2009.01.07 PRC Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
Minutes
January 7, 2009
The Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Lori Merriam. Commission members in attendance were:
Ms. Haney, Mr. Jungroth, Mr. Gentry, Ms. Josephs, Mr. Lehnertz, Mr. Mueller and
Ms. Kalvik. Also present were, Ms. Moore, Council Liaison and Mr. Mathisen, Mr.
Rauen and Ms. Hackett from the city staff. Also present was Chuck Flanders from
the Public Works Department.
Ms. Josephs and Ms. Moore were welcomed to the Commission. Introductions were
made.
The minutes were approved as sent.
Mr. Flanders talked with the Commission regarding renovating the park signs. The
old park signs, are very nice, but take a lot of maintenance and upkeep. Three signs
were refurbished last year and 3 are scheduled for this year. Mr. Rauen informed
the Commission of some possible solutions/alternatives for the park signs. He would
like them to have a similar shape with the size varying depending on the park size.
They would be more vandal resistant and use lower maintenance materials. Mr.
Rauen suggested adding the park rules to the sign and eliminating the additional
signage. The Commission had the following thoughts:
· Thought the rules would be distracting – the park signs should be more of a
welcome than a rule sheet.
· The park name may get lost if the rules were added.
· Thought that a city motto may be more fitting: “City of Parks”
· Wanted consistency in design if possible
· Suggestion to update the rule signs with the same format/shape as the new
park signs
· Would like to see a mock-up of the new signs.
Mr. Rauen and Mr. Flanders will continue to look at ideas and bring something back
to the Commission next month.
The monthly reports were reviewed, highlighting major activities.
Ms. Merriam reviewed the 2008 work plan with the Commission. Ideas were
discussed for the 2009 work plan. Having only 2 committees was discussed – the
Promotions and Sponsorship Committees would be combined. The preliminary plan
will be reviewed and finalized at the February meeting.
over
The Commission continued to finalize the Long Range Plan for Lions Valley Place
Park. Mr. Rauen reviewed the phasing in of the capital expenditures. Discussion
was held concerning implementing the winter facility idea on an earlier timetable.
This was discussed considering drastic budget cuts looming, that it may make sense
to develop all Crystal’s winter facilities at one site. Additional discussion was held
on the following:
· 2009/2010/2011 PIR (Capital Improvement) budget may be drastically
reduced meaning that other park projects around the city would not be
funded so this could be done.
· Should we really only have skating rinks at 1 location
· Maintenance staffing implications
· Should the Commission look at implementing the Long Range plan when
funding may only be available to maintain what the city currently has.
The Commission asked Mr. Rauen to update the LVP park layout for further
discussion in February.
The Becker Park Long Range Plan was moved to another meeting.
The Commission decided to highlight a section of Crystal (Northeast area) in the
Park and Recreation brochure.
The Winter outdoor event will be held on February 8. These Commissioners offered
to help with the event: Ms. Haney, Ms. Merriam, Mr. Jungroth, Mr. Mueller, Ms.
Kalvik, and Ms. Josephs.
The 2009 meeting dates were reviewed. The July meeting will be July 8.
Ms. Moore gave the City Council report:
· 2009 appointments to various Commissions were made
· Alley project was approved
· Budget meetings will be held over the next few months to consider possible
reductions.
There was not a Crystal Frolics report:
Mr. Jungroth gave the Crystal Business Association report:
· The group is trying to refine their purpose and direction
The meeting was adjourned at 8:38pm.
Gene Hackett
Recorder