2003-06 CSCJune 17, 2003
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Richfield City Hall
Present: Commissioners Chad Sharkey, Barb Kritzman, Gordon Vizecky, Rick Jabs, Gary Ness, Gloma
Hamernick
Staff Jim Topitzhofer, Frank White, John Evans, George Atkinson, Tom Foley
Absent: Commissioners Bob Dietl, Linda Slocum, Rodney Schmidt
Council Liaison John Enger
Planning Commission Liaison Mark Tolvstad
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Jabs at 7:08 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Kritzman moved, seconded by Jabs, to approve the minutes of the May 20 regular meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Other
No Name Park is a small section of City-owned land by 68th Street, Forest Drive and Oliver Avenue. Neighbors of the park
came to the meeting to discuss playing with balls in the park. Signage had been posted at the park years ago because of
hard balls breaking windows. Some neighbors like playing with balls at the park, others point out the sign as a reason to
prohibit ball play (police are called when kids are playing with balls there). The neighbor was requesting that the signage be
removed. Topitzhofer said that the signs were put up about 20 years ago at the request of a neighbor who had windows
broken. He said that no ordinance prohibits ball play there, so Public Safety has very little course of action. He said that the
CSC could provide direction to staff to remove the signs. Jabs said that feedback from all neighbors would be necessary
before any action was taken. He said that a neighborhood meeting could be held after the joint meeting with the City
Council in July. Vizecky moved, seconded by Ness, to seek further public input after the next meeting. Approved by
consensus.
Program Spotlight
Adult Athletics
Recreation Programs & Athletics Manager White reported:
· Richfield co-sponsors the Best Buy Softball League, which adds 18 teams to Richfield’s softball program.
· Best Buy’s Flag Football League may also be accommodated in the fall as well.
· A new fitness program, Pilates, is now being offered and is very popular.
· Richfield fields are home to a Latino Soccer League.
· Adult athletics are important and, while many participants are non-residents, the priority is still youth.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer added:
· Adult athletics programs meet an important need for adults without kids.
· Adult athletics programs have a higher profit margin than any other recreation programs.
Discussion Items
76th Street Micro-Planing and Striping of Bicycle Lane
Prior to this CSC meeting, Engineering Supervisor Atkinson and Transportation Engineer Foley held an open house to
discuss the 76th Street project. Vizecky said that the “test period” for the initial five-block stretch might need definition.
Atkinson said that the project could be done in the late-summer or early-fall. He said that funding is approved by the City
Council, but not the portion by Hennepin County. Other approvals are in the works. He said that the bidding/contract
process would follow. Sharkey suggested reviewing the test area through 2004. Hamernick asked how feedback from
bicyclists might be solicited. Kritzman said that neighborhood feedback would be the main consideration. Vizecky said that
it should be noted that the “test period” doesn’t mean that the work will be reversed; instead, the next stage of the project
would be the end of the test period unless negative feedback is received. Jabs suggested an established time period (Fall
2003 to Fall 2004) during which all feedback and evaluations are fully considered. Sharkey moved, seconded by Kritzman,
to recommend approval of the project and establish a one-year feedback period.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED AT JULY MTNG
June 17, 2003
COMMUNITY CENTER REMODELING
Hamline Construction was awarded the contract for the project; construction began this week. Building users (programs
and rentals) have been relocated around Richfield for the period of construction.
OUTDOOR POOL RENOVATION
The Outdoor Pool Renovation is complete and the pool will open June 18 (tomorrow) at Noon. Difficulties were experienced
related to power hook-ups, etc. So, the pool opening was delayed five days. Final inspection was passed.
TRI-CITY/YMCA SKATE PARK
Construction is well underway. Wood frames and forms are nearly complete. The estimated completion date is mid-
August.
Jabs commended Topitzhofer on great work, with all of the new and improved facilities and program development.
Discussion Items
Single-Sort Recycling Ordinance Amendment
In May, the CSC recommended approval of the ordinance amendment, but wanted to see the specific language that was
being changed. So, at this meeting, the specific text was brought to the CSC for them to review.
Action Items
FOWL Board Member Appointments
The terms of five members of the Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) Board are expiring; all five members are re-applying. One
new applicant also submitted an application for one of the vacancies. Evans said that once before, the CSC re-appointed
existing members and encouraged the extra applicant to come to FOWL Board meetings and be involved anyway.
Recreation Programs Manager Frank White said that this was not sending the right message to people who want to get
involved in the community. Kritzman asked if more than 12 members could be on the Board. Jabs wondered if an existing
member could step down; he said that the CSC shouldn’t bump any FOWL board members without Dietl being present.
The issue was tabled until the July 8 meeting.
Committee Reports
Transportation Committee
Kritzman provided the Transportation Committee report. Next meeting is July 7.
Ballfield Improvement Task Force
Jabs provided the report.
FOWL
No report was given (Dietl was absent).
Planning Commission
Kritzman provided the PC report.
RCHSPC
Slocum provided the report.
Other
Fourth of July Recruitment
Jabs said that Maureen Scaglia is recruiting people to help with the Fourth of July Celebration, especially the Street Dance
on July 3. White said that a training session will be held on June 25, 6:30 p.m., Richfield City Hall.
Next Meeting
Joint Meeting with the City Council
Tuesday, July 8, 6:00 p.m.
Richfield City Hall
Adjournment
Sharkey moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.