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2006-09 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gordon Vizecky, Rodney Schmidt, Michael Christian, Gary Ness, Dean Johnson, Catherine Peloquin, Barb Kritzman Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Frank White, Tom Foley ABSENT CSC Members Anna Berend, Gloma Hamernick Council Liaison Fred Wroge Planning Com Liaison Kyle Hartnett Call to Order Chair Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. Approval of Minutes Johnson moved, seconded by Ness, to approve the minutes of the regular July meeting. Approved, ayes all. Additional Agenda Items 17th Avenue Renaming Transportation Engineer Foley said that the redevelopment along the Cedar Avenue corridor will necessitate renaming 17th Avenue (it will run diagonally in parts). Foley said that Cedar Parkway, Cedar Point Parkway, and Taft Parkway have been suggested. Schmidt mentioned Charles Lindberg, the WWII/Iwo Jima veteran and Richfield resident. Christian suggested asking the Richfield Historical Society about historically significant family names. Discussion Items Bicycle Plan Foley said that retiring Rep. Martin Sabo has secured federal funds for pedestrian- and bike-friendly projects in Minnesota, so staff aims to develop a preliminary bike trail plan this fall to be finalized and worked into the City’s Comprehensive Plan in 2008. He said that Richfield will have unique challenges, including gaps in network connection (crossing freeways, etc) and narrow arterial roads, but there are suggested solutions, including using parallel “collector” roads and working with neighboring municipalities and MAC. He identified different types of riders and usage; Richfield will not have the luxury of much off-road trail, so common specific destinations, like Wood Lake and Best Buy HQ, will be kept in mind; a link to the Minneapolis lake trails would be key to recreational riders. Peloquin suggested that express connections to park-and-ride bus and LRT stops should be considered. Peloquin asked about connections past Cedar Avenue; Foley said that there is a proposed underpass under Cedar to connect to Bloomington trails. Foley said that any interested bike riders will be invited to future planning sessions (a proposed planning schedule of public work sessions are included in the packet). Athletic Facility Use Policy Recreation Programs & Athletics Manager White said that several years ago, leases with youth athletic associations were discarded; in place of it, an athletic facility use policy was established. White said that a stricter enforcement of some of these policies may be necessary for the protection and maintenance of these facilities. He said that one concern is association reps driving vehicles onto the grass to deliver equipment, etc, and it may set a bad precedent for other park users, like picnic groups. Christian said that it may not be worded definitively because some events may require it. Vizecky asked if authorization could be granted for each event for which vehicles on the field would be necessary. Ness said that the organization could be asked to deal with their own coaches to enforce a policy. Topitzhofer said that the usage fees have increased by 3-5% each year, but staff is considering raising fees for groups with increased usage time, like Holy Angels. Peloquin asked how our fees compare to other communities; Topitzhofer said that we did in the past and have increased the fees 3-5% each year. White said that the fees should reflect an increase in total usage. Vizecky said that fees should reflect impact on our field and the cost of maintenance and repair. Ness said that fees should be similar to those of any similar business. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Fort Snelling Golf Course: Architects have concluded that it would not be a profitable venture as a nine-hole. Parks Master Plan: Comprehensive Guide Planning has begun; part of that will be public meetings attended by CSC members. Celebrations Commission: New logo designed. Arts Center Proposal: The Rfld Arts Commission will write grant for Richfield Arts Center. Staff encouraged the usage of existing building at Vets Park (mini-golf building) as a dedicated classroom/exhibit space. Mural: New mural is complete on south wall of Bon Auto. Painted by Willie Falwell, RHS Art Teacher. Athletic Field Usage-Lincoln and RMS: White said that the scheduling plan went well. Staff will meet with Girls Softball and Rfld Baseball to see if all scheduling went well and fields were well-utilized. Action Items FOWL Board Member Appointments Peloquin moved, seconded by Ness to appoint/reappoint Bob Dietl, John Devlin, Gordon Hanson, Jan Chorzempa and Debbie Goettel to the Friends of Wood Lake Board. Approved, ayes all. Park Reports Jefferson Park Peloquin provided the park report for Jefferson Park. Topitzhofer said that a neighborhood volunteer has interest in staffing warming house this season; staff will work with him. Christian asked about the feasibility of doing the same at Roosevelt Park; White said that it could work, pending the results of volunteers staffing Jefferson Park. Committee Reports Transportation Commission Ness provided the report. City Hall Task Force, Planning Commission & RCHSPC No report. FOWL Kritzman provided the report. Vets Memorial TF Topitzhofer provided the report. Other Berend has resigned from the CSC. Next Meeting Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Peloquin, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm. September 19, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.