06-13-2023 WS City Council Agenda W O R K S E S S IO N
R IC H F IE L D MU N IC IPAL C E N TE R, B AR TH O LO ME W R O O M
J U N E 13, 2023
5:30 P M
C all to order
1.S ustainability P roject Updates
2.The discussion of D onaldson P ark improvements.
3.D iscussion of L ocal S ales Tax authorization and referendum planning.
A djournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
STAFF RE P ORT NO. 20
WORK SESSION
6/13/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: Rachel L indholm, S ustainability S pecialist
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
6/5/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
6/7/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Sustainability Project Updates
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Staff continue to work on a variety of sustainability projects across several departments and priority areas.
This portion of the work session covers updates on two specific projects that have been brought before
Council previously and the most recent updates to them. The first project, the A RPA funded municipal energy
efficiency improvements, is a highlighted priority from Climate Action Plan prioritization. The other project,
community garden plots, relates to one of the 6 major goals in the C A P and focuses on equity related
objectives as well.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
None
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
The municipal building energy efficiency improvements continue to progress with staff from the Gov't
Buildings department taking the lead on implementing a City Hall lighting project that will focus mostly on
external building and parking lot lighting. Staff have identified a contractor able to execute this project.
This project will be paid through A RPA funding, and any additional funding remaining will go towards
other building energy improvements.
The Community Garden pilot site at Veterans Park is in full swing! Plots have been fenced and planted.
Staff worked with residents to create and plant two pollinator areas at the northern end of the garden
space. Gardeners are working together to help grow produce for a volunteer-coordinated plot benefitting
V E A P. Many residents have stopped by the garden to ask questions or inquire about how they may
participate.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
Climate Action Plan
Strategic Plan initiatives
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
None
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
None
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
N/A
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
S ustainability P owerpoint P resentation
Sustainability Updates
ARPA – Municipal Building Energy ImprovementsThe municipal building energy efficiency improvementscontinue to progress with staff fromthe Gov't Buildingsdepartment taking the lead on implementing a City Halllighting project that will focus mostly on external buildingand parking lot lighting.Staff have identified a contractor able to execute thisproject.This project will be paid through ARPAfunding, and anyadditional funding remaining will go towards otherbuilding energy improvements.
Community Gardens• The Community Garden pilot site at Veterans Park is in full swing! Plots have been fenced and planted. • Staff worked with residents to create and plant two pollinator areas at the northern end of the garden space. • Gardeners are working together to help grow produce for a volunteer-coordinated plot benefitting VEAP. • Many residents have stopped by the garden to ask questions or inquire about how to participate themselves!
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #2.
STAFF RE P ORT NO. 21
WORK SESSION
6/13/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
6/5/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
6/7/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
The discussion of Donaldson Park improvements.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Donaldson Park buildings were built in 1964 and 1974, and are in great need of reinvestment. The
concessions building that has fallen into serious disrepair, will be demolished this summer. The Recreation
team would like to propose a plan and process that would include community input to design one centrally
located building that would fit as many needs as possible.
The park is incredibly popular across a wide range of user groups and activities. We would like a new
building that would appeal to park guests and be welcoming to all.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
The Recreation Department needs input on the presented process and plan as well as funding
partners outside of the capital investment budget.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
The main Donaldson building (warming house) was first constructed in 1964 as a very basic cinder-
block warming house, with an extensive remodeling done in 1973. The following year, the Babe Ruth
Association built the upper storage/concessions building, also a very basic cinder-block structure. That
building received a new roof and fascia in 1996. Both buildings have roofs that are designed in a way
that have made them prone to leaking.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
None
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
Richfield Baseball, I nc. has used the upper Donaldson Concessions building for decades, and it is an
important aspect to their funding and game experience. W e would like to minimize the number of
seasons that there is no access to a concessions building by incorporating that need into the design of a
new building.
The current building is not up to A D A code, and we would like to design a building that is inclusive and
welcoming to all.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
The following funds are currently designated to the project in the Recreation Capital I nvestment Budget:
2023-$50,000 park maintenance funds to demolish the concession building
2024-$70,000 Donaldson Playground Replacement ($130,000 needed, $60,000
supported through grants and fundraising)
2024-$100,000 Park Building Demolition
2024-$110,000 Building Renovation
(+$190,000 used from reserves to reach $300,000 budgeted to apply for H C F G)
2025- $445,000 Building Renovation
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
Reject or modify the proposal to reinvest in the buildings at Donaldson Park, or plan for reinvestment at a later
time.
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
D onaldson P ark Improvements P resentation P resentation
Donaldson Park ImprovementsAmy Markle, Recreation Services DirectorJune 13, 2023
Overview•Park History and Usage•Overview of Current Challenges•Resident Needs•What’s Possible•Proposed Process•Discussion
Brief History of Donaldson Park•Fun Fact: The park is named after Donaldson’s Department Store, which was located at Southdale Mall for decades (the park was under consideration for the mall site)!
•Convenient Location in west Richfield•The warming house was built in 1964 and had with an extensive remodeling done in 1973. •The following year, the Babe Ruth Association built the upper storage/concessions building, also a very basic cinder-block structure. That building received a new roof and fascia in 1996.
Park Usage•Spring, Summer and Fall Months: playground, baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, pickleball, walking, running, and bicycling.•Winter Months: hockey, pleasure rink, curling, and broomball•Special Events: MICC 5K, Best Buy 5K, various events with Richfield Middle School, Hoop Local Basketball Tournament•Use is from Richfield residents and guests from across the Twin Cities often to play sports
User Groups•A wide variety of groups use Donaldson Park as well as individuals and family groups from the community.•Richfield Baseball•Richfield Football•Richfield Soccer•Men’s Adult League Baseball•Northstar Baseball•Great Lakes Baseball•Holy Angels Baseball•Private basketball rentals•Senior Tennis Club•Holy Angels Tennis•USTA Tennis•CSC Broomball•Josh Phillips Broomball •Minnesota Curling Association•Seven Hills Preparatory Academy•Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC)•Richfield Middle School
Current ChallengesAging buildings with poor roof designs that need major reinvestment•The upper Donaldson Concessions building (memo was previously sent), has been condemned and will be torn down this summer due to structural deficiencies. This is the only concessions stand in the park.•The main warming house building is extremely dated which lends to operational challenges, not up to ADA code, and the roof is leaking.
What’s Possible with ReinvestmentOne building that is designed to fit the needs of the community.•Aesthetically pleasing building•Covered picnic and concessions area•Centrally located concessions that other organizations would have access to•ADA compliant•Bathrooms that are accessible from both inside and outside•Rentable picnic space•Multi-season space•Rentable meeting space•Low maintenance design•Outdoor access to field lights•Smaller garage space for Public Works equipment•Small storage area for winter season equipment
Proposed ProcessThe following process is an example of steps that could guide staff with community to make reinvestments at Donaldson Park:•Spring/Summer 2023: Staff understand challenges (demo-survey, meetings with user-groups, staff, and residents).•Summer 2023: Inform and discuss with Council and Community Services Commission•Summer 2023: Demo concessions building•Summer 2023: Determine community needs through engagement•Fall 2023: Design building to fit needs•Summer/Fall 2024: Donaldson Playground Reconstruction•Fall/Winter 2024: Develop project budget•Spring 2025: Demo current building•Summer 2025: Construction of new building contingent on funding
Budget NotesThe following funds are currently designated to the project in the Recreation Capital Investment Budget:•2023- $50,000 park maintenance funds to demolish the concession building•2024- $70,000 Donaldson Playground Replacement ($130,000 needed, $60,000 supported through grants and fundraising)•2024- $100,000 Park Building Demolition•2024- $110,000 Building Renovation (+$190,000 used from reserves to reach $300,000 budgeted to apply for HCFG)•2025- $445,000 Building Renovation•Total cost is unknown at this time, but we would have a little over $1M budgeted.
•Feedback on process•“Ok”to move forward•Ideas for funding partnersDirection Needed
Discussion &Questions
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #3.
STAFF RE P ORT NO. 22
WORK SESSION
6/13/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: A my Markle, Recreation S ervices D irector
6/7/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
6/7/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Discussion of Local Sales Tax authorization and referendum planning.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
The City of Richfield was granted the authority by the Minnesota Legislature this past session to bring Local
Option Sales Tax to Richfield voters in the next two years at a general election. There are three regional park
projects that will be placed individually on the ballot including: the W ood Lake Nature Center Building Project,
Veterans Park Complex (including major aquatics improvements), and a new Community Center. The City
Attorney has advised that the local option sales tax questions should go on the 2024 ballot as it is a general
election. City staff has met with Rapp Strategies, I nc., and will move forward with them to develop an
educational campaign for a 2024 referendum. They have a wealth of experience in supporting municipalities
in successfully passing referendums including local option sales tax.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
N/A
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
N/A
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
The following policies that include definitions of "general election", are important to this discussion:
Minnesota Sales Tax Statute- Section 297A.99
City of Richfield Charter - Section 4.01
Minnesota State Law- MS 200.02
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
N/A
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
None at this time.
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
N/A
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
None at this time.
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G: