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2004-11-16RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION ___---_-__-- AGENDA Tuesday, November 16, 2004 7.00 p.m. Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) Commission Members Anna Berend Dean Johnson Rodney Schmidt (Vice Chair) Michael Christian Barb Kritzman Linda Slocum Robert Dietl Kevin McVay Gordon Vizecky (Chair) Gloma Hamernick Gary Ness 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes ❑ Regular Meeting: October 19, 2004 3. Public Comment ❑ Opportunity to discuss items not printed on the agenda 4. Program Spotlight ❑ Senior Programs (Dragotis) Staff Liaisons Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaison) John Enger (Council) John Evans (Secretary) Kyle Hartnett (PC) 5. Staff Reports ❑ Recreation Services (Topitzhofer) • Summary of Community Council Summit -October 19, 2004 6. Discussion Items ❑ None 7. Action Items ❑ None 8. Committee Reports ❑ Ballfield Improvement Task Force (Christian/Topitzhofer) ❑ Golf Practice Facility Task Force (Berend/Topitzhofer) ❑ City Hall Task Force (Schmidt) ❑ Transportation Committee (Ness/Kritzman) ❑ FOWL (Dietl/Kritzman) ❑ Planning Commission (Slocum) ❑ Richfield Community Human Services Planning Council [RCHSPCj (Hamernick) 9. Other ❑ Cancel regular meeting on December 21, 2004 10. Next Meeting Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11. Adjournment DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC, October 19, 2004 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION ® JOINT MEETING w/CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 19, 2004, 7:00 pm Richfield Community Center Commissioners Barb Kritzman, Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Rodney Schmidt, Anna Berend, Gloma-Hamernick, Dean Dietl, Michael Christian I Staff Jim Ton1tzhofer, John Evans I Council Liaison I John En, er I Planning Commission Liaison I Kyle Hartnett Others J Betty Gustafson (Council candidate), Larry Wozniczka Linda Slocum, Kevin I Approval of Minutes I Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to approve the minutes of the regular June meeting. Approved, ayes all. Dietl moved, seconded by Hamernick, to approve the minutes of the July 13 joint CSC/Council meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports I Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: -Middle School Teen Activity Night drew over 375 students. -Adaptive Bowling League has 111 participants this year. -Wood Lake Nature Center's upcoming Halloween event and Best Buy Foundation Grant application. -Adventure Gardens Mini -Golf season ended on September 26. -Community Center Boutique -Saturday, October 23 -Upcoming flu shot clinic on Tuesday, October 26, at the Community Center. Discussion items Youth and Family Survey Topitzhofer said that Richfield Community Education will allow Richfield Recreation Services to include questions on their annual survey, which is conducted at various events and the data recorded on portable keypads. Christian said that he took one of the other school surveys and it was very fast. Topitzhofer said that the survey will help assess recreation and human services needs in the community. Madison Park Mitigation Agreement Topitzhofer said that the City Council had authorized staff to proceed with negotiations with MNDot to determine the mitigation for the lost 10,000 square feet of the park. An additional 6,000 feet on either side of the park would be left, he said, and the neighborhood clearly objected to using that land for access points to the park on the north side. He said that, as Dietl suggested at the last meeting, the most valuable mitigation would be to request land compensation rather than money. He said that one idea would be to request funding for the redevelopment of Richfield Lake Park, which may be affected anyway when redevelopment begins on the east side of the lake. Vizecky asked if the access points on the north end of the park should be discussed in a larger, city-wide context relating to bike trails since that is a likely through -point for an east -west bike trail. Topitzhofer said that a resident expressed concern about the Transportation Committee's suggestion that the park would be part of a bike trail. Ness and Christian suggested that the Transportation Committee should be involved in the decision. Topitzhofer said that an actual mitigation agreement may be a year away or more; appraisals and more feedback about the land usage would take place first. I Action Items FOWL Member Re Appointment Diet] moved, seconded by Schmidt, to reappoint Gayle Ticen, Vern Luettinger, and Tom Hoyne to three-year terms on the FOWL Board of Directors. Approved, ayes all. Family Friendly City Task Force Liaison Appointment Topitzhofer said that the City Council set a goal this year to begin an initiative to make Richfield a more family -friendly city; task force is being formed to begin the task and two CSC liaisons have been requested; the group will hold their first meeting on Thursday, October 28, 5:00 pm, Richfield Water Plant. Rodney Schmidt and Gloma Hamernick volunteered. Gordon Vizecky said that he'd be attending the meetings as a liaison from Best Buy. October 19, 2004 1 Corntn@tee.Reports Ballfreld Improvement Task Force Topitzhofer said that the task force has not resumed meetings, but a survey was done that included the land currently cased to the adjacent trailer park and there would be further study of the feasibility of a four -field complex. Golf Practice Facility Task Force Topitzhofer reported Effective Golf Systems completed a second assessment of possible facilities and locations. He said that 930 feet were identified on the west side of Vets Park and the task force is favoring the idea of building a golf dome there. City Hall Task Force Schmidt reported that the group has toured Edina and Bloomington City Halls. Transportation Committee Ness and Kritzman reported that the committee was recently evaluating the City's stop -sign policy. FOWL Dietl reported that 76 golfers participated in the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic on September 11. Planning Commission No report was given. RCHSPC Hamemick said that the group hasn't met over the summer, but will be meeting to begin reviewing grant applications. _Other Community Council Community Summit Vizecky reported that several CSC'ers attended the summit immediately before the CSC meeting, where issues related to families, immigrants and youth were discussed. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 16, 7:00 pm, Community Center Adjournment Dietl moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. RICHFIELD COMMUNITY COUNCIL, October 27, 2004 Dear RCC 'Building Our Future Together" Participant, Thank you for your contribution to the development of addressing emerging needs and gaps in Richfield. You addressed the three priority focus areas with energy, enthusiasm and productivity. The report is enclosed/attached. The brainstorming data document provides an outline of individual participant input. The summary is a consolidation from the comments made within each of the breakout groups. You will notice from the report, not only were there multiple issues addressed, but possible solutions and actions. The Richfield Community Council applauds your support and creativity. If you are interested in participating on the RCC or a work group, please contact Kathy Farris, Human Services Planner/Coordinator, at 612-861-9754 or kfarris(a)ci.richfield.mn.us. If you did not receive the packet of information regarding the RCC and workgroups when you signed in, you may request one from Kathy as well. Again, thank you for your valuable feedback. You have provided a wealth of information to assist in developing the 2005-06 work -plan development. Sincerely, f'.orc l R/Y N Lerae Finn Chair, Richfield Community Council Richfield Community Council: "Building Our Future Together" October 19, 2004 Purpose: To strengthen the Richfield community by fostering collaborative partnerships addressing the human service needs of it's residents. List of Participants 1. Ron Wilson, Richfield Arts Commission 2. Jon Schoonmaker, Richfield Foundation 3. Betty Gustafson 4. Bruce Palmborg, City of Richfield Community Development 5. Pat Dale, The Storefront Group 6. Gloma Hamernick, Richfield Community Services Commission 7. Gary Ness, Richfield Community Services Commission 8. Rodney Schmidt, Richfield Community Services Commission 9. Bob Diet], Richfield Community Services Commission 10. Heidi Gaibor, Interpreter 11. Mary Ann Dols, Parish Nursing 12. John Riehus, St. Richard's Church 13. David Kelly, Bethany Covenant Church 14. Steve Lomen, Richfield Lutheran Church 1 S. Tom Rublein, Richfield 2020 16. Betsy Osborn, City of Richfield Public Safety 1 7. Jeanette Lofstrom, Richfield Community Human Services Council 18. John Garry, Hennepin South Services Collaborative 19. Paul Thissen, State Representative 20. Ava Rudnick!, Hennepin County 21. Tom Zarth, Oak Grove Lutheran Church 22. Barbara Zell, House of Prayer Parish Nursing 23. Peggy Turnbull, Hope Presbyterian Church 24. Russ Susag, Metropolitan Council 25. Chuck Carlson, House of Prayer Lutheran Church 26. Daniel Brewer, United Methodist Church of Peace 27. Susan Bongaarts, Hennepin County Human Services 28. Betty Young, Jobs & Affordable Housing 29.Jim Topitzhofer, City of Richfield Community Services 30. Frank White, City of Richfield Community Services 31. Gordon Vizecky, Richfield Community Services Commission 32. Doris Rubenstein 33. Larry Wozniczka 34. Deacon Carl Valdez, Church of the Assumption 35.John Schraan, Woodlake Lutheran Church 36. Leslie Bole, Richfield Celebrations Commission 37. Barb Kritzman, Richfield Community Services Commission 38. Steve Larson 39. Barbara Devlin, Richfield Public Schools 40. Dave Brown, Richfield Foundation Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton. 10-19-04 41. Nancy Rowley, Richfield Community Council/Richfield Public Schools Board 42. Gretchen Valdez, Richfield Community Council/MIRA 43. Rose Jost, Richfield Community Council/Bloomington Public Health 44. Jennifer Blevins, Richfield Community Council/Family & Children's Service 45. Emily Day, Richfield Community Council/YouthNet 46. Rob Couillard, Richfield Community Council/Southdale YMCA 47. Susan Rosenberg, Richfield Community Council/Richfield City Council 48. Florence Simon, Richfield Community Council/Richfield League of Women Voters 49. Camillo DeSantis, Richfield Community Council 50. Gertrude Ulrich, Richfield Community Council/Richfield City Council 51. Mike Welsh, Richfield Community Council/Community Building Associates 52. Karen Tannahill, Richfield Community Council/Richfield Advisory Board on Health 53. Sandie Forest, Richfield Community Council/Richfield Public Schools 54. Lisa Bjerken, Richfield Community Council/Hennepin County Library 55. Deb Truesdell, Richfield Community Council/Hennepin County 56. John Bjostad, Richfield Community Council 57. Marc Boone, Richfield Community Council/Richfield Human Services Planning Council 58. Beth Fagin, Richfield Community Council/The Storefront Group Facilitators/Staff: 59. Clare MacDonald -Sexton, Facilitator, Hennepin South Services Collaborative 60. Lerae Finn, Chair, Richfield Community Council/VEAP 61. Edwina Garcia, Richfield Community Resource Coordinator, HSSC 62. Kathy Farris, Human Services Planner, City of Richfield Purpose: to gather information from community stakeholders on emerging needs/gaps and possible solutions within existing RCC focus areas of Youth at Risk, Family Stability and New Immigrants to support the development of the Richfield Community Council's (RCC) 2005-2006 work plan The goal of the evening was to continue an active planning process that included previous priority setting, evolution of the work groups, HSSC Strategic Planning, and Community Mapping. Goals for 2005-06 Work Plan Build on Work Group achievements Address on going issues in the community Incorporate emerging issues Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton. 10-19-04 Hoped for Results Primary Aim: • Identification of issues, existing needs/emerging gaps, and possible solutions that will contribute to the planning for RCC Work Plan for 2005. • Provide a progress report on the RCC and the work of the Work Groups since 2000 Secondary Aim: • Strengthen participation in the RCC and existing Work Groups Forum Process & Background The forum consisted of 4 presentations and a participatory process. It began with ar overview of the Richfield Community Council and the purpose of the evening. This included a review of the bi-annually-developed RCC Work Plan and its annual revision by council members. The Work Group Model was presented as a way to develop and implement community, integrated responses to strategically impact 3 priority focus areas: Youth at Risk, New Immigrants, and Family Stability. This introduction was followed by presentations on each of the three Work Groups their purpose and accomplishments. Work Groups • Youth at Risk Purpose: In collaboration with other groups provide services to at -risk children/youth, and generate initiatives that will enable Richfield children/ youth to access existing programs and services. • New Immigrants Purpose: Implementation and support of connections to community resources and community building to address needs of immigrant communities. • Family Stability Purpose: Identify and prioritize Family Stability for Richfield families; develop innovative, collaborative, achievable strategies to address prioritized needs; and facilitate and/or implement responses. After these presentations, participants were asked to choose one of the Work Group Areas and brainstorm individually on issues for this area and solutions/actions they would propose. Following the brainstorm two groups for each focus area were formed. These groups shared their individual work and prepared the top three issues and top three solutions for their area of focus. Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton. 10-19-04 Results Achieved The following is a summary from the comments made within each of these breakout groups, identifying issues and possible solutions. Family Stability SUMMARY Issues I Possible Solutions/Actions Housing • Stable neighborhoods with real Survey at National Night Out to get a involvement sense of needs of community neighborhoods • Lack of decent, safe & attainable housing for families with children • Housing Stabilization -affordable, permanent, high density attainable housing • Examine & target city policies on affordable housing • Target resources to problem properties • Gracefully move elderly into new housing and open starter homes Community Resources & Supports • Family Resource Center located in Richfield • Family support -child-care, isolation, finances, crises • Lack of access to healthcare —not affordable • Assess how people are currently being served and how they could be served better • Provide community events, after - school programs, structured activities for families • Develop single parent supports • Explore community clinic model Employment Wages Finances • Livable wages Various groups coordinate a concentrated effort to work on legislating minimum wage increase New Immigrants SUMMARY Issues I Possible Solutions/Actions Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton.. 10-19-04 J Intep,ration • Language, communication skills • Lack of knowledge of community — rules, laws, resources • Integration into community life • Fear of cultural differences —on both sides • ESL, tutoring —more resources for current programs; SHAPE, schools, churches. Helping mothers & children • Monthly orientation to community laws, codes & mores. Community cable access programs provide orientation to community resources. Community liaisons from the culture(s). Block Club -neighborhood events -"get to Know you" Create opportunities for people to meet and learn; garage sales, Cinco De Mayo, cultural events, fall festival at Assumption, etc. European Americans take the first step. We can't assume that everyone wants to meet. Legislative Advocacy/Policy • Immigration Reform I . Educate public on the need for reform Basic Needs • Basic Life skills • Language/jobs/health/finances/ transportation/housing»>mentoring Youth at Risk SUMMARY Issues I Possible Solutions/Actions Youth Activities/Space • Safe & positive place for youth to be Discuss with library, faith community, & community how to provide a safe, positive place (build on what already exists) Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton. 10-19-04 5 • Sense of belonging -community, peers, schools, families • Communication about resources/activities • Create gathering place-safe/trusted; that kids help develop • Reduce Community Barriers, get information to everyone, create community -wide activities/themes School Success/School Readiness • School engagement/school success Continue to support & expand 'Get Ready' & other school engagement programs/activities. Outreach to parents to become involved in their children's learning Relationships • Connections with more adults • Mentoring and tutoring • Mentorships-careers, etc. • Form/hold community -wide initiative with faith community, RCC, MIRA, Americorp to provide mentoring/tutoring. **Connect with Richfield businesses to perhaps pay youth to tutor/mentor *Please note in addition to the above information it was noted that an area for growth for the RCC is communication & collaboration across Work Groups and the RCC as well as between city & schools. Please see the 'Brainstorming Data' document for an outline of individual input. Process facilitated and report complied by Clare MacDonald -Sexton. 10-19-04 11 Individual Brainstorm Data 10-19-04 This brainstorming data document provides an outline of individual input from forum participants. Family Stability Important issues for this focus area: Possible Solutions or Actions: Community Resources & Services • Child-care • Form Baby-sitting coops on a formal level { • Linking to families to community resources . Combine effort with Youth at Risk group to continue the Welcome Center & expand the focus to connecting families with community resources and Wraparound • Support for homebound mothers • A "Mom's Chat Group" with trans ortatio p n and child-care provided • Accessible culturally appropriate supportive services • Family Resource Center located in Richfield 771h & Lyndale • HC Services located in SH • Accessible emergency services - crisis management • Study the impact on Richfield families since the consolidation of FamiLink • Reassess ways to help families locally • Assess RCC contribution to HSSC /FRC • Create a hot-line or clearing house that in step accesses resources that are already available Affordable Healthcare Transportation Kids without parents I • Mentoring programs to provide + role models f Lack of kids visitation nights with parents j • Drop off Center, with mediator Support for Single parent families • Initiate additional after school programs & • Safe, steady place for kids to call home • Permanent Housing • Landlord tenant education • Affordable/Attainable Housing - maintained through crises • 7611 & Penn stability summer camps Housing • Provide assistance to families in need to maintain residence in the school district their children attend • More high density affordable housing • U of M and many agencies, businesses to sponsor and organize landlord/tenant workshops on renters rights, resources, house upkeep • Education home ownership and finances • More Larger apartments • More concentrated effort by paid staff and Exec. Committee towards this effort • Inventory of homes & occupancy • Assess how much space is going unused/ underused • Work with HC, Met Council, foundations, United Way fund "best practices" services connected to housing • Continue with Leo • Each building could have a steering Individual Brainstorm Data 1 0-19-04 committee & reps. to a larger group • 3'" Way -make it as known as Habitat for Humanity Employment, Wages & Finances • Financial support & education • Training on financial needs • job losses & unemployment • Create and search for funding sources to service organizations to subsidize fees for services • Livable wage -living wage jobs • Raise minimum wage • Reduce the number & kinds of businesses that can exempt from paying minimum wage • A new president and administration • Parents with jobs that pay a living wage • Encourage employers who offer jobs that pay above minimum wage to locate in the area • Offer training opportunities thru the school system to help increase employability & skills levels Connections/Collaborations • Creative connections between schools and • Expand collaborations with 3'" way network & community resources congregations • Safety • Promote neighborhood strategies to address security issues that affect both seniors and vouth • Support families values • Continue networking w/ churches to integrate programs with each other & other organizations _ • Drop out rates • Work with faith communities to work with specific at risk youth in cooperation with schools • Diverse membership on the RCC and • Speakers bureaus, churches, agency client work -groups reflecting the residents of activity Richfield • orientation, leadership development, buddy system This brainstorming data document provides an outline of individual input from forum participants. New Immigrants Important issues for this focus area: I Possible Solutions or Actions: Integration • Link new families to resources • Combine efforts with youth at risk especially the Welcome Center • Establishing friendships • Welcome wagon engaging neighbors • Neighborhood assimilation —home repair, • Welcome packets in appropriate languages inoperable vehicles, # of occupants in including: city ordinances, car registration, home, non licensed drivers voting, license, city services, community resources, contact numbers • Anti -immigrant resettlement climate in the Generate alternative resources to help with community resettlement • Adapting to new environment • 1 2 Individual Brainstorm Data 10-19-04 • Fears & misconceptions between the older Promote understanding community and the new immiqrants • English language • More English tutoring for adults • Family English programs (similar to Even Start) • Education • Expand school resources supporting English language learners • Advocate for the passage of the MN version of the Dream Act • Community standards . Community handbook • Integration into community • Promote ethnic artists • Provide education on existing community resources • "Culturizing" helpers • Friend to support people become more a part of the community • Recognition and promotion of ethnic . Find a way to identify talented individuals artists, musicians and performers • Help find out to showcase talents & training opportunities • Fund to hang art in Richfield Community Center • Fund to re-establish concerts in the park Legislative Advocacy/Policy • Family & work tensions due to policy of • Work with other groups, like ISAIAH, to not allowing undocumented immigrants a educate the community drivers license Federal government pressuring local law • Communicate with City Council and enforcement to act as agents for support the council and law enforcement immigration eg., asking people for proof of to alleviate the problem legal status when no crime has been committed • Need. immigrant advocacy at congress and state legislature • Immigration status Issues • Safe & secure methods to communicate • Informed group to educate community about new legislation, homeland security policies and advocate to change negative campaign against accommodation for new immigrants • City Council pass resolution prohibiting police & city officials from checking immigration status • Support reforms in immigration laws so undocumented workers receive citizensh • Pass livable wage policy in Richfield • Assist new immigrants in small businef creation • Negotiate with Richfield employers to provide on the job training • Link new immigrants to job training programs that lead to employment • Work with banks to establish secur( and send funds to family in other countries • Change legislation (local, state and federal levels) to create a "just" system Basic • Work with livable wage • Basic needs stability • Resource awareness • Transportation • Preschool and youth programs for all children • Healthcare • Healthy life style -access to recreation Individual Brainstorm Data 10-19-04 money transfer • Education to community on history of immigration laws ( failures and inequities) Veeds • Improve English language skills • Collaborative efforts to [identify & secure housing eg. Apt. bldg. owners designating a % of apts. For immigrants • Employers collaborative -list job openings available for immigrants (mentor partners) • Targeted personal outreach in high density areas • Hire from within the immigrant community to provide transportation • Volunteer drivers of vans or mini buses for pre-school activities and school conferences • Provide education to community on the realities facing immigrant youth to create and support programs for the success of our immigrant youth • Free clinic • Collaborative effort between Public Health and faith community to provide nursing centers with diverse language skills • Dialogue with local hospitals regarding staffing issues Communitv • City Involvement • Liaison from established groups to reps of new immigrant groups to engage and recruit for participation Racial & cultural Harmony • Involvement in cultural fair and community events • Messages from pastors from the pulpit • Articles in sun Current about the achievements of new immigrants q Latino adults and youth to the table • Mentoring Latino adults & youth and inviting them to participate t with faith groups --settlement • Churches work with council to invite and \N99 introduce new immigrants to services available ;5 3 4 Individual Brainstorm Data 10-19-04 This brainstorming data document provides an outline of individual input from forum participants. Youth at Risk Important issues for this focus area: Possible Solutions or Actions: Youth Activities/ p S ace • Provide safe, trusted activities for more • Teen Center w/ academic & mentoring resres. + youth . Use marketing methods from other cultures • Collaborate w/Bloomington Loves it's Kids - volunteers & funding • Gathering place & activities to give youth a • Parent Involvement in youth activities sense of purpose; with transportation • Cross cultural activities Activities that involve youth in community • Find an already usable vacant space with easy access on the bus route • Invite to hangout -have food • Extra curricular activities Community based activities • Affordable, structured & supervised • Groups for youth 10-16years activities with transportation • Establish link to all youth activities • Opportunities & activities for students to . Provide recognition of achievements have positive interaction w/ peers School Readiness/School Success • Success in school 10 • School Readiness; • Parental involvement birth-5years • Early childhood development -Head Start • Culturally sensitive alternative education • Literacy support/language development for limited English proficiency and interrupted school students • Keep families in Richfield • Truancy, attendance, & participation • Parental involvement in learning activities • After school programs • Environment the nurtures education • Pre-school and reading readiness support • Get Ready program combined w/family literacy • ESL -learn before starting school • "Share a culture day" focusing on a specific culture • Schools & community develop & increase involvement of diverse mentors and tutors • Strengthen School reputation • Regional/countywide attendance task force • Learning activities involving parents in order to know other parents • Parent education • Parent support groups -teens, homework, school system • Expand existing programs to kids without financial means to pay • School programs, mentor/tutor programs • Youth involvement to keep excited about Recreational/educational programs that school make learning fun • Involve students in existing school activities & create new activities E Individual Brainstorm Data 10-19-04 Basic Needs Safe home environment, abuse free Keep children safe from abuse • Stable housing with adequate food • Viable housing for all income levels 1 • Home stability —lack of adult supervision outside of school Family stability • Connection with community Stable -affordable housing Resources for immigrant youth & families 01 • Food clothing and shelter Relationships • Belonging to peer group • Activity center 1 • Connection to community, family & peers 1 • Mentors -caring adult connections • Use "crime watch" model to link families & youth to mentors/support systems • Combine efforts of Community Coordinator, Mike Welsh & 2 AmeriCorps fellows to recruit & train volunteers and mentors • Use mentoring & outreach to students not participating • Student & adult mentors • Collaborate with existing mentro program. I. Tutoring Risks & Mental Health • Abuse Early intervention with families 1 • Drugs 1 • Peer pressure 1 Affordable & accessible mental & chemical More resources & early intervention 1 health services w/mental health Self-esteem • Promote self-esteem building programs • Showcase success of different cultural groups to create awareness Isolation & cultural issues Provide support services to families to make 1 them feel welcomed and informed 2