2015.01.07 PRC Minutes Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
January 7, 2015 – Approved February 4, 2015
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Commission regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
by Chairperson Erin Kolb. Commission members in attendance were: Lori Merriam,
Lynn Haney, Nancy LaRoche, Lassana Bamba Jr., and Michael McClain. Also present
were Elizabeth Dahl, Council Liaison; Brad Fortin, and Gene Hackett from the city staff.
The minutes were approved as sent.
Ms. Kolb gave the Chairperson’s Report. The 2015 roster will be updated and put in the
dropbox. She gave her priorities for 2015:
1. Review procedures for utilizing city park facilities
2. Making park and recreation information more accessible on line
3. Be advocates for funding park upkeep and maintenance projects.
4. Educate the Council and others as to the need for keeping our park facilities in good
repair.
5. Be respectful of everyone’s time and try to keep the meetings to 90 minutes.
The Commission discussed staff budget preparation and how to better educate
themselves on budget to be better informed when talking to the Council. Ms. Hackett
will put together a brief Budget 101 presentation for the February meeting.
The Commission discussed outdoor meeting locations:
May 13 Forest Park (Arbor Day and Shingle Creek Watershed Clean-up). Try to
get the school involved.
June 3 Lions Soo Line Park (Community Garden)
July 9 Yunker Park
August 6 Cavanagh Park
September 3 Broadway Park
Commission members discussed organizing sub-committees:
Website Review: Lassana, Erin, Steve, Nancy
Catering: There will not be a sub-committee; the Commission will review this information
as a whole. Research will be done as to other city policies, the City Attorney will be
contacted regarding city policies and other groups could be invited to give input on their
specific needs.
The Commission discussed 2015 work plan ideas. Ongoing, carry over and new ideas
were discussed and reviewed. Ms. Hackett will put together the draft plan for review at
the February meeting.
Commission members have “homework” for the February meeting. Long Range plan
items were listed on an excel spreadsheet in the dropbox for Commission members to
rank and prioritize. This will help staff plan for the PIR 2016 – 2020 budget.
Minutes: January 2015
[1]
Commission members were reminded of the City Council work session on March 12.
The agenda for the meeting will be discussed in February and finalized in March.
Commission members discussed the Winterfest event. Attendance was great. Getting a
different Santa was suggested as he didn’t interact with the children as well as other
ones in the past.
Staff gave the monthly reports, highlighting major activities. The Recreation report will
be put in the dropbox.
Ms. Dahl gave to City Council report. The January meeting was swearing in of the new
Council and appointments.
The Frolics Committee does not meet until January 26th.
There was no report from the Crystal Business Association.
Ms. Dahl asked about the bulletin board for Yunker Park as the Crystal Fund said they
might fund it. Information was sent to Steve last fall and no other action was taken.
Ms. Haney said there was a negative opinion of the pool on Yelp. There is only 1
comment and it was given in 2011. She suggested that others post comments as Yelp
is often used by others when they are searching for things to do.
A suggestion was made to try a dog swim in the pool on the last day of the season. Ms.
Hackett will suggest that to Mr. Minnick.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.
Gene Hackett
Recorder
Minutes: January 2015
[2]