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2005-02 CSCFebruary 15, 2005 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION JOINT MEETING w/CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Richfield Community Center PRESENT Commissioners Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Dean Johnson, Michael Christian, Ron Schwartz Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, John Stark (Com Dev Mgr) Others Russ Susag (Golf Task Force), Kevin Norby (Herfort-Norby Architects) Planning Commission Liaison Kyle Hartnett ABSENT Commissioners Barb Kritzman, Linda Slocum, Rodney Schmidt, Anna Berend, Gloma Hamernick, Catherine Peloquin 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 Ness moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Cedar Point Redevelopment Update Stark talked about the area adjacent to the airport, where homes were removed and others have been identified as inside zones identified as eligible for mitigation due to low-frequency noise (homes and businesses have been bought out in this zone). An architect was hired to help develop a plan for a combination of retail, commercial, green space and multi-family residences. A linear green space will be considered to connect Taft Park with the center of the development at 66th St. and 18th Ave, as well as connections to regional spaces like Lake Nokomis and the Mall of America. Topitzhofer and Stark told the group that this plan will continue to change and will come back to the CSC. Topitzhofer said that there will be some park mitigation opportunities because of a small piece of Taft Park that will be affected. Hartnett said that the plan has received great support from residents in this area. Action Items (no action possible due to lack of quorum) Contract with Herfort-Norby Golf Course Architects Topitzhofer said that the Golf Facility Task Force considered space, visibility, proximity to homes and other factors in deciding that Vets Park was the only viable location and an irons-only driving range is the only feasibly facility type. With CSC and Council approval, golf architects Herfort-Norby will develop a plan. Susag said that the group visited many different types of facilities and determined that the irons-only range at Gross is similar to what could be done in Richfield. He said that the facility may qualify for a grant intended to promote access to golf facilities by minorities and urban youth. Christian asked about gathering feedback from neighbors. Topitzhofer said that this would occur when plans were more concrete. Also, he said that a member of the task force lives in the neighborhood and has assessed some neighborhood sentiments. Schwartz asked if the group considered wetland restrictions and the effects on the project. Susag & Norby said that these considerations have been part of the process and can be respected without preventing the project from proceeding. Schwartz said that more environmental impact studies would be prudent. Ness asked why Taft Park isn’t being considered. Topitzhofer said that it wasn’t possible to vacate the road around the north end of the park and the space was a constraint because the park is partly on Metropolitan Airports Commission land. Ness asked how the project would be funded considering the capital funds already committed. Topitzhofer said that capital funds could still be a source, as well as State bonding funds. Ness asked when the facility could open. Susag said that 2006 would be the earliest realisitic opening. Ness asked how mini-golf would be affected. Topitzhofer said that no decisions have been made about the mini-golf facility. Susag said that the maintenance requirements of the mini-golf course may help decide its future. Christian asked if there are other irons-only ranges not attached to a full course. Norby didn’t know of one. Topitzhofer said that a feasibility study would examine the viability of a stand-alone range. Schwartz said that a driving range might only be one piece of a larger golf facility that might include a practice green or a new putting course. Ness said that the widening of Portland Avenue should be part of any planning. Motion and second were made to recommend by consensus Council approval of a contract with Herfort-Norby. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. February 15, 2005 New Members Vizecky introduced Schwartz (Peloquin absent) Election of Chair & Vice Chair Topitzhofer reported on the following: Liaison Appointments The following liaison appointments were unofficially made: Golf Practice Facility Task Force (Schwartz), Planning Commission (Peloquin) These, and other appointments, will be made official at the March meeting. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: ? Youth & Family Survey: 150 surveys have been given. Will be given in Spanish at Assumption Church. ? Park Inspection Reports: Sign up sheet was passed around. ? Winter Family Fun Day: Good attendance, warm weather. Discussion Items (continued) 2006 CIB, 2007-2011 CIP Topitzhofer presented the plan. He said that the plan has changed very little (no items have been revised for the current year). Other than fixed items like the internal pool loan (through 2010) and the annual park maintenance item, other items have been overdue major repairs. Vizecky asked about Lincoln Park. Topitzhofer said that this is Phase II of the ballfield replacement in the wake of the airport redevelopment and may qualify for State bonding money. Ness asked about Richfield Lake play equipment. Topitzhofer said that the hope is that funds will come from the redevelopment of the Richfield Lake area for that park. Committee Reports Ballfield Improvement Task Force No report was given. Golf Practice Facility Task Force No report was given (see agenda item above). City Hall Task Force Ness provided the report. Transportation Committee Ness said that 66th Street and Portland Avenue is being discussed. Family Friendly City Task Force Topitzhofer said that the group plans to hire a marketing consultant and share the strategy around the City. FOWL Evans said 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. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 15, 7:00 pm, Community Center Monday, March 28, 6:00 pm, City Hall (Joint CSC/PC meeting) Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Johnson to adjourn the meeting by consensus. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm.