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2007-02 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, February 20, 2007 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gordon Vizecky, Rodney Schmidt, Michael Christian, Gary Ness, Catherine Peloquin, Barb Kritzman, Gerald Charnitz, Sarah Till, Jim Lunderby, Joe Springer Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Mike Eastling, Kristin Asher, Tom Foley Others Pete Willenbring (WSB), Joni Giese (SRF) ABSENT CSC Members Dean Johnson Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order In Vizecky’s absence, Kritzman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Member Introduction CSC members introduced themselves. Approval of Minutes Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Stormwater Management Plan City Engineer Asher introduced Willenbring, Richfield’s stormwater management consultant, who outlined Richfield’s plan. Ness asked how Richfield sits at the present time in terms of preparedness. Willenbring said that some ponds have sediment build-up and need digging out and others have some erosion. He said that there are alternatives to restore some of these holding ponds. Eastling used Veterans Park as an example; he said that some inlets and ponds were created at Vets Park to assist with the holding and natural filtering of stormwater. Eastling said that, as work has been done on holding ponds and flood control, there were concerns addressed about stormwater quality, as well. Charnitz asked about pollutants found in stormwater and its origin; Willenbring said that more pollutants are carried away than before because of the volume of the watershed. Eastling said that phosphorous has been targeted for decades and laws have been passed, including in Richfield, banning the sale of phosphorous-based fertilizer. Christian asked about the locations from which stormwater leaves the City. Eastling says that water from Richfield ends up in Minnehaha Creek, Nine Mile Creek, a pond in south Minneapolis, and Wood Lake sheds to a drainpipe along 494 to the Minnesota River. Willenbring said that feedback is sought from the CSC regarding stormwater techniques and the best, cost-effective plan. Bike Trail Plan Transportation Engineer Foley introduced Giese, a consultant working on Richfield’s bicycle trail plan. She explained the alternatives that exist for 76th Street, including boulevard tree plantings, designation of pedestrian lanes, varying sidewalk widths, etc. She asked about what the community would value most: more trees, wider streets, pedestrian paths or lanes. Foley said that the options will go to other groups for feedback, as well. Peloquin asked how this connects to the overall bike plan. Topitzhofer said that it will be the major east-west corridor through Richfield for the bike plan. Ness asked about the cost of burying utilities. Foley said that undergrounding utilities is done at the cost of the City. Eastling said that the Council and other groups consistently are in favor of undergrounding utilities, even at a great cost, through small surcharges, etc. He said that some power-line situations may be cost-prohibitive. Schmidt asked if light poles can be moved to center medians if lines are undergrounded. Eastling said that it is an option. Foley said that these options are all considered viable. Christian asked if a wide multi-use pedestrian trail could go along one side with no sidewalk on the other, but bike lanes in the street. Giese said that the corridor probably wouldn’t have enough width. Peloquin said that usage statistics would be an important component to making a decision. Topitzhofer and Eastling said that future use could be dictated by what is built. Eastling said that staff is confident that one lane in each direction for cars will be sufficient. Action Items Recreation Services Capital Improvement Plan, 2007-2012 Topitzhofer reviewed the plan, explaining to the new members that the pool renovation was paid by committing future liquor store proceeds, so several of the upcoming years do not have projects very large in scope. Peloquin moved, seconded by Ness, to recommend Council approval of the capital improvement plan. Elections/Appointments Ness moved, seconded by Kritzman, to appoint Vizecky as Chair and Christian as Vice Chair. Approved, ayes all. The following liaisons were named: Planning Commission-Springer, Community Human Services Planning Council-Till Transportation Committee-Ness, Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors-Kritzman, Celebrations Commission-Christian, City Hall TF-Ness, Ballfield Task Force-Christian, Springer, Lunderby Committee Reports Transportation Commission Kritzman provided the report. FOWL Kritzman reported that the FOWL Dinner is Friday, April 24. City Hall TF Ness provided the report. Vets Memorial TF Schmidt reported that the group is now incorporated as a non-profit organization. Planning Commission No report. Celebrations Commission Topitzhofer provided the report. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Adjournment Kritzman moved, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm. February 20, 2007 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.