17-02 Approved Commission Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
February 1, 2017
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Guy Mueller, Mark Novak, Erin Kolb,
Lori Merriam, David Pascoe and Andy Leipold. Also present were Olga Parsons from the City
Council; and Scott Berggren, Brad Fortin and John Elholm from the city staff.
There was no public comment
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the January minutes; Ms. Merriam seconded the
motion. The minutes for January were approved as written
There was no Chairpersons Report
Mr. Elholm gave an update on the park system master plan. He provided a brief synopsis of the
process to the new commission members. Focus group meetings have been set for February 15,
16 and 17. There will be meeting with user groups such as soccer and baseball, as well as
specific park meetings for Bassett Creek, Lions Valley Place, North Lions and Welcome Parks. A
number of individuals will be contacted for the park meetings, however the Commission was
asked to help provide additional names for these parks. Mr. Elholm also mentioned that we will
be holding an open house on Tuesday, March 14 at the Crystal Community Center.
The Commission had a discussion about a potential Park System Tour. They discussed having it
on June 21st starting at 5:45 pm. Similar to 2016, they would like to visit parks outside the
Crystal System to see what other cities are doing.
Mr. Mueller discussed the possible dredging of Bassett Creek pond in 2018. There are many
aspects of the project that need to be planned, but the hope is someday to have the pond
stocked with fish. There will be an informational meeting about the project on February 15 at
the Heathers Manor.
Ms. Parsons gave the Council Report. She discussed some details on the Crystal Ball to be held
in March. They are taking nominations for “Good Neighbors”; winners will be announced at the
Crystal Ball. The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Bowling fundraiser rose over $2600. There is also a
new private engineering building moving into the southern part of Crystal.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 February 1, 2017
Mr. Mueller gave a Crystal Fund report which included a brief update on the Crystal Fund Plant
Sale in May. It was discussed that instead of soliciting team leaders to care for plants leading
up to the sale, that people could drop their plants off at the Crystal Community Center the day
before the sale (May 19).
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both made reference to information reported in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave a brief Director’s report. He discussed some temporary fixes to the north
parking lot at the Crystal Community Center that would allow closer access for Seniors. The
long term fix would be reconfiguring the entire lot. Mr. Elholm talked about our upcoming
hiring season for the pool and other summer staff. He also mentioned that the Parks &
Recreation Department has signed up to be an agency member for MRPA. This membership
includes membership for the commission. There was discussion on the annual tree board
meeting, which will take place on April 5 at 6:30 pm; prior to the regular Commission meeting.
In Community Reports, Ms. Haney discussed the Halfway Happy Hour hosted by the Light of
Crystal on February 15. She also referenced the next Crystal Frolics meeting which will take
place on February 20 at the VFW.
Mr. Pascoe made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Merriam seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for March1, 2017 at 7:00 pm – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder