2009.11.04 PRC Minutes
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Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
Minutes
November 4, 2009
The Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at
7:08 p.m. by Chairperson Lori Merriam. Commission members in attendance
were: Ms. Josephs, Ms. Haney, Mr. Lehnertz, Ms. Kalvik, Mr. Mueller, Mr.
Schuneman, and Mr. Jungroth. Also present were, Ms. Moore, Council Liaison;
Mr. Rauen and Ms. Hackett from the city staff. Also in attendance were Bill
O’Reilly representing the bike race and residents representing interest in
expanding the disc golf course.
The Minutes were approved as corrected.
The Monthly Reports were given. A new format was discussed. It was
suggested that instead of printing copies for all, that the reports be shown on the
overhead projector. In the Activity Report, the programs will be listed at the end
of their season with registration numbers and an evaluation. This new format will
start in January 2010.
Ms. Merriam gave the Chairperson Report. Mr. Mueller has given his resignation
to the City Council. Ms. Merriam and all the Commission members thanked him
for his hard work and dedication to the Commission. Mr. Mueller announced that
he will be involved in the Crystal Fund and hopes to come back to the
Commission in the future. Ms. Merriam and Ms. Moore conducted Commission
interviews for Mr. Jungroth, Ms. Haney and Mr. Scheuneman. With Mr. Mueller’s
resignation, there are 2 openings on the Commission. A discussion was held
regarding the listing of the time listed on the agenda allotted for each item. The
time serves as a guide to give members an idea of the length of the meeting as
well as time to be spent on each item so the agenda moves along. The times
can be altered if the discussion is continuing or the item can be tabled for
discussion later. Ms. Merriam told the Commission of letters written by children
that are posted at City Hall. A couple of the letters mentioned safe parks. Ms.
Hackett will see if she can get copies of the letters for the December meeting.
A suggestion was made to offer a birthday party package with West Metro Fire to
offer a fire truck to attend birthday parties at the CCC. Staff will check with West
Metro to see if they are interested.
Ms. Hackett informed the Commission of the Memory Lane Pond neighbors offer
to plant and take care of the garden by the sign.
Moved by Mr. Lehnertz and seconded by Mr. Jungroth to recommend
Approval of the Memory Lane neighbors offer to care for the
plantings at the memory Lane sign. Motion carried – unanimous .
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Ms. Merriam and Ms. Hackett will attend the November EQC meeting tot alk
about the Adopt a Park program.
A review of the dog park sub committee meeting was given. The citizen group is
organized and ready to help. Mr. Rauen outlined the proposed site plan at
Bassett Creek Park. Ms. Hackett said that this item is on a future work session
agenda for the City Council before having a neighborhood meeting.
Moved by Ms. Josephs and seconded by Mr. Mueller to fully support
the creation of a permanent dog park in Crystal. Motion carried –
unanimous.
The Commission discussed the disc golf expansion. Currently there are 12 holes.
Expansion areas include the wooded area along Brunswick and the Highway 100
sound wall area. The sound wall area may not be available as MNDOT has not
turned the property back to the city yet. Parking may be an issue as an
expanded course will attract more users. The disc golf group proposed to open
the parking lot on Brunswick and start the course there. That may not be an
option as Public Works uses that parking lot as a holding facility. MR. Mueller
suggested looking at the Preserve area across Brunswick for additional holes.
Mr. Rauen distributed pictures of courses that had holes in the woods. The
pictures showed wearing around the tee boxes and holes as well as smaller trees
cut to make the hole pathway. The Commission talked about the need for
expansion:
o It would be a premier facility and attract more users
o A new layout would make the course more useable
o Tournament could be held
o Provides more recreation for more people at no initial cost to the
city
More discussion centered on the need to take it slow and evaluate the impact on
other park users, wildlife and the natural environment. Mr. Lehnertz suggested
using some kind of mulch around the holes and tee boxes to discourage erosion.
Other discussion concerned the proximity to the well used pathway along the
creek, being respectful to other park users, banning parking in the cul-de-sac in
Welcome, sight lines for throwing towards Brunswick Avenue. Ms. Haney
suggested looking at the area by the holding ponds instead of the woods to
expand the course.
Moved by Mr. Jungroth and seconded by Mr. Mueller to recommend
to study the expansion the disc golf course with no capital costs to the city
and upon Commission approval of the layout. Motion carried - unanimous.
A sub-Committee was named: Jungroth, Lehnertz, Scheuneman, Sodd (if she is
still interested), and Rauen. A meeting will be set for a later date. Preliminary
plans will go to the City Council before having a neighborhood meeting.
Bill O’Reilly informed the Commission of the annual bike race to be held
November 14 and 15. It will be much bigger this year. They hope to raise more
money for the scholarship committee.
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Ms. Moore gave the City Council report:
· The Council reviewed the water supply plan
· The WMFD budget was approved
· The city paid the taxes for the NEAR food shelf
· A Temporary Building Inspector was hired
· The telecommunication tower ordinance was discussed
· The virtual tour is November 12.
· $1000 was given to mediation services
There was not a Crystal Frolics report.
There was not a Crystal Business Association report:
Ms. Moore reminded everyone of the storm drain baseball program.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm.
Gene Hackett
Recorder