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2004-04 CSCApril 20, 2004 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Richfield Community Center PRESENT Commissioners Barb Kritzman, Bob Dietl, Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Gloma Hamernick, Michael Christian, Linda Slocum, Dean Johnson Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Tom Foley, MaryKaye Champa Council Liaison John Enger Planning Commission Liaison David Gepner (alt) ABSENT Commissioners Rodney Schmidt, Anna Berend, Kevin McVay Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Vizecky at 7:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes Ness asked to indicate in the minutes that he is the liaison to the Transportation Committee (Kritzman is a member of the committee). He also wanted to be indicated as the alternate to the City Hall Task Force. Slocum moved, seconded by Christian, to approve the minutes of the February 17 regular meeting with the above changes and the minutes of the March 22 joint CSC/PC meeting. Approved, ayes all. Public Comment Christian suggested that the recommended minimum “drop-off” age at the Richfield Pool, which is eight years old, is a bit young and asked how this was determined. Topitzhofer said that, while parents are encouraged to stay with their kids, this age reflects past practice. He said that he’d look into this. Program Spotlight Richfield Dance Program Recreation Supervisor Champa reported on Richfield’s Youth Dance Program (the spring recital and the summer dance program). She also talked about the Summer Playground Program, Tennis Program, a scrapbooking class, teen events, a joint program with Stepping Stone Theatre, the lunch program and other summer offerings. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the Wood Lake Egg Hunt, Peterson Concert, Volunteer Tea, art displays in the Community Center and other recent events. He also distributed an article from the Richfield Sun that discussed facilities and programs that are intended to appeal to pre-teen and teen participants. Discussion Items Crosstown Improvements: Madison Park Mitigation Foley summarized the Crosstown improvements (lane additions, minimizing “weavings,” and changes in access). Topitzhofer discussed the effects on Madison Park (net loss of 10,500 square feet) and possible mitigation: soundwall, better lighting, other entries to the park and possible funds for the improvement of Richfield Lake Park, which will also be affected as the holding pond for the freeway improvements. Enger asked if there would be further discussion before decisions were made; Topitzhofer said yes. Enger suggested that some of the grading work at Madison Park should be at the expense of MnDOT and not considered part of the mitigation. Foley detailed possible pedestrian accommodations (including north-south connections to Minneapolis), as well as pending decisions affecting private residents. Planning Commission Chair Gepner thanked the group for their involvement in this project. Ness agreed that this seems to be a good opportunity to develop some of these trail linkages and asked about the possibility of privacy fencing. Kritzman said that this would create a tunnel between the fence and soundwall. Vizecky said that Richfield is not, in general, pedestrian-friendly and trail development would be of great value to the community. Foley said that the development of walkways along 77th Street was a concern for a couple of families, but not most. Topitzhofer asked what the group would favor between funding for trail development and funding for Richfield Lake Park redevelopment. Dietl said that real estate should not be forfeited just for funding because of the increasing scarcity of land in Richfield; he suggested that the trail development might be more valuable than just funding for other projects because there would be no other opportunity to acquire that land. Enger said that, rather than twisting/turning trails that are not extremely desirable, funding towards Richfield Lake Park would be a more useful benefit. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. April 20, 2004 Vizecky doubted that the size of Richfield Lake Park would be expandable because of wetland restrictions. Topitzhofer suggested that the next step be a Madison Park neighborhood meeting to discuss the “fixes” being discussed for the park. Then, he said, thoughts could be formalized by the CSC. Slocum moved, seconded by Ness, to hold a Madison Park neighborhood meeting before the May meeting with other mitigation discussions to follow by the CSC. Committee Reports Ballfield Improvement Task Force Topitzhofer said that Girls Softball wishes for Lincoln Field to be primarily a girls facility with second priority given to boys events. Golf Practice Facility Task Force Topitzhofer reported that the group will have a feasibility study done, particularly considering Taft and Vets Parks (community parks with good freeway access and more buffer between residences and park). Transportation Committee Kritzman reported that the 76th Street “fly-over” plan was recommended to Council. FOWL Dietl reported that the FOWL Fundraising Dinner will be held on Friday, May 7, at the Thunderbird Hotel. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 18, 7:00 pm, Community Center Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Kritzman, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.