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2007-06 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, June 19, 2007 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gordon Vizecky, Michael Christian, Rodney Schmidt, Gary Ness, Catherine Peloquin, Gerald Charnitz, Jim Lunderby, Joe Springer, Sarah Till, Barb Kritzman, Rodney Schmidt Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Mike Eastling Planning Com Liaison Rick Jabs Others Pete Willenbring (WSB), Rod Keith (Rfld resident) ABSENT CSC Members Catherine Peloquin Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Approval of Minutes Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to approve the minutes of the regular May meeting. Approved, ayes all. Other Items Christian commented that about a park that needs grass trimming. Discussion Items Renaming Upper Donaldson Field Richfield resident Rod Keith proposed that the upper field at Donaldson Park be renamed after the late Gordy Larson, a longtime, dedicated youth athletics volunteer. David Lufkin, an active umpire in the metro area and native of Richfield, also testified to the importance of Gordy Larson. Topitzhofer said that a group will be coming in July to discuss naming a facility after recently-deceased Ice Arena Manager Al Payne, so the CSC may want to consider a policy to make consistent decisions. Christian asked what might be built or posted at the site. Lufkin suggested a plaque on the press box at Upper Donaldson. Ness suggested that the group consider a policy regarding renaming a facility. Vizecky asked if posting a sign or plaque is a difficult task for staff. Topitzhofer said that it would not be. Jabs said that, in the past, requests were usually about renaming a whole park, but this request is different because it’s a renaming of a particular facility. Vizecky asked if the Babe Ruth organization would pay for the plaque. Lufkin thought that they could probably collect the funds. Christian asked if the family has been involved; Lufkin and Keith said that the family is supportive. Vizecky said that benches are currently dedicated with plaques. Lufkin asked about working with the City regarding size and location of a plaque. Christian asked if the group should move to rename the field or to post a plaque. Vizecky suggested making a motion to approve a policy regarding dedicating amenities within a park and suggested that the policy details could be discussed at a future meeting. Topitzhofer said that there are probably two actions to consider: the approval of a procedure and policy regarding renaming or dedicating fields and the approval of the renaming of the Upper Donaldson Field. He said that the actions could be taken in either order. Schmidt said that the policy should be in place before approving the field renaming, but a preliminary vote on the field at Donaldson could be taken. Vizecky said that a conditional approval could be moved tonight, pending the details of the policy. Schmidt moved to preliminarily approve the renaming of Upper Donaldson Field to Gordy Larson Field, pending the approval of a renaming policy at a later meeting and with the understanding that the Babe Ruth group will work with staff regarding the size and placement of the plaque, seconded by Ness. Approved, ayes all. Ness moved to consider a policy at the July meeting regarding renaming City facilities, seconded by Schmidt. Approved, ayes all. Special Public Discussion Item Richfield Lake Storm Water Project Vizecky asked if any members of the public had questions about the project. A resident asked about the cost of and reason for removing the trees along the outer moat area. Eastling reviewed the history of Richfield Lake, a marshy cattail area prior to 1985. He said that in 1985, much of the bottom was dredged, islands were formed and paths were constructed. He said that, in the mid 90’s, options were considered regarding the possibilities of using the area to construct and manage storm water that runs off Crosstown and 35W. A resident asked if the holding pond areas could be dredged out more deeply. Eastling said that the question has been asked and it may be possible. A resident asked how this would improve the wildlife habitat. Eastling said that he has been relying on Nature Center Manager Karen Shragg on that topic. Eastling said that wildlife variety is the important thing. A resident asked about the plan to maintain the area. Eastling said that the plan for the south side is still up for consideration. A resident asked if this is the only plan on the south side that has been considered; she asked if the area could be cleaned out and reconsidered before taking down many large trees. A resident asked if the bad smell will improve in the area. Eastling said that it will be a shallow lake and will have the natural characteristics of a lake. A resident asked if this is considered a lake or a holding pond. Eastling said that this has been identified as a wetland, but never had any depth to it. Vizecky asked about the water level of the channel as it relates to the lake level. Willenbring said that the level will be the same in the channel as in the inner body of water. A resident asked about the completion date. Eastling said that the project would be began and completed over this winter. Eastling said that the area will be something a bit different from a native area; he said that different maintenance considerations will arise and sentenced-to-serve crews may be more utilitzed. A resident asked if there will be more water. He said that there may be a 1% increase in total water volume, but possibly less water in some channels. A resident asked about moving the path inward. Eastling said that the DNR regulates the wetland areas considerably and wouldn’t allow inward movement of the paths. A resident asked about the cost of removing and replanting trees, especially along the south side. Eastling said that the total cost is about $1 million; the north side would be a little over half of that. He said that about 300 trees would be removed and about 175 would be replanted, particularly since many of the trees being removed are closer together than trees would be planted together. Christian said that he has heard people talk about maintenance issues quite a bit and he said that this south side project should allow for improved maintenance. Eastling said that fencing the south side was mentioned at the open house in May. Vizecky asked, for clarification, if this project would be, most likely, not a change to the smell issue. Eastling said that it is a swamp and has those characteristics, so managing it does not guarantee an improvement of smell. Residents and Topitzhofer asked if the residences closest to the ponds could be kept at a current distance from the pond. Willenbring said that this outer channel and rediverting of incoming water at the south end, counterclockwise, will be a more effective way of treating the water and filtering out suspended solids. Schmidt asked if the channel around the perimeter could be dredged in the future. Willenbring said that it could be managed in the future. A resident asked why the DNR permits the cutting down of trees and replacement with different species. Topitzhofer said that the DNR does not control the outside perimeter. Vizecky reminded the group to return for the public hearing in July regarding the issue. Kritzman said that she’d be in favor of the south side plan with a bridge and no fence. Ness asked if some kind of hedge could be an option instead of a fence. Charnitz asked if there should be a maintenance component to the plan. Eastling said that there has been clarification and coordination with utilities regarding who will perform what duties after storms. Topitzhofer asked if a written maintenance plan could be brought forward in July. Eastling agreed that it would be a good idea. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Quadrant Meetings for Comp Guide Plan: 15-20 people attended each meeting. Next step will be to define details. Memorial Day Event: Event was well-attended, great media coverage. Al Payne: Ice Arena Manager Al Payne passed away in June. Funeral will be at the Rfld High School on Sat, 6/23. Discussion Items (cont) Storm Water Comprehensive Plan Revision Eastling outlined the need for prioritization of stormwater projects. Willenbring outlined the criteria used to evaluate different projects and prioritize them. Topitzhofer asked if staff was seeking an approval of the criteria used to prioritize the projects. Motion and second to approve the stormwater prioritization plan, with the exception of Richfield Lake and Tier 1 projects to be discussed further later. Approved, ayes all. Park Reports Washington Park Till provided the report. Committee Reports Transportation Commission Ness provided the report. City Hall TF Jabs provided the report. FOWL Kritzman provided the report. Honoring All Veterans Memorial Schmidt provided the report. Planning Commission Springer provided the report. Celebrations Commission Topitzhofer provided the report. Community Human Services Planning Council Till provided the report. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield City Hall Adjournment Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm. June 19, 2007 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.