16-08 Approved Commission Minutes
Minutes: August 2016 1
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
August 3, 2016
Hagemeister Pond Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Hagemeister Pond Park neighborhood meeting
was called to order at 7:02 pm by Chairperson Nancy LaRoche. Commission members
in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Lori Merriam, Erin Kolb, Mark Novak, Meredith Torres-
Walsh, Tom Jungroth, and Guy Mueller. Also present were Jeff Kolb, City Council;
Lei-Lani Fischer, Brad Fortin, John Elholm, John Sutter, Anne Norris, and Doug Leslin
from the city staff.
Introductions were made and Commissioner LaRoche outlined the purpose of the
neighborhood meetings.
Ms. Norris gave an update on the 42nd Ave/Rockford road construction and noted that
this is a Hennepin County Project. She informed the residents that the city will be
moving into the final phase of the city street reconstruction in 2017.
Council Member Kolb informed residents about the successful Night to Unite parties
that were held on August 2. The code review task force is working on updating city
code, and the council will be working on the 2017 budget.
Mr. Sutter reviewed various city projects including the addition of 24 new home sites in
Crystal, he gave an update on the retail area of Bass Lake Road and West Broadway.
He informed the residents about the Three Rivers Park District’s Bassett Creek regional
trail that is coming through Crystal that will connect Worth Park to French Park.
Deputy Chief Leslin gave a brief overview of the 70 Night to Unite block parties. He
informed residents that the Frolics was a good event with minimal incidents and a good
opportunity for Police and public interaction.
Mr. Elholm introduced himself as the new Recreation Director for the City of Crystal. He
has his Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Recreation from the University of Minnesota.
He formally worked for Washington County and Three Rivers Park District.
Mr. Fortin reviewed various park projects including a new picnic shelter at Yunkers
Park, the removal of the tennis courts at Bassett Creek, and the addition of an irrigated
soccer field at Welcome Park. He informed residents about the new generation of
garbage cans the parks department will start using to replace the blue barrels.
A resident inquired about having a nature play area in the park. A resident suggested
putting picture of invasive weeds in the City Newsletter to help the residents identify
these weeds. A resident suggested that the city look into the University of Minnesota
Bee Squad program.
The residents were thanked for their attendance.
Minutes: August 2016 3
The neighborhood portion was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
The Park and Recreation Commission business meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm.
The commission welcomed the new Recreation Director, John Elholm
Nancy LaRoche gave the Chairperson report. She addressed some of the postings on
social media in regard to the removal of the tennis courts at Bassett Creek Park. The
commission discussed having a new process for communicating to the public when an
amenity at a park is being removed and putting a positive message out on new or
upcoming amenities or park improvements.
Council Member Kolb gave the City Council report during the neighborhood meeting.
Commissioner Haney gave an update on the Frolics. The event had nice weather and
was well attended.
Commissioner Mueller gave a Crystal Fund report that talked about future fundraising
ideas like a community capture the flag event and hosting a plant sale.
Questions/updates on the reports: The commission would like to get more detailed park
rental information as part of the monthly report. There was a suggestion to updated
pictures of parks on the website.
Commissioner Haney motioned to approve the June minutes; Commissioner Jungroth
seconded the motion. The minutes for June were approved as written.
Other business item was the Becker Park Outreach survey and utilizing Nextdoor.com
as an avenue to get the survey out.
Commissioner Kolb made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Haney
seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 pm.
Lei-Lani Fischer
Recorder