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2005-06 CSCJune 21, 2005 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION JOINT MEETING w/CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gary Ness, Ron Schwartz, Catherine Peloquin, Michael Christian, Rodney Schmidt, Gordon Vizecky, Anna Berend Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans Others Susan Rosenberg (City Council), Neighbors of Jefferson Park, Russ Susag (Golf Task Force Member) Council Liaison Fred Wroge ABSENT CSC Members Barb Kritzman, Gloma Hamernick, Dean Johnson Planning Com Liaison Kyle Hartnett Call to Order The meeting was called to order by CSC Chair Vizecky at 7:04 p.m. Special Agenda Item Jefferson Park Softball/Soccer Field Topitzhofer addressed a group of residents who had assembled with questions about Jefferson Park who were responding to a flyer that had been circulated about work at Jefferson Park. Topitzhofer said that the work being done involved the conversion of a neighborhood softball field to a combination softball/soccer field. He said that the field would be used for practice only and would be a one-net, half field. He said that the backstop will still be there for softball play. A resident asked if any other improvements were being planned. Topitzhofer said that turfing the softball infield was the only change. A resident asked if the sod will replace the pitcher’s mound. Topitzhofer said that it would. He said that the soccer net would be positioned opposite the backstop. A resident said that the agrilime was in good condition and wondered why the soccer field wasn’t put in the outfield. Topitzhofer said that it wouldn’t have been enough area. A resident asked if there was a schedule for the field. Topitzhofer said that practices are first-come, first-serve and are not scheduled. He said that the field may only be used on a couple of weeknights. A resident asked about the season of usage. Topitzhofer said that softball/baseball/soccer typically end in late July and the youth don’t usually have a fall season. Wroge asked if this reflected an increased demand for soccer fields and asked why the fall wouldn’t be expected to be busy. Topitzhofer said that the usage of some of the dedicated soccer fields is getting too heavy, so the hope was to divert some of the usage to the neighborhood parks. A resident said that litter has been left in the street after athletic activities and she anticipates more litter. A resident said that traffic has been getting bad in the neighborhood and wonders if this will worsen traffic. A resident said that the 10:00 pm curfew is not observed. A resident asked if Sheridan Park or other parks would have had a better buffer between the park and the neighbors. A resident asked if the soccer nets would be permanent. Topitzhofer said that they would be anchored down. Ness asked if there had been any consideration given to using school fields to accommodate soccer practices. Topitzhofer said that school fields are already being used. A resident said that the corner of 67th and Thomas is often used for football practice and wonders if that would impair football practices. A resident said that this work will convert the field to soccer and the grass infield probably won’t be used as much for softball and baseball. A resident asked if the field could be returned to a softball field. Topitzhofer said that it is reversible. A resident said that he has never seen people practicing soccer there and wonders if there is a need. A resident asked if the CSC could consider proceeding with the work based on the concerns expressed by the neighborhood. Peloquin asked if many of the residents use the softball field; she said that the change seems relatively minor. Two residents said that the park may not be able to accommodate more activity. A resident said that everyone attending seems to agree that changes to this neighborhood park should be the decision of the neighborhood. Two residents worried about soccer balls getting kicked out of the park and kids chasing them into the street. Schwartz thanked the residents for coming and said that the changes to the neighborhood park without consent from the neighborhood seems to be the main issue. A resident asked if the CSC would consider approving the cancellation of the work. Vizecky said no, it would be premature to discontinue the work, which had been discussed as part of the capital improvement plan process. He said that there will be follow-up communication with the neighborhood and more issues can be discussed in the future. Ness said that changes to neighborhood parks often create concern from immediate neighbors, but the changes have to be considered for all of Richfield. Topitzhofer said that many good issues were raised, particularly related to traffic, and said that returning the ag-lime to the field should be seriously considered. Berend and Vizecky expressed surprise over the anger that is often generated by changes to Richfield’s parks. Approval of Minutes Ness moved, seconded by Berend, to approve the minutes of the regular May meeting. Approved, ayes all. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. June 21, 2005 Park Reports Taft & Heredia Parks Schwartz reported on Heredia Park, a three-acre neighborhood park by City Hall. He said that it’s a small neighborhood park that serves the surrounding residential area. He suggests a park-rules sign on the north side of the park as well. He reported on Taft, Richfield’s primary adult athletic complex that serves more than just the neighborhood. He said that the park looks a bit dated; a few fences could be higher. He wonders if the park could accommodate more girls’ softball games. Wroge asked if it was leased land. Topitzhofer said that the northern tip is leased from MAC. Schwartz said that some of the open space might be utilized more for soccer. He said that the walking trail could use more benches and be a bit more welcoming. Schmidt asked if the use of Heredia Park to expand City Hall was allowable. Wroge said that the City Attorney confirmed that the park could be taken for that use. Veterans Memorial Park Berend reported on Vets Park, a 108-acre community park that is home to the Ice Arena, Pool, Mini-Golf and nearly two miles of walking trail. She said that the trails were in pretty good shape (some broken pavement) and the playground was, and always is, well-used. She said that mini-golf was very busy, but some of the plants look dead and the waterfall wasn’t running (Topitzhofer said that it was being repaired). She noticed that there is a barricade at one end of a damaged area, but not another. She said that the drinking fountain sticks in the “on” position. She said that the Farmers Market continues to be a popular attraction. Action Items Golf Practice Facility Preliminary Plan Susag said that he has great appreciation and admiration for the work done by the CSC. He said that the task force was formed to address the need to replace the Rich Acres Golf Course driving range. He said that the task force considered the types of facilities and the locations in Richfield that might work. He said that the CSC and Council approved a contract with the golf course architects, who drew up some plans and site maps for an irons-only range at Vets Park, immediately north of the American Legion parking lot hitting to the west. He said that, while there may be spaces for nets and domes, this design was considered the most affordable and viable. Schwartz and Topitzhofer distributed a cost estimate of about $400,000, which didn’t include design fees (typically 8%, they said) and the purchase of some equipment. Schwartz said that there might be some other cost considerations, including removable nets. Susag said that the plan being presented is, with some possible minor revisions, the one being presented as the most viable. Schwartz said that Al Payne made some operating suggestions, including constant staffing, which would require a building with bathrooms. Susag said that the next step will be a market analysis study, considering operating expenses, nearby competition, seasonal operation, area and nature of customer base, etc. He asked the CSC to consider recommending Council approval of a market feasibility study. Topitzhofer clarified that only the first three parts of the cost estimates would be construction costs of the driving range. Peloquin asked if women and children might be allowed to use woods. Schwartz said that the group considered that issue, possibly with the use of restricted-flight balls, and will consider it in the market analysis study. Peloquin said that the marketing study should have been done first and now, it’s necessary to conduct the market analysis. Peloquin moved, seconded by Ness, to recommend Council approval of a marketing analysis for the facility. Approved, ayes all. FOWL Board Appointments Ness moved, seconded by Schmidt, to appoint Emily Day, Nancy Stiller and Judy Goebel to the FOWL Board. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer provided the report. Discussion Items Parks Master Plan Topitzhofer said that he has identified a possible funding source for the hiring of a consultant to assemble a plan, to be completed by the end of 2006. The group talked about considering trends in youth athletics. Special Agenda Item (continued) Jefferson Park Softball/Soccer Field Topitzhofer said that the neighborhood impact of the field conversion may have been underestimated and, if their desire to return the field to a softball field is that great, it outweighs the benefit a half-field to the youth soccer teams. Schwartz asked if a motion would be appropriate to support the Director’s decision. Topitzhofer said that he wanted to re-assess the safety issue (the soccer net close to the road) and the feeling of the neighborhood. Ness said that the nature of some parks may June 21, 2005 change, especially as the parks master plan is revised, and neighbors may have to accept that. Schwartz said that the CSC group should discuss the expectations neighbors have for the parks close to their homes. Topitzhofer said that, while staff and the CSC have the responsibility to listen to residents, they also have the responsibility to make decisions for the good of the City, even when it’s contrary to a neighborhood’s prevailing opinion. Committee Reports Ballfield Improvement Task Force Christian provided the report. City Hall Task Force Ness provided the report. Transportation Committee Ness provided the report. Family Friendly City Task Force Vizecky provided the report. FOWL No report was given. Planning Commission Peloquin provided the report. RCHSPC No report was given. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 pm, City Hall (Joint CSC/Council meeting) Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Peloquin to adjourn the meeting by consensus. Meeting adjourned at 9:26 pm.