16-10 Approved Commission Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
October 12, 2016
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm. Commission
members in attendance were: Nancy LaRoche, Erin Kolb, Lynn Haney, Mark Novak, Meredith
Torres-Walsh, Lori Merriam and Guy Mueller. Also present were Elizabeth Dahl from the City
Council; and Scott Berggren, Brad Fortin and John Elholm from the city staff.
Commissioner Kolb made a motion to approve the September minutes; Commissioner Torres-
Walsh seconded the motion. The minutes for September were approved as written.
Commissioner LaRoche gave the chairperson report. She discussed the openings on the
commission resulting from the resignation of Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
member Bamba, and the potential resignation of Commission member Hildre. Mr. Elholm will
look into who is able to be involved in new commission interviews.
The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRC) would also like an agenda item added for
public input time, modeled after City Council meetings.
Mr. Elholm discussed the park system and Becker Park master plans. A Request for Proposals
(RFP) was sent to three consulting firms that do this type of work. The consultant that is chosen
will build on planning efforts and surveys already completed by the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission and others.
Mr. Elholm has met with Three Rivers Park District staff to discuss a potential partnership for
upgrades to MAC Park. The setting of the park fits well with the park district’s mission, and
Crystal staff will continue to work with them to further explore partnership options.
Mr. Elholm reviewed the Open Meeting Law (OML) as it relates to the PRC. Commissioners
were reminded not to ‘reply all’ with e-mails and to be careful to not discuss commission
business when at social gatherings - like park events.
Reports were given by Ms. Dahl for the City Council, Mr. Fortin for park maintenance, and Mr.
Berggren for park programming. Mr. Mueller gave a report for the Crystal Fund, which included
discussion on a donation from the fund for two new ‘expression’ swings and one replacement
handicap accessible swing.
Other Business / Community News – Ms. Haney reminded commissioners of an upcoming
Crystal Frolics meeting. There was also a discussion on park photographs on the web site.
Recreation staff has updated many photos and they continue to update pages as photographs
are obtained. PRC members would like to be added to the Recreation brochure each season.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 12, 2016
Mr. Mueller made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Haney seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 2 at 7:00 pm – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder