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2017.04.19 Work Session Packet Posted: April 14, 2017 City Council Work Session Agenda April 19, 2017 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter, the work session of the Crystal City Council was held at ______ p.m. on April 19, 2017 in the City Council Chambers, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, Minnesota. I. Attendance Council members Staff ____ Adams ____ Norris ____ Budziszewski ____ Therres ____ Dahl ____ Revering ____ Deshler ____ Gilchrist ____ Kolb ____ Ray ____ LaRoche ____ Elholm ____ Parsons ____ Serres II. Agenda The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items: 1. Park Master Plan update 2. City manager monthly check in 3. Constituent issues update 4. New business* 5. Announcements* * Denotes no supporting information included in the packet. III. Adjournment The work session adjourned at ______ p.m. Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the City Clerk at (763) 531- 1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov Memorandum DATE: April 10, 2017 TO: Mayor and City Council Anne Norris, City Manager FROM: John Elholm, Recreation Director SUBJECT: Park System Master Plan and Becker Park Master Plan Last fall, the City of Crystal entered into a contract with WSB & Associates, Inc. (WSB) to conduct a Park System master plan as well as a Becker Park master plan. Focus group meetings (12) were held during the month of February; that included representatives of various user groups such as sport leagues, age specific groups, and community park representatives. At the same time, questions were posed on-line to begin getting input from the general public. From these meetings and on-line feedback, concept designs (2-3) were developed and presented at a public open house on March 14. Information received at the focus groups, open house, on-line surveys and national metrics were compiled in late March. This compilation of data and updated concept maps were presented to the Crystal Park and Recreation Commission on April 5 for review and comment. The presentation that was discussed with the commission is included in this packet. Some of the photos in the presentation also have links to further information. Staff will provide additional thoughts on planning work done to date at the work session. April 5, 2017 Crystal Parks and Recreation 244 Acres of Parkland 27 Parks Potential Classification of Parks Passive (8) Neighborhood (13) Community (4) Destination (2) Crystal Parks Little to no development Have some or all of the following features: Trails Boardwalks Benches ‘Nature’ Play Area Nature Restoration Education Panels Community Gardens Passive (8) Crystal Parks and Recreation Passive Passive (8) Neighborhood (13) Community (4) Destination (2) Crystal Parks MAC Lions Soo Line Schutz Twin Lake Memory Lane Brownwood Hagemeister Pond Florida Within ½ Mile (10-Minute Walk) From Home Have some or all of the following features: No or Limited Parking (neighbors can walk to park) ‘Regular’ Play Area Small Backstop with No Groomed Infield Small Soccer Field Single Basketball Hoop Place for 4-Square, Gaga Pit, etc. Small Picnic Shelter Community Garden Neighborhood (13) Neighborhood (13) Crystal Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Passive (8) Neighborhood (13) Community (4) Destination (2) Crystal Parks Skyway Broadway North Bass Lake Twin Oak Iron Horse Cavanagh Forest Kentucky Fair Crystal Highlands Lee Yunkers Sunnyview Large Sports and Recreation Facilities Have some or all of the following features: Parking for Larger Events Full Size Soccer Fields (1 with lights) Full Size Softball & Baseball Fields (1 of each with lights) Full-Court Basketball Medium / Large Shelters 4-Season Buildings Ice Skating / Sledding Larger Play Area Community (4) Crystal Parks and Recreation Community Passive (8) Neighborhood (13) Community (4) Destination (2) Crystal Parks North Lions Welcome Lions Valley Place Bassett Creek Specialized Facilities such as: Community Gathering (Farmer’s Market, Events, etc.) Easy Access from Bus, Light Rail, Car or Sidewalk/Trail Fully Accessible ‘Destination’ Play Area Flexible Performance Area / Lawn Water Feature / Spray Pad Refrigerated Ice Surface / Plaza During Summer Community Center Aquatic Center Destination (2) Crystal Parks and Recreation Destination Passive (8) Neighborhood (13) Community (4) Destination (2) Crystal Parks Becker Park Grogan Park Facility Assessment Community Parks Facilities that support use from outside the ‘Neighborhood’ should be located in a ‘Community’ Park. Facility Assessment Playgrounds Crystal currently has 19 Playgrounds One in each Neighborhood Park (13) One in each Community Park (4) One in each Destination Park (2) Statistically, Crystal needs 7 Playgrounds But, playgrounds should be within a ½ mile (10-minute walk) and not require pedestrians to cross an arterial road or Recommend the city have playgrounds in the same general locations as the existing 19 playgrounds Crystal currently has 1 Small Picnic Shelter (30 people) Yunkers Park (1) Some other parks have ‘sun shelters’ Recommend adding additional Small Picnic Shelters Keep the one at Yunkers Park (1) Add to other Neighborhood Parks Upgrade existing ‘sun shelters’ A great Neighborhood Park item Facility Assessment Picnic Shelters Facility Assessment Picnic Shelters Crystal currently has 4 Medium Picnic Shelters (50 people) North Lions (1) Bassett Creek (2) Lions Valley Park (1) Recommend keeping all 4 Medium Picnic Shelters North Lions (1) Bassett Creek (2) Lions Valley Park (1) All should be replaced over time Facility Assessment Picnic Shelters Crystal currently has no Large Picnic Shelters (over 100 people) Recommend adding one Large Picnic Shelter Bassett Creek (1) Possibly incorporate restrooms into building Facility Assessment Basketball Crystal currently has 14 full-sized and one ½ Court Full-Court at many Neighborhood parks Full-Court at all Community Parks ½ Court (one basket) at one Neighborhood Park Statistically, Crystal should have 4 Basketball Courts Full-court at all Community Parks (4) Full-court at Becker Park (1) Provide ½ Court (one basket) at Neighborhood Parks Facility Assessment Soccer / Lacrosse Crystal currently has 2 Full-Sized ‘Rectangle’ Fields Forest Park (1) Lions Valley Place Park (1) A Full-Sized Field is approximately 120 yards x 80 yards (2 acres) Statistically, Crystal should have 4 Full-Size Fields North Lions Park (1) – lighted (and maybe artificial turf) Bassett Creek Park (2) Forest Park (1) Smaller fields also at Community and Neighborhood Parks Facility Assessment Baseball Crystal currently has 5 Baseball Fields Grogan Park (3) – 2 of which are lighted Bassett Creek Park (1) North Lions Park (1) Crystal Youth also use Smothers Field (MAC) Statistically, Crystal should have 4 Baseball Fields Grogan Park (3) – 2 lighted Bassett Creek Park – 1 lighted May explore potential of lights at Smothers Field (MAC) instead Facility Assessment Softball Crystal currently has 7 Softball Fields Becker Park (2) – both lighted Welcome Park (3) Lions Valley Place Park (1) Bassett Creek Park (1) Statistically, Crystal should have 3 Softball Fields Welcome Park (2) – one lighted Lions Valley Place Park (1) Facility Assessment Tennis Crystal currently has 7 Tennis Courts (all lighted) Lions Valley Place Park (3) Becker (3) North Lions Park (1) Statistically, Crystal should have 5 Tennis Courts (lighted) Lions Valley Place (2) Tennis Complex (4-6) Becker Park (2) or none North Lions (1) none Facility Assessment Pickleball Crystal currently has no outdoor Pickleball Courts Recommend adding Pickleball Courts (lighted) Lions Valley Place (2-4) none Becker Park (2-4) or Pickleball Complex (6-8) North Lions Park (TBD) none Facility Assessment Disc Golf Crystal currently has 1 Disc Golf Course Bassett Creek Park Contains 15 Holes Recommend Disc Golf Course remain Expand Course to 18 Holes Facility Assessment Dog Park Crystal currently has 1 ‘Regular’ Dog Park Bassett Creek Park Recommend ‘Regular’ Dog Park remain Bassett Creek Park Move to more wooded area Possibly add small dog area Summer dog parks could remain within hockey rinks Facility Assessment Sledding Hills Crystal currently has 2 Sledding Hills Lions Valley Place Park North Lions Park Recommend keeping both Sledding Hills Lions Valley Place Park North Lions Park Recommend all sledding locations have heated buildings and be co-located with ice skating Facility Assessment Ice Skating Rink Crystal currently has 5 Parks with Ice Skating Lions Valley Place (Community Park) Welcome (Community Park) Broadway Park Iron Horse Park Twin Oak Park Facility Assessment Ice Skating Rink Statistically, Crystal should have 2 Ice Skating Areas Lions Valley Place (Community Park) Welcome Park (Community Park) Broadway Park – remove Iron Horse Park - remove Twin Oak Park - remove Add North Lions Park (Community Park) - due to sledding Recommend all skating locations have heated buildings Becker Park could also have ‘special’ skating opportunity Facility Assessment Heated ‘Warming House’ Buildings Crystal currently has 8 ‘Warming House’ Buildings Lions Valley Place (Community Park) Welcome (Community Park) North Lions (Community Park) Bassett Creek (Community Park) Broadway Park Crystal Highlands Park Forest Park Twin Oak Park Facility Assessment Heated ‘Rentable’ Community Buildings Recommend having 4 ‘Rentable’ Community Buildings Lions Valley Place (Community Park) – replace Welcome (Community Park) - replace North Lions (Community Park) - replace Bassett Creek (Community Park) - replace Broadway Park – remove - replace with a picnic shelter Crystal Highlands Park – remove - replace with a picnic shelter Twin Oak Park – remove - replace with a picnic shelter Forest Park – remove Facility Assessment Destination Parks ‘Specialized’ facilities that support use from both inside and outside Crystal should be located in a ‘Destination’ Park Features that provide a significant draw Hub of activity throughout the day – all year long Can accommodate large community events & groups Accessible from light rail, bus, car, trail, etc. Facility Assessment Performance Area Crystal currently has 1 Performance Area / Building Located on edge/corner of park Contains one large ‘specialty’ building with stage Recommend retaining a Performance Area Improve location and type of performance area Incorporate a covered area near the performance area Flexible space for concerts as well as other community events Great lawn would allow for picnics and impromptu activities Facility Assessment Special Community Building Recommend replacing the ‘Specialty’ Building Replace with a 4-Season Building with Restrooms Uniquely designed to compliment other park features Warming house in winter Potential rentable space in summer Potential Concession Stand and/or Skate Rental Area Facility Assessment Destination Play Area Crystal currently has no destination play area Recommend adding a destination play area Could be fully accessible to wheelchairs Would be larger than other Crystal play areas Could incorporate unique/artistic designs and features Facility Assessment Water Feature Crystal currently has no ‘non-pool’ water feature Recommend adding a ‘child-friendly’ fountain Located at Becker Park Could be in multiple locations on site rather than one splash pad Could be motion activated Could have sections stay ‘on’ Could include colored lights within fountain Would provide white noise to dampen noise from road Could be a way to bring artistic elements into the park Facility Assessment Refrigerated Ice Crystal currently has no refrigerated ice Recommend adding a refrigerated ice sheet Located at Becker Park Would allow for skating 4-5 months of the year Would be located on concrete in the central plaza Would be a community gathering area in the summer Could be covered with a fabric roof to keep sun off the ice and provide shade in the summer Facility Assessment Items Not Fully Reviewed Yet Community Gardens Citywide Trail System Neighborhood Park Amenities Volleyball / Bean Bag / Bocce Ball Potential New ‘Non-Traditional’ Activities Sepak takraw Tuj lub Badminton Others? What are the next steps? City Council Update (April – early May) Prepare Draft Master Plan Document (April – June) Include clear vision of parks/trails for the City of Crystal Present draft plan to PRC & City Council Present draft plan to the public for additional input Prepare Draft Becker Park Master Plan (April - June) Refine concept plans for the park Present draft concept plans to PRC & City Council Present draft plan to the public for additional input Prepare Final Master Plan Documents (June – July) CITY MANAGER WORK PLAN MONTHLY CHECK IN – APRIL 2017 Goals: - Operational planning to be sure staff work plans achieve Council priorities o Monthly check in with Council o Constituent Issues – prompt response and resolution – on-going (currently 1 being monitored) - Advocacy on Council policies o Include staff recommendations on staff reports – on-going - Budget Financial Management – continue work towards fiscally sound and stable financial policies and practices o Long term financial planning:  Pool bonds paid  Last phase of street and alley reconstruction using special assessments – April 19 hearing on Phase 16 o Year end reports reviewed at March work session o 2018 budget previewed at April 13 work session - Strategic leadership for achievement of Council goals o Thriving Business Climate  City Code Review Task Force has completed its review; staff now reviewing Code for proposed changes to City Council (first reading of Chapter 6 in March)  EDA created working group for opportunity areas – results are basis of 2017 EDA Work Plan  Contract for updating of Bass Lake Road awarded 4/4/17 o Create Strong Neighborhoods  Community Outreach Task Force established and members appointed – Crystal Masquerade Ball a success  Bassett Creek regional bike trail in progress  Master park planning underway with consultant – initial findings presented to Parks & Recreation Commission 4/5/17, to Council 4/19/17  Railroad Quiet Zones – approval process underway  Phase 16 street reconstruction and last phase of alley reconstruction underway o Fiscally sound and stable policies and procedures – see above