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2007-10 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, October 17, 2007 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gordon Vizecky, Gary Ness, Jim Lunderby, Sarah Till, Barb Kritzman, Gerry Charnitz, Joe Springer, Catherine Peloquin Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Frank White, Kristin Asher, Mike Eastling Planning Com Liaison Rick Jabs Others Pete Willenbring (WSB), Joe Hoover (resident), Two representatives from HR Green ABSENT CSC Members Rodney Schmidt, Michael Christian Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Approval of Minutes Lunderby moved, seconded by Ness, to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting. Approved, ayes all. Other Items Lincoln Park Neighbor Joe Hoover, 7627 Harriet Ave, approached the CSC to inquire about plans for renovating Lincoln Fields. He said that the buildings are in disrepair, there are no playfeatures, signage is homemade or in bad shape, and no renovation plans have appeared in recent CSC minutes. He said that Woodlawn Terrace, the trailer park, would be a good candidate for vacation to reclaim for the park. He said that he urged the CSC to be strict in their adoption of a renaming policy, but the door should not be closed on the possibility; he also said that naming rights should not be for sale. He also asked about losing park land and if it’s always replaced with park land. Topitzhofer said that a task force, led by Jabs, studied the ballfield renovation after the airport took the east fields and there has been careful consideration of the renovation options for Lincoln, which is planned. Kritzman said that all park land that is taken does have to be mitigated with land, which is often not useful as park land, but can be sold in the future to fund park projects. Discussion Items 75th and 76th Street Concept Plan Asher said that plans are in the works to take advantage of a new sanitary sewer line running across the City. The reps from HR Green, a planning consultant, presented the group with some ideas for trail and green-space options for the corridor. HR Green presented a number of options with various widths of the corridor divided up for center green spaces, pedestrian walkways, bike trails, multi-use pedestrian path and smaller roadway, etc. He said that feedback is requested from the CSC as they prepare for the public open houses. Topitzhofer noted that some of the green space along the north side of 76th would be like other right-of-way spaces where the resident would maintain it. Charnitz asked about the possibility for providing more parking at Roosevelt; HR Green said that it is an option, possibly with some on-street cutouts for parking and other options. Vizecky said that it will be a great opportunity to gain an amenity. Jabs said that the option that narrows 76th Street adds significant green space. Hoover asked about the need for additional ponding; HR Green said that this option is actually a decrease in impervious surface, so it would not require more ponding; they also proposed the idea of physically dividing 76th Street to truly redefine the character of the road as more residential and pedestrian-friendly and not as a major City arterial. Charnitz said that the grid pattern spreads the traffic out and no streets are extremely heavy; closing 76th Street may pick up the volume of 77th Street. HR Green said that the open houses will be about gathering ideas and some preliminary feedback. Athletic Facility Use and Charge Policy White presented three primary issues: Late submittal of background check forms: Organizations need to submit forms in order to use the fields. Vizecky asked if action was needed; he said that the CSC could vote to support such a policy. Late submittal of game schedules: If groups don’t submit schedules, the fields will not be prepared. Jabs said that this is not an unreasonable request of athletic organizations. Growing number of weekend tournaments: White said that weekend tourneys require much staff time and preparation; he said that a limit could be put on the number of weekend tournaments. Jabs said that a month’s notice is not too much to ask. Ness said that staff costs could be written in, including further penalties for late submittal of requests. Vizecky said that the CSC is, by consensus, supportive of said changes in policy for all three issues. Action Items Surface Water Comprehensive Plan Eastling presented a summary plan identifying problem areas in the City (prone to flooding, etc). After discussing several problem areas, Vizecky said that the group is prepared to vote on the plan if the presentation is complete. Peloquin moved, seconded by Springer, to approve the Surface Water Comprehensive Plan as presented. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items (cont) Parks Master Plan Topitzhofer outlined some of the draft plans for the Parks Master Plan. He called for the group’s reaction to the site plans that were distributed, although nothing is being finalized. Augsburg Park: Loop trail goes around hockey rink now, “new community center site”’ wording, tree plan (new oaks replace ones that die). Donaldson Park: Full-sized lighted field in a tight area (Ness thought it might be controversial…group suggested leaving it in for public feedback), addition to concessions building, Lincoln Park: Four fields with concession area and contained playground in middle or three fields with more open space, bigger playground. Roosevelt Park: Parking improvements without taking out homes, two soccer practice fields, removed rink, expanded playground. Taft Park: Two additional fishing piers, girls softball field (for option 2), tree plantings and picnic shelters. Vets Park: Incorporates roundabout, dog park, additional parking for Farmers Market. Washington Park: Expanded parking lot, new practice soccer field (on regarded area), replacement of sliding hill with picnic area. Peloquin asked how these plans and suggestions take into consideration the City’s larger goals and how they reflect the City’s changing demographic and new uses of land and transportation, rather than a simple remodeling of the parks. Topitzhofer said that the consultants took feedback of that nature into consideration and the process allows for public feedback. Jabs asked about the role of the consultants. Topitzhofer said that they are also the consultants working on the City’s Comprehensive Plan and their job was to incorporate these concerns into the formation of the plan. Topitzhofer said that, beginning November 15, the plan will be rolled out for reaction from the public. Jabs said that the process probably incorporates that kind of consideration as the redevelopment and transportation components come together. Vizecky said that its not the type of plan that would be too heavy with mission statements. Peloquin said that even statements about why these improvements are needed would fill in that piece. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on a request from a neighbor of Fremont Park for new basketball standards (he shared a letter with the group and asked them to keep it in mind in January when the capital plan is assembled. Action Items (cont) Facility and Amenity Dedication Policy Topitzhofer said that Charnitz drafted a great policy and edits were made to reflect the fact that it’s a Facility and Amenity Dedication Policy and is not actually openly permissive to permanent renaming. He said that the plan is clear about allowing the installation of a dedication marker on a City site. Charnitz said that the policy had been narrowed to recreational facilities, rather than City facilities. Vizecky said that some statement should be made that allows for some kind of revocation of a dedication in the event that a person’s character is somehow tarnished in the future; he asked if the questionable behavior should be explicitly defined or should there be a more vague definition of immoral behavior (or questionable character) to be defined later by a determining committee. Topitzhofer said that the lines referring to promotion of sexual behavior and alcohol or tobacco use could be combined into a more general statement. Charnitz said that the nominating parties would be responsible for all related costs. Vizecky asked if there should be a nominal application fee to encourage valid submissions. Topitzhofer suggested substantiating the fee by tying it to staff time, criminal background checks, etc. The group agreed by consensus to take action on a revised version of the policy. Committee Reports The following reports were given: Transportation Commission (Ness) City Hall Task Force (Jabs) FOWL (Kritzman) Honoring All Veterans Memorial (Topitzhofer) Planning Commission (Springer) Celebrations Commission (Topitzhofer) Community Human Services Planning Council (Till) Next Meeting Tuesday, November 20, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Adjournment Peloquin moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:31 pm. October 17, 2007 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.