1998-10 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 13, 1998
Present: A. Auchstetter, R. Dietl, R. Jabs, C. Krohn, B. McGlinn, Council Liaison S. Rosenberg, C. Sharkey, D. Schaefer, M. Scaglia; School Liaison J. Sloss; Staff: G. Watson, S. Devich,
T. Foley, M. Eastling
Absent: T. Erlander, C. Strobl (ex), Tom Loweth, Planning Commission Liaisons: K. Meter and T. Ahlstrom (T. Ulmer present in the audience)
The meeting was called to order by Rick Jabs at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Water Plant. Motion by Jabs to approve the minutes of September 8 as written. Second
by Auchstetter. Motion Carried.
Action Items
Election of an Acting Chair
Sharkey moved to elect a new chairperson. He noted that Tom Loweth and Tim Erlander hadn’t been in attendance recently. Auchstetter stated that Loweth had told him that a letter of
resignation was forthcoming.
Sharkey asked for volunteers and pointed out that Jabs was in that role now. Dietl seconded the nomination. Jabs asked if anybody else was interested. Jabs was voted Acting Chair,
ayes all.
Jabs suggested that he appoint an acting vice-chair since Erlander was busy with his campaign. Jabs asked Auchstetter to be Acting Vice-Chair. Auchstetter agreed.
Veterans Park Reforestation
Watson explained a Veterans Park Master Plan should include the reforestation, as well as other issues such as the possible relocation of the Community Gardens and the Proposed Recreational
Facility. Jabs noted that the Maintenance Facility Task Force should soon know the location of that facility. Sharkey pointed out that Veterans Park could be ruled out as a site for
that Facility. Jabs stated that the fate of the Recreational Facility is important to the Veterans Park Plan. Watson stated that the fate of the Recreational Facility will be more
definite in a month to six weeks.
Sharkey inquired about who was developing plans for the Veterans Park redevelopment. Watson stated that it was Brauer and Associates. He stated that work on the Veterans Park Plan
had halted somewhat with the tree controversy. He stated that the Plan should be kept in action.
David Buzicky, Richfield Firefighter, spoke from the audience about changing the name of the reforestation of Vets Park to something else. He stated that the stand of trees that were
there were a hindrance to safety, recreation, maintenance and awareness of City facilities and the word “reforestation” should not be used in discussing the redevelopment of the park.
Watson agreed, but stated that the name has attracted some public involvement. Scaglia stated that this was a viewpoint that hadn’t been heard a great deal.
Sharkey asked about Brauer and Associates involvement as consultants. Jabs wondered if the park redevelopment was in conflict with the Recreational Facility Task Force work, whose work
should end in March. Watson stated that the start of the Vets Park work would be staggered with the Facility work. As soon as the Master Park Plan was recommended to the Council, the
planning of the Vets Park redevelopment should begin.
Tom Ulmer spoke from the audience about maintaining family-oriented, athletic resources
Discussion Items
Master Park Plan
The demographics, numbers, dollars and cents are still needed to complete the Sub-Committee Report. Watson will provide this information at the next meeting. The Master Park Plan information
is to be completed by the October meeting for further discussion. A consultant will be brought in for the November Commission Meeting with further details.
Commission Attendance Rules and Method of Communicating to the City Council
Sharkey has proposed some additions to the Bi-Laws on behalf of the Commission. They will be presented to the Commission at the next meeting. Sharkey moved that these additions be
made. Second by Scaglia. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Planning Commission
Auchstetter reported the Gramercy/VFW project was approved. Residents west of the project (Lakeshore Drive) will be included in the redevelopment of this property because of the high
impact the building would have on them (possibly in a buy-out). A temporary location for the VFW at 6401 Lyndale was also approved.
FOWL
FOWL Bowl Golf Classic is September 19 at 3:00, Rich Acres Golf Course. The team will include Carolyn Krohn and her husband, Rick Jabs and his son, and George Watson.
Relocation of Maintenance Building
Jabs stated there is another meeting tomorrow night. Cost estimates should be available at this meeting. The site being considered is 77th and the other side of Cedar Avenue. This
is MNDOT land not MAC’s. Information on renting this land is not available yet. Mike Eastling is hoping a decision on the location may be ready within the next six months.
Staff Reports
Golf Course
Watson has stated that the City is losing the Golf Course a little at a time. Because of this, we may be able to have partial use of the course for the next 3 years. Watson will be
meeting with the DNR again on September 21.
Athletic Fields
Jabs stated that their was another mediation meeting held. The Task Force sent a letter to the Donaldson group with a proposal. They counter proposed and the Task Force sent another
proposal back to them. A big issue was to take out the soccer field at Donaldson Park and move it to Washington. Another issue is parking. Ammie G., the mediator, will go back to
the four people that were at the meeting, and get more neighborhood input. The City will keep the existing regulation size soccer field at the Jr. High, and there will be lights on
the Babe Ruth Field. The groups that interface in this park need to go back to their membership and tell them how important it is to use the parking lot as much as possible and try
to stay away from residential streets. The plans will be presented to Council for approval on September 28 so they may go out for bid. It could be six weeks before a decision is made.
Fairwood/Monroe Parks
The plans for the playground equipment will be presented to the Council for approval on September 14 so they may go out for bid.
Richfield Lake Area Plan
A memo from Fred Hoisington has been distributed to each Commission Member with all the key issues listed. The Commission would like to see that the City maintain the parks that we
have, and that the City not lose any park space. Watson has agreed to get in touch with Fred Hoisington to see if there are any more details available. Watson will also be contacting
Bruce Nordquist by letter to see if they will still be ready by October for the special meeting with all the Commissions.
Multi-Purpose Recreation Facility Task Force
Watson is putting together a task force to establish guide lines for a multi-purpose recreation facility and what is financially feasible. This task force with meet approximately three
or four Thursday a month at the Water Plant at 6:30. The first meeting will be held on September 17. Rick Jabs and Maureen Scaglia have volunteered to be on this task force.
S&I
Commission meeting information is to be published in the S & I the following week.
The Commission has asked to have Mike Eastling present at the next meeting to discuss the 77th Street project and any other items he may wish to present to the Commission.
Other
The next Commission meeting is October 13.
Adjournment
Motion by Auchstetter, second by Sharkey to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by consensus.
October 13, 1998