16-03 Approved Commission MinutesMinutes: March 2016
[1]
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
March 2, 2016
Crystal Community Center
Approved 4/6/16
The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by
Chairperson Nancy LaRoche. Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney,
Steve Hildre, Lori Merriam, Erin Kolb, Meredith Torres-Walsh, and Guy Mueller. Also
present were Elizabeth Dahl, Council Liaison; Scott Berggren, Brad Fortin, and Gene
Hackett from the city staff.
The new Commission members were welcomed to the group.
The minutes were approved as sent.
Ms. LaRoche reviewed the City Council work session. The meeting went well and the
Council seemed receptive to looking at ideas for the PIR and Becker Park planning.
Fundraising was also discussed. Ms. Haney said that the Commission must continue to
work with the Council so that any fundraising that is done does not take away from
allocated funds for parks. Fundraising should be in addition to budget funds and used for
a special project or to enhance a scheduled project. Ms. Merriam said at her
employment that donated funds are not counted in the budget. She would like to hear
from the Council that they will not take money away from parks if fundraising is
successful.
Park signage was discussed. Mr. Fortin said he was looking at way to standardize the
signs. Ms. Haney said she liked the wooden ones. Mr. Mueller and Ms. Kolb liked the
idea of a standard sign as it would help with branding the park system. Mr. Fortin
thought there was a way to standardize the signs but still make them look nice. He will
work up some designs and bring them to a future meeting.
The Commission reviewed and accepted the 2016 work plan.
Moved by Ms. Kolb and seconded by Ms. Merriam to recommend approval
of the 2016 work plan. Motion carried – unanimous.
Ms. LaRoche reviewed the changes to the meeting format. The reports, with the
exception of the City Council report, will be placed in the dropbox for members to review.
There will be time allowed for questions or comments but the reports will not be
reviewed individually. Mr. Hildre, as Secretary, will be a timekeeper.
Updated member books were distributed. There is some information that needs updating
and will be distributed later.
The Commission Bylaws were reviewed and revisions made. Wording was changed in
the Commission absence section; the ordinance pertaining to Commissions will be
included. The Commission will finalize the revisions at the April meeting.
Minutes: March 2016
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Ms. LaRoche announced her candidacy for City Council. She offered to resign as chair
in case anyone saw it as a conflict of interest. Members felt at this time there was no
need to resign and would revisit the question later if needed.
Scott Berggren, Recreation Supervisor, gave an overview of his program responsibilities
including youth and adult sports programs, special events and concerts. He is also
responsible for social media, the website and liaison with other community groups.
Tamzyn Peterson and Joe McCartin appeared before the Commission to request a ban
on tobacco at Twin Lake Shores Park. They have a concern about second hand smoke
and the litter that is in the park that washes onto the lake. The park is narrow so the
smoking interferes with others using the park. The current tobacco free parks policy only
prohibits tobacco in park buildings, on playgrounds and on athletic fields during
scheduled youth activities. The policy is not an ordinance so is not really enforceable.
Ms. Merriam asked if we can amend the policy to reflect certain park areas. Ms. Kolb
was in favor of not changing the policy but signage to the effect: Children at Play/No
Tobacco Use. She felt the current policy is “judgy” as it bans a legal activity. Mr.
McCartin felt that children’s health should be important and the cigarette butt litter
washing into the lake should be a concern too. He felt several of the smokers come
from The Cavanagh apartments. Ms. Kolb and Ms. Merriam thought that the Cavanagh
management should be contacted and asked them to help with the problem – either
through education or some sort of partnership. Mr. Fortin suggested making all parks
tobacco free. Ms. Kolb was not supportive of that as the Commission members are to
represent all residents including smokers. She suggested signage and more trash
containers. Ms. Merriam suggested educational pollutions signage. Ms. Haney thought
the Commission should review the entire policy because of the increase in vaping. Ms.
Hackett offered to talk to other cities regarding their policy. Additional discussion was
tabled until the April meeting.
Mr. Mueller updated the group on Crystal Fund projects. The CF will help in the
following area: Arbor Day trees, park signage, accessible swings for playgrounds,
planters on Bass Lake Road/city property.
Ms. Hackett reviewed the fundraising ideas as discussed at the last Commission
meeting. Staff is working on the Round Up program as well as the other ideas. Mr.
Mueller will work with the Crystal Fund to check out GoFundMe.
The Commission reviewed the “Naming Park Facilities” document for future use in case
larger donations are received. No changes were made at this time.
Mr. Fortin announced that 3 Rivers Parks will put a directional sign in Bassett Creek
Park for the regional trail. He will bring a drawing to the next meeting.
The Welcome Park neighborhood open house on park updates is scheduled for
Wednesday April 27 from 6:30 – 8pm.
Minutes: March 2016
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Ms. Dahl reviewed the City Council action. She thought the Commission was well
received by the Council. She updated the group on the municipal consent vote and the
next steps from there.
There was a question on the monthly report regarding re-installing the tennis board at
Becker Park. Mr. Fortin is looking at a smaller version to put up. Ms. Kolb asked about
the vandalism to the Little Free Libraries as it seems to be a continual problem. Perhaps
parks aren’t the best locations for these.
Crystal Frolics button contest will need distribution so the Commission can judge them at
the April meeting.
Upcoming events:
March 12 Light of Crystal Bowling Fundraising at Doyles
March 20 Bowling for Rocco at Doyles
May 18 Crime Prevention Fund Jail and Bail
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm.
Gene Hackett
Recorder