Loading...
031197RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, March 11, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dietl, Erlander, Krohn, Loweth, Scaglia, Schaefer, Ulmer, OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Stokes; Administrative Services Director Devich; Recreation Services Director Blank; Operations Coordinator Hughes; staff members Hjortaas, Payne; guests Barry Warner, Dewey Thorbeck MEMBERS ABSENT: Anondson (ex), Auchstetter (ex), Gilhousen (ex), Rosenberg (ex), Ticen (ex), Walker M I N U T E S The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair Schaefer at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Center at the Water Plant. Motion by Ulmer, second by Erlander to approve the minutes of February 11, 1997 as written. Motion Carried. Sheridan Park Concept Plan (Barry Warner/Dewey Thorbeck) Blank introduced Warner from Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, the landscape architect and Dewey Thorbeck from Thorbeck Architects, the site architect. She explained the process in which the neighbors met February 1 requesting suggestions and ideas to give the architects in planning their park. At the second meeting, February 22, the architects presented concept plans to the neighbors based on the consensus reached at the first meeting. Warner displayed graphics and explained the locations of the softball fields, tennis courts, trails, play equipment, greens and pines. It is designed so Public Safety can drive through the park as a safety measure. Thorbeck presented a model of the proposed park building that will be a picnic pavilion overlooking the play feature with a fountain outside. He showed the locations of lights and plantings outside and around the trail. There will be an area for a porta-potty and a service building with a sink, phone and room for storage so this neighborhood can have a park summer program. Motion by Ulmer to approve the concept plans as submitted and forward to the City Council for approval at the March 24 meeting. Second by Erlander. Motion Carried. Forestry Division Report Hughes explained that the Tree City Award was created by the DNR. Since this time, Richfield has received this award each year for the past 10 years. Dutch Elm disease is down because there are fewer trees; however, the City still has 2,000 to 3,000 elm Community Services Commission March 11, 1997 Page 2 boulevard trees. The goal is to trim 1,000 trees per year. It takes 12 years to get through the entire City. There is the option to take less off and trim twice as many but residents would be unhappy. The City may have to contract some of the work to keep up. Motion by Scaglia, Second by Loweth to approve the Forestry Report. Motion carried. FOWL Appointments Erlander moved to fill the four openings with the four applicants (Hanson, Hamilton, Houlton and Kirchner) that reside in Richfield. Second by Loweth. Dietl raised a concern that four of the applicants are charter members and should be given equal consideration even if they do not live in the City. He explained that FOWL’s endeavor is to expand it’s membership to other communities and appeal to a broader group as Richfield alone cannot support Wood Lake. Dietl suggested the Commission review the bylaws and increase the number of board members from 10 to 11 and appoint all five applicants since many find it difficult to attend the meetings. Loweth said if there are six or 16 members in an organization, it is the same six that do all the work. Krohn said Jean Fox is a great asset and hard worker for FOWL. Motion to appoint Hanson, Hamilton, Houlton and Kirchner to the FOWL Board carried. Motion by Dietl that the Community Services Commission send a recommendation to FOWL to increase the board from 10 to 11 and Jean Fox be appointed to fill the extra position. Erlander asked if FOWL wants another Board member. Blank explained that it would be a City Council action to amend the bylaws. Motion withdrawn. Council Commission joint meeting date It was decided to wait until Chair Gilhousen returns from her vacation to determine a date and topics for the joint City Council meeting. CIB/CIP Introduction Devich explained the CIP is for 1999-2003 and beyond. He has worked to get it to one package and made color separations to make it easy to follow. The City Manager establishes the 1998 CIB but would welcome input. Typically there is a concurrent meeting with the Planning Commission and the Community Services Commission. The Commission suggested April 22 as this date. Community Services Commission March 11, 1997 Page 3 The commission is to call Devich 861-9702 with issues and questions with regard to the joint meeting. Payne answered questions on pool renovations. He explained the first technical report had lower figures than the second. Some of the renovations he spoke of could be done in the off season so as to not close the pool. Others will require closing in mid August. He will keep the Commission informed as the more detqiled estimates come in. Playground users vs neighborhood demographics A map of the City was distributed with neighborhood park areas illustrated and the numbers of school age residents. This was in conjunction with the statistics of playground users. Members can compare registrations with residents in goven areas. Committee Reports MRPA: No Report Planning Commission: Conversations are centered around selling the 66th and Elliot site, sewers and lift stations. FOWL: The spring dinner/show will be at the Decathlon on Friday, April 25 with Marilyn Sellars as the evening’s entertainment. Reservations should be made at Wood Lake Nature Center. The Board is working at collecting prizes for various categories. 76th Street Study East of I35W: There was an open house two weeks ago and neighbors are expressing a more positive response to the task force’s recommendations. Master Park Plan Sub Committee: The City is meeting with Met Council, the DNR and other agencies with a replacement plan. Lil Hipp from the Community Center gave a presentation which included the history, programming and her wish list. Mike Eastling spoke about he proposed Maintenance Facility and the opportunities available for a recreation structure. This group plans a forum in May to get community input. Enterprise Funds Report Devich attended a Golf Course lease meeting with MAC Thursday, attempting to settle the lease. The City will consider withdrawing the law suit if MAC agrees to an extension of the lease. Senator Dave Johnson is introducing a bill requesting MAC to turn over land to Richfield until they are ready to begin construction. Most recent meetings of MAC and Jim Prosser’s negotiations indicate the City will keep this property until the end of ‘98 or ‘99 season. Staff is more optimistic than in the past. Community Services Commission March 11, 1997 Page 4 Recreation Services Report Blank spoke of the forums that the Master Park Plan Sub Committee will host that will be held in May on a Community Recreation complex. Questions for a City wide survey will come from issues brought to staff by various boards and commissions. Decision Resources will conduct a phone survey of about 400 homes. Staff will send sample questions from a previous survey in the S&I. If the Commission has issues to be considered in the survey, they are to call Gretchen Blank at 861-9797 before April 1. Blank also requested input from the Commission on what cities they would like to tour at the May meting. Adjournment Motion by Erlander, Second by Loweth. Motion to adjourn the meeting.