter, which is a new offering for the department.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Boulevard Planting Permit Process
Huemiller reviewed the City’s ordinance regarding setting plantings back from the street by 8—10 feet with the following points:
-There is currently a permit process for planting in that space, primarily because Public Works staff wants to review permanent structures or trees with roots that may interfere with
buried utilities, obstruct visibility on corners, prevent winter snow storage or interfere with vehicle doors being opened.
- As par of the review, staff inform residents that they will not be reimbursed for anything damaged in the right of way if construction occurs it the right of way.
Anderson said that she brought this issue to the group because it’s important for the community to promote native plantings and pollinator health. She said that she understands the need
for a permit, but other cities often reimburse residents for these plantings. She said that the community has many great resources: various garden clubs, etc. and residents could be
provided with lists of native plantings and other recommended plantings. Reilly asked if a permit was required for native plantings in yards: Huemiller said that a permit is required
for that strip within 8—10 feet of the street. Huemiller said that the ordinance also mandates that plants in the boulevard are 8” or shorter. Vrieze Daniels said that this would also
include Little Free Libraries. Tompkins said that people should be encouraged to plant native plants, so maybe shorter native plants could be identified that wouldn’t require a permit.
Anderson said that Minneapolis has a program where they provide grants for pollinator plantings and even issue awards for boulevard plantings. She said that it would be ideal to not
have to pay the permit fee and residents would be provided with guidance about what kind of plantings would not be intrusive. Vrieze Daniels said that since the permit fee does pay for
staff time, maybe other programs could help fund the permit fee somehow. Skoog asked what the formal action would be by the CSC; Huemiller said that it would be a vote to recommend Council
approval of an ordinance update. Anderson said that the Sustainability Commission could also recommend approval. Huemiller said that he will pass the issue on to the Sustainability Commission
to determine their support and any work on new wording for the City Code would need to involve Public Health and Public Works.
ACTION ITEMS
Friends of Wood Lake Member Appointments
Anderson moved, seconded by Skoog, to appoint Amber Lattanzio and William Matthews to a three-year term on the Friends of Wood Lake Board. Approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning: Kerekes; Arts: Skoog, Sustainability: Anderson
OTHER/NEXT MEETING/ADJOURNMENT
Regular November Meeting: Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 pm, Municipal Center
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:56 pm.
October 15, 2024