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2005-04 cscApril 19, 2005 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Richfield Community Center PRESENT Commissioners Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Dean Johnson, Michael Christian, Ron Schwartz, Barb Kritzman, Rodney Schmidt, Anna Berend, Gloma Hamernick, Catherine Peloquin Staff Jim Topitzhofer Others Planning Commission Liaison Kyle Hartnett ABSENT Commissioners Linda Slocum, Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Vizecky at 7:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes Kritzman moved, seconded by Hamernick, to approve the minutes of the regular March meeting. Approved, ayes all. Park Reports Peloguin delivered an excellent report of Madison and Jefferson Parks including photos, descriptions, user comments, observations and suggestions. Suggestions at Madison Park included adjustable basketball backstops, additional drinking fountain, more picnic tables and to resurface the existing walking path. Suggestions for Jefferson Park included to plant a wildflower garden to attract wildlife and to repair the rubber bridge on the play equipment. Ness also gave a report of Donaldson and Apple Blossom Parks. Ness provided a description of each park and reported that Donaldson was a high use park, primarily athletic use and a popular location for outdoor skating. Problems identified included trash build-up after organized activities, and goose droppings. No concerns were reported for Apple Blossom Park. Discussion Items School Facility Taskforce Recommendations Topitzhofer reported that the Richfield School District recently completed a study to review all school facilities; to establish needs of the district and how to better serve students. A committee was formed, including school staff, board liaisons, parents and City representation. A report was presented to the School Board on March 21, 2005. Included in the report were recommendations to contact the City of Richfield to consider joint use of facilities. Topitzhofer highlighted the Committee’s executive summary, which outlined two shared community use recommendations. The recommendations are driven by the School’s need to replace two existing pools with one new pool. The Committee recommended that the City consider joint use of a new indoor pool to include other community center amenities such as exercise facilities and meeting rooms. The committee proposed this new community center to be located at Richfield High School. To allow for additional parking for the community center, the Committee recommends razing Central School and possibly the bus garage. Another suggested shared use was joint repair facilities for buses. Topitzhofer indicated that there may be future review and discussion of joint use of school facilities, which may include the construction of a new community center. A concern was voiced that there may be an parking issue of the Community Center were located adjacent to Richfield High School. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. April 19, 2005 Ballfield Improvement Taskforce Recommendations Topitzhofer reported that the Ballfield Improvement Taskforce met on April 12, 2005 to discuss two new developments. The first new development involved the School District’s intention to sell Lincoln Hills School and grounds. Lincoln Hills currently accommodates Richfield’s Girls Fast Pitch with two dedicated fields. The disposal of these two fields will displace the fast pitch program, possibly as early as the 2006 season. The School District has indicated they intend to modify existing facilities at another school to accommodate girl’s fast pitch, perhaps at Richfield Middle School. The Taskforce intends to pursue funding for ballfield improvements (and possible driving range improvements) from the State of Minnesota through the next bonding bill scheduled in 2006. In order to do so, the Taskforce will have to speed up its review and present recommendations to the Community Services Commission. Their next step is to verify field usage for all baseball and softball programs. The group recommended updating the City’s Parks Master Plan. Topitzhofer agreed to include this topic at a future Commission meeting. Loaves and Fishes Proposal Topitzhofer reported that Dean Weigel, Director of Loaves and Fishes was interested in using the Richfield Community Center for a new site to distribute meals to needy residents. Topitzhofer indicated it is possible to prepare and serve meals on weekday evenings from the lower level of the building which would be a complimentary use to the existing senior dining program, but would displace the current dance program and some renters. The cost to relocate the Dance program would exceed $50,000. Loaves and Fishes dropped their request for building rental and is actively looking for an alternative site. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: • The Tax Assistance Program successfully completed over 1,000 tax returns. • The Program Guide was distributed for summer programs. • Preparations for the Urban Wildland Half Marathon are right on target/ • A joint promotion of Bike to Work Day is planned with the City of Minneapolis and 494 Commuter Services. Committee Reports Ballfield Improvement Task Force Report given in the above section. Golf Practice Facility Task Force Topitzhofer reported that Kevin Norby was contracted to complete a preliminary design to be presented to the Golf Practice Facility Taskforce on May 16, 2005. City Hall Task Force Ness provided the report. Transportation Committee Ness said that 66 th Street and Portland Avenue is being discussed. Family Friendly City Task Force Topitzhofer said that the group contracted Jay Lipe of Emerge Marketing to facilitate the development of a marketing strategy for the City. The Taskforce will conduct it’s first session with Lipe on April 28, 2005. FOWL Kritzman announced that the FOWL Dinner will be held on April 22 at the Holiday Inn on 34th Avenue. Planning Commission Hartnett provided the PC report. RCHSPC No report was given. April 19, 2005 Next Meeting Tuesday, May 17 7:00 pm, Community Center Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Hamernick to adjourn the meeting by consensus. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.