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2007-03 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gordon Vizecky, Rodney Schmidt, Michael Christian, Gary Ness, Catherine Peloquin, Gerald Charnitz, Jim Lunderby, Joe Springer Planning Com Liaison Rick Jabs Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Mike Eastling Others Pete Willenbring (WSB), Joni Giese (SRF) ABSENT CSC Members Sarah Till, Barb Kritzman Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Approval of Minutes Peloquin moved, seconded by Schmidt, to approve the minutes of the regular February meeting. Approved, ayes all. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer reported on the following: Gateway Gardens: Wood Lake’s entrance will be renovated. Discussion Items Stormwater Management Plan Topitzhofer introduced Public Works Director Eastling and Water Management Consultant Willenbring, who conducted an exercise to identify the problem areas related to stormwater drainage. Willenbring said that updating the surface water management plan involves preparing for storms of different levels, identifying flooding and drainage issues, and raising other water-related issues (fish and wildlife, etc). Eastling and Willenbring said that pond maintenance (dredging, etc) may be needed. Willenbring said that some ponds are in parks and could be identified as areas that could be further developed as recreational areas. The group identified a couple of problem areas. Ness asked what the City’s obligation is when somebody complains about the smell of a pond. Eastling said that there are some feasible fixes, like chemical additions, and the City tries to determine a reasonable response. Christian asked if there is a list of problem areas identified in the past and ranked by priority. Eastling said that this latest plan is what is left of the previous priority list, after many issues were addressed. Vizecky asked what is needed from the group at this time. Willenbring said that the group is asked to identify stormwater problem areas wherever possible. Topitzhofer said that Washington Park is a high-priority area. Lunderby said that the southwest part of Taft Park is a low area. Parks Master Plan Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reviewed the notes collected on the parks tour with Greg Ingraham. Topitzhofer said that staff will be holding neighborhood meetings to gather feedback on the parks master plan. He said that the public will provide feedback on many policy and project issues. Mitigation of lost park land Park dedication ordinances Efforts to establish more economically-accessible programs Interest in teen center, community center Charnitz said that many public centers are now more arts-oriented Charnitz said that public/private partnerships could be considered More soccer fields and other athletic facilities (cricket, 200’ ballfield, etc) Dog park Vizecky mentioned water quality issues Archery range Bike lanes on 76th Street More outdoor-education activities Ness asked when the City’s need supersedes neighborhood preferences. Vizecky said that opinions on the subject, even among Council members, are varied. Topitzhofer said that it might necessitate a policy defining a process for altering a park facility, including gathering of feedback from neighbors, but also from potential neighbors and all residents. Charnitz asked about programmed activities versus “drop in” usage. Ness said that it ends up being fairly balanced. Topitzhofer said that it depends on resource availability. Charnitz asked if there’s great demand for programmed usage. Topitzhofer said that it varies from park to park and many parks are heavily reserved while others are almost completely free play. Schmidt asked if any City ordinances dictate a park’s usage or format. Vizecky said that such an ordinance might limit flexibility. Jabs said that the different parks have been identified by type. Vizecky asked about using Public Safety records to determine real or perceived concerns about incidents of criminal activity as it relates to types of park usage. Lunderby asked if the assessment of facility needs takes into account the availability of school fields. Topitzhofer said that such an inventory would take into consideration usage of school fields. Topitzhofer said that the next public meeting will be in May for the master plan; CSC members are encouraged to attend. Park Reports Evans passed around the sign-up sheet for the 2007 park reports. Committee Reports Transportation Commission Ness provided the report. City Hall TF Ness and Jabs provided the report. FOWL FOWL Dinner is Friday, April 20. Honoring All Veterans Memorial Schmidt and Topitzhofer provided the report. Planning Commission Springer provided the report. Celebrations Commission Topitzhofer provided the report. Next Meeting Tuesday, April 17, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm. March 20, 2007 DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.