Loading...
17-03 Approved Commission Minutes Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes March 1, 2017 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Guy Mueller, Meredith Torres-Walsh, 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 Mr. Pascoe made a motion to approve the February minutes; Ms. Merriam seconded the motion. The minutes for February were approved as written The Chairpersons Report was given during the Bassett Creek Watershed Project update. Mr. Elholm provided background on the park system master plan, as well as a recap of the focus group meetings that were held earlier in February. Crystal Staff and consultants from WSB held meetings for Welcome, North Lions, Bassett Creek, MAC and Lions Valley Place Parks. Key users of these parks were invited to provide input on the state of the park and provide thoughts on what they would like to see in the future. The discussion on MAC Park involved Three Rivers Park District, who is taking the lead on improving that park. Discussion on Becker Park happened in June of 2016, so was not included in this round of focus group meetings. Staff and WSB consultants also held a number of focus group meetings with organizations that use the park. These groups gave us a sense on what facility needs they have now and may need in the future. The information that was collected from these meetings will be reflected in concepts being displayed at the March 14 open house. The open house will take place at the Crystal Community Center and Commission members were encouraged to attend and invite others as well. Mr. Mueller provided a recap of the February 16 open house for the Bassett Creek pond dredging project. He went over some of the favorable comments that were collected at the open house. Mr. Fortin had display boards from the meeting to help answer questions from the Commission. This project should begin early in 2018. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 1, 2017 Ms. Parsons gave the Council Report. She discussed some details of the EDA Revitalization project for the stretch of Bass Lake Road near Becker Park. The project will focus on hardscape Improvements and could begin summer of 2017. The Crystal Police Department is in the pilot stage for body cameras. The goal is to have all police with body cameras in 2018. Ms. Parsons also mentioned her visit to the Public Works building to understand how the GPS equipment worked on their vehicles. Mr. Mueller gave a Crystal Fund report. At their last meeting they approved their donations which purchased new swings, streetscape plants and trees for the Arbor Day celebration coming on May 3. He also gave a brief update on the Crystal Fund Plant Sale in May. They are actively advertising the event, and looking for volunteers. 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 reported that we are expanding our use of an on- line program for hiring staff in the Recreation Department. He mentioned that Crystal Cove was voted the best outdoor waterpark by readers of the Sun Post. Lastly, the Recreation Department staff has moved back in to their newly improved offices. Ms. Haney discussed the July Crystal Frolics event. Ms. Kolb agreed to run the Kid’s Scavenger Hunt, and Mr. Berggren will distribute Frolics Button Contest entries. Voting will take place at the April 5 Commission Meeting. Upcoming events in March include: Light of Crystal Bowling Event (11th); Masquerade Ball (18th); and Bowling for Rocco (19th). 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 April 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm – at the Crystal Community Center. John Elholm Recorder