2004-07 CSCJuly 13, 2004
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
JOINT MEETING w/CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, July 13, 2004, 6:30 pm
Richfield City Hall Council Chambers
PRESENT
Commissioners Barb Kritzman, Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Linda Slocum, Rodney Schmidt, Anna Berend, Gloma Hamernick, Kevin
McVay, Dean Johnson, Bob Dietl, Michael Christian
Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans
Council Liaison John Enger
ABSENT
Planning Commission Liaison Kyle Hartnett
Joint Session with Council
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Sue Sandahl at 6:30 pm. CSC Chair Vizecky gave the annual report
to the City Council. The CSC adjourned to the Heredia Room for a separate session.
Approval of Minutes
Schmidt moved, seconded by Slocum, to approve the minutes of the regular May meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Staff Reports
Recreation Services
Topitzhofer reported on the following:
? Fourth of July Celebration was successful. July 3 dance rained out
? New Adaptive Recreation Supervisor Kelly Mertes just started work
? Free Lunch Program going well
Discussion Items
Three Rivers Park District Bike Trail Plan
Topitzhofer showed the group a map of existing and proposed bike routes in Richfield. In conjunction with the Crosstown
project, MnDOT has asked for Richfield’s pedestrian trail plans in order to plan for bridge construction. Richfield staff has
communicated with the City of Minneapolis to discuss linkages. With the loss of the current walking bridge over 494,
Richfield is proposing that it be replaced. Corridors along Bloomington Avenue and 76th Street are being considered as
regional trail links. Ness suggested that 68th Street would be a better east-west trail than 67th Street because of stoplights
and the fact that 67th is broken by the St. Peter’s Church/M&I Bank area. Ness said that Xerxes and Penn Avenues turn into
two-lane roads with parking in Minneapolis (Topitzhofer said that Nicollet is the same way). Ness said that you could get off
Nicollet at Crosstown by turning right. Dietl asked if Minneapolis is examining north-south routes. Topitzhofer said that
they’re suggesting Nicollet and Bloomington Avenues, in particular, but they’re hoping to make every bridge and underpass
pedestrian-friendly. There was a question about the link to Minneapolis via Thomas Avenue; Schmidt asked if that is
proposed as a pedestrian bridge. Topitzhofer said that this route must have been recommended at one time and if it’s
suggested by Richfield, then Richfield would be expected to help with funding. Topitzhofer asked if Penn Avenue should be
suggested as a north-south link to Minneapolis. Kritzman asked if a walking bridge at Thomas Avenue over Crosstown could
be funded as mitigation for the park land lost in Madison Park. Slocum asked if Knox Avenue would be a possible north-
south route. Topitzhofer said that he can start by telling MnDOT that the three bridges should be pedestrian-friendly and can
pass on other suggestions. He said that this will come back a few times and will go to the Transportation Committee along
the way.
Met Council Parks and Open Space Survey
Topitzhofer and the group discussed the survey. Ness and Schmidt asked about funding priorities for regional parks.
Topitzhofer said that it might have been related to the DNR’s LCMR grants and their prioritization of grant applications.
Committee Reports
Ballfield Improvement Task Force
Topitzhofer said that the task force postponed meetings while CAD drawings of Lincoln Field were done. He said that a
survey of the park will be done and the feasibility of a four-field complex will be determined.
Golf Practice Facility Task Force
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.
July 13, 2004
Topitzhofer reported that a feasibility study is being done for Taft and Vets by July 15. If a facility is possible at one of these
parks, then a market study will be conducted.
City Hall Task Force
Schmidt reported that a study was done to determine project scope and examine land-use issues.
Transportation Committee
Ness reported that the 76th Street “fly-over” plan was approved by Council, which minimizes impact to the park on the
FOWL
Kritzman reported that the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic will be held on September 11. Ness, Schmidt, Christian, Slocum and
Topitzhofer will be the fivesome.
Planning Commission
Slocum provided the PC report.
RCHSPC
Hamernick provided the RCHSPC report. She asked about the status of the Community Center transportation services.
Topitzhofer said that we now contract to Martin Luther Manor for transportation services.
Other
August Meeting Cancellation
Slocum moved, seconded by Kritzman, to cancel the August meeting. Approved, ayes all.
Next Meeting
Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 pm, Community Center (this meeting may be cancelled in lieu of th
Adjournment
Kritzman moved, seconded by Slocum, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.